AMITYVILLE, NY (TIP):  Senator John E. Brooks (SD-8)  presented  a $10,000 funding award to Girls Incorporated of Long Island (Girls Inc.) to support ‘The Girls Inc. Experience’ program at two schools within the Amityville Union Free School District. Working in partnership with schools and local organizations, Girls Inc. focuses on the development of the whole girl – she learns to value herself, take risks, and discover and develop her inherent strengths. The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming helps equip girls with the tools to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and to grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls. A local affiliate of the national Girls Incorporated organization, Girls Inc. of Long Island provides school and community-based programming that serves the unique needs of girls, aged 5-18, living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. With ‘The Girls Inc. Experience’ program, a variety of research-based curricula are delivered in age-appropriate lessons at school sites, during trips, and at workshops and empowerment days.

“Our girls are facing a litany of issues in today’s world, ranging from mental, physical, and emotional health problems to the unrealistic expectations heaped upon them from family, friends, and outside influences like social media and television shows,” said Senator John E. Brooks. “It makes organizations like Girls Inc. — who work directly with girls to break down negative influences and stereotypes to foster a healthy sense of self-worth — all the more important. I am very grateful that an organization like this one has a presence within our Long Island community to support our girls, and I will continue to do all I can to assist them in carrying out their mission.”

The funding award, being dispersed between Park Avenue Memorial Elementary and Edmund W. Miles Middle Schools, will aid in funding ‘The Girls Inc. Experience’, after school programs designed to address the unique issues girls on Long Island face on a daily basis. By providing interactive hands-on experiences, girls become empowered and gain the essential tools and life skills to be strong, smart and bold. Through Girls Inc.’s school-based programming, girls will participate in 30 weekly sessions throughout the school year for ongoing engagement. The holistic approach, to specifically address building self-esteem and choosing healthy behaviors, addresses the whole girl, physically, socially, emotionally and academically, helping them to successfully navigate the world.

“We are immensely grateful for Senator Brooks’ funding,” said Renee Flagler, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Long Island. “With his additional support, we will be able to reach more girls at Amityville Union Free School District and provide them with the resources they need to be healthy, educated and independent future leaders in our community.”  Dr. Edward Fale, Superintendent of Schools – Amityville Union Free School District said, “On behalf of the Amityville School District, I want to thank Senator Brooks for the generous grant he has secured to benefit our district’s partnership with Girls Inc. of Long Island. I look forward to what our partnership with Girls Inc. will provide our students, inspiring them to be ‘strong, smart and bold.’ We truly appreciate the continued efforts of the Senator and our other elected officials in ensuring that our students are provided with additional opportunities to grow, expand their horizons and be as successful as they can. Thank you, Senator Brooks.” Said Denise Graham, Assistant Principal – Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, “We are excited for our students to have the opportunity to immerse themselves with Girls Inc. so that they will realize their worth, their intelligence and have confidence equipped to make a difference in the world!”