Courtesy photo.
CARPINTERIA — Community members joined Girls Inc. of Carpinteria staff, board members, girls and alumnae for a special event on Thursday, July 29 – ‘Cocktails and Conversations’ – to commemorate Girls Inc.’s 50th anniversary. Carpinteria Mayor Wade Nomura, Councilmember Natalia Alarcon and longtime supporters of the organization, including past board members Clyde Freeman, Sharon Organista and Gail Persoon, were among the guests to help kick off the celebrations.
“Thanks to the vision and tireless efforts of so many community members, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is proudly serving hundreds of girls and empowering them to understand, value and assert their rights,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. “As we celebrate 50 years of providing transformative programming, we are grateful to all of Girls Inc.’s supporters over the years, including the visionaries who founded and helped grow the effort to what it is today.”
In 1971, Dorothy Campbell and Sara Ellinwood had a vision to provide programming for local girls whose mothers worked, so they would have a place to go after school. With ten girls in Campbell’s own home, the Girls Club was formed, which later moved into a small bungalow on Maple Street and ultimately became Girls Inc. of Carpinteria. Today, 50 years later, the organization serves over 1,000 youth in the Carpinteria Valley and Ventura County through research-based programs.
Mayor Nomura presented Girls Inc. of Carpinteria with a mayoral recognition in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary and “its success inspiring healthy, educated, and independent young women in the Carpinteria Valley.”
Following the program, community members had the opportunity to take a tour of the campus with Girls Inc. of Carpinteria alumna and incoming California Lutheran University student Laura Flores; mingle with staff and board members; and learn more about Girls Inc.’s programming that empowers local girls to reach their full potential.
For more information about Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, please call (805) 684-6364 or visit www.girlsinc-carp.org.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria is a member of Girls Incorporated®, a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Our programming focuses on the development of the whole girl: we deliver life-changing programs and experiences designed to equip girls to overcome serious barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. A combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment and research-based programming prepares girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their community. Girls Inc. of Carpinteria currently serves more than 1100 youth in the Carpinteria Valley and Ventura County, from Pre-K through 12th grade. To learn more, become a volunteer or offer support, please visit www.girlsinc-carp.org/.