Grant Funds Development of a New School-Based Pilot Program for Middle School
Girls
NEW YORK, N.Y., APRIL 3, 2007 – Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced today that it received a one-year $200,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation to support their new school-based enrichment pilot program, School Success Clubs, for girls in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades in Westchester County, Boston and New York City
School Success Clubs offer girls in underserved communities the opportunity to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership
Experience before, during and after school. Inherent in Girl Scout curricula and activities, there are 3 “keys” that unlock
the Leadership Experience: Discover, Connect and Take Action.
“School Success Clubs provide a safe environment while ensuring that the girls are being properly equipped with the
education and peer support that they will need to face the challenges and changing climate of the 21st century,” said Kathy
Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “The grant has allowed over 120 girls in these designated communities to
participate in a science, technology, engineering, math or financial literacy based-curriculum that also encourages them to
use the knowledge they gain in the program to take action in their own lives and initiate change in their communities.”
“We are proud to fund a program that will give young women many of the tools they need to overcome obstacles and succeed in life,” said Chris Park, president of the New York Life Foundation. “The curriculum will incorporate academic topics like science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as life skills, like career exploration and financial literacy. They’re often overlooked subjects for girls, and they’re needed to build a solid academic foundation and build self-esteem, preparing them to become future leaders.”
Girl Scout Councils located in Westchester County, Boston and New York City have received funds to oversee the
implementation of School Success Clubs locally. Currently there are six clubs (two in Staten Island, two in Westchester
County and two in the Boston area), with over 120 girls participating.
In Westchester County, the curriculum is primarily focused on financial literacy, as requested by the individual schools. Girls are learning budgeting skills, goal setting and maintaining financial responsibility. Activities began with short-term financial goals, such as developing budgets for holiday shopping and learning to be an informed consumer.
In the Boston area, girls are combining financial literacy with entrepreneurial skills to create a “virtual” snack shop
for their school. They created a budget for their business, conducted a needs assessment, and researched the cost to
purchase supplies, rent space and decorate their shop. Through the thorough investigation of local rules and regulations,
the group learned to overcome setbacks in their plan.
In Staten Island, girls are focusing on environmental science and exploring the causes and effects of global climate
change. They were able to create an action plan for their school to address the lack of recycling in their cafeteria.
Girls at all locations participated in the local Girl Scout cookie sales to further strengthen their goal-setting and
financial literacy skills.
Girl Scouts of the USA
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.6 million
girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development and builds girls of
courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The organization strives to serve girls from every
corner of the United States and its territories. Girls Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates
attending American or international schools in 90 countries worldwide. For more information on how to join, volunteer,
reconnect, or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org
About The New York Life Foundation
The New York Life Foundation is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports
organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn
and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Since 1979, the New York Life Foundation has donated more than $100 million to national and local non-profit organizations. Please visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.newyorklifefoundation.org
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