A Girls Inc. member for several years, Azaria Jones is an 11-year old student at John Herbert Phillips Academy. She participates in the GATE (honors) Program and also does many activities as a member of Birmingham Park and Recreation including track, soccer, golf, and gym hockey.
Azaria loves spending time with family, particularly during the summer. In her spare time, she loves to read.
June 1 – Summer Program begins in Bessemer & Crestwood
June 7 – Summer Program begins in Walker Co.
July 10 – Crestwood Center Yard Sale
August 5 – Celebration Luncheon
August 9 – After-school Program begins in Bessemer & Crestwood
May 24, 2010
Please read our May 2010 e-Newsletter for the latest Girls Inc. of Central Alabama news.
November 9, 2009
Girls Inc. of Central Alabama Recognized as Outstanding Affiliate of the Year
On November 7 Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, which is one of over 100 Girls Inc. nonprofits nation-wide, received the Outstanding Affiliate of the Year Award for the south-eastern region in the large budget category.
The award is provided to Girls Inc. affiliates achieving excellence in service to the girls and young women in their communities. The local group received the award in honor of their work in the following categories: trustee development, staff development, advocacy activities, national and regional participation in Girls Inc. activities, and programming. Last year Girls Inc. of Central Alabama served nearly 7,000 youth.
September 16, 2009
Girls Inc. of Central Alabama Works to Reconnect with Alumnae
Throughout its 71-year history, Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama has positively impacted the lives of thousands of girls in the Birmingham area. Hoping to reconnect with many of the women they once served, the Girls Inc. staff is currently working to reestablish contact with past program participants.
Originally called Girls Club of Birmingham, the nonprofit organization was founded to assist young women moving to the city to seek employment. Over the years, Girls Inc. has adapted its services to focus on inspiring girls ages 6-18 to be strong, smart, and bold. Since 1945, Girls Inc. has provided memberships for its center-based after-school and summer programs. Many women who grew up participating in these programs still live in the Birmingham area and a few remain actively involved with the organization; including Board of Directors member Mittie Cannon and Junior Board Members Autumm Jeter and Jamika Kirk.
“It is difficult to track our members once they complete our programs. Between changes in schedules, work commitments, and addresses, it’s almost impossible to maintain contact with young adults. However, we’re very interested to learn about our alumnae’s lives and accomplishments, so we’re doing everything we can to reestablish contact,” said Erin Melaney, Development Director.
Currently, Girls Inc. is utilizing FaceBook, the local media, and their existing small network of alumni to reach out to others. They plan to host an Alumnae Homecoming event in the coming months that will allow members to reconnect with their friends and Girls Inc. staff.
If you are a former member who would like to reconnect with Girls Inc., please email Erin Melaney.
June 19, 2009
Girls Inc. members exhibit photography at Museum of Art
Sixteen Girls Inc. members made their debut as local artists at the opening of a photography exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art on June 13. The teens, all members of the Girls Inc. Crestwood Center, participated in an outreach program organized by the museum’s Photography Guild and Education Department. The six-week program allowed the girls to work closely with experienced photographers who taught them the art of capturing and editing images.
Participants were encouraged to explore and document their lives and relationships with family and their community. The result is an inspiring collection of images that reveal the lives of 21st century girls in Birmingham.
The Museum's photography and creative writing outreach program began in 1996 and was originally designed for teenagers in grades 6-10. This year, with funding provided by the Photography Guild, the program focused on the special needs of teenage girls. It teaches the arts of writing and photography as a vehicle for participants to express their own uniqueness in a positive way.
See pictures from the event on our Photos page.
