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Girl Scouts of Northern California and Bill Wilson Center Thriving Together
Every Thursday throughout the year, a handful of teen girls come together for their weekly Girl Scout meeting and programming. Some of the highlights include learning about composting in the community garden, participating in a ropes course, and riding horses on the beach. They also love their current curriculum module, Taste Buds, where they explore topics that relate to building healthy habits & supporting sisterhood by exploring different foods with a culminating class of throwing a dinner party and sharing community together.
But what may sound like an ordinary Girl Scout meeting has extraordinary significance for the girls at Bill Wilson Center in San Jose. The Thursday programming at Bill Wilson Center specifically serves its participants, runaway and unhoused youth. Up to 50 girls each year enjoy the Girl Scouts Got Choices programming in this long-standing partnership. For many of the girls, Girl Scout programming is the only activity they attend. They are truly free to be themselves and enjoy activities without judgment.
Everyone who participates in the program knows that they are welcome. No matter race, background, or gender, anyone who identifies with the Girl Scout experience is welcome to join. A true partner, Bill Wilson Center staff collaborate with Girl Scout leaders to make sure the girls receive the support they need, no matter the difficulties they may be experiencing. As Bill Wilson Center CEO Josh Selo shares, “The culture that has been built is one of no judgment or shame where participants can share space and help one another. For many of these girls, this is the highlight of their week.”
With their shared values of belonging, impact, and learning, Bill Wilson Center and Girl Scouts of Northern California are natural partners, as they have been for twenty years. The Bill Wilson Center staff is a huge asset to the program, and Bill Wilson Center also contributes meeting space, field trip support, and a constant willingness to collaborate. Part of the mission of Bill Wilson Center includes supporting permanent change in families and youth, and the impact of the Girl Scouts Got Choices programming at Bill Wilson Center goes far beyond just providing a fun activity for these girls. It offers them a safe haven where they can truly be themselves, free from the challenges and judgments they may face elsewhere in their lives. For many of these girls, who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of it, the Thursday Girl Scout meetings are a lifeline, a consistent source of joy and support in otherwise uncertain times.
“These life-changing experiences depend on the generosity of donors like you. Your support is the cornerstone of our success.” says Bri Seoane, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California. Your contributions enable the continuation of partnerships like this one, providing these invaluable experiences to girls who need them the most. Your support helps cover the costs of materials, field trips, and other resources that make each Girl Scout meeting a memorable and transformative experience.
By donating to the Girl Scouts Got Choices program and others like it, you're not just giving girls a chance to have fun and learn new skills - you're giving them hope for a brighter future. Your investment in their well-being and development today will pay dividends in the years to come, as these resilient young women grow into leaders who will make a positive impact in their communities. Join us in making a difference in the lives of these girls by donating today. Together, we can ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
March 12, 2024
