Girls Inc. of the Valley Kicked Off Girls Inc. Week and Girls Inc. Together - Day of Giving with a S
Children’s Book Author, Lesléa Newman
Holyoke, MA – Girls Inc. of the Valley unveiled their newly renovated program space yesterday, on May 1st, 2025, to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of all girls and alumni leading up to Girls Inc. Week 2025 and Girls Inc. Together - Day of Giving. Girls Inc. of the Valley is encouraging the community to support them in addressing a critical issue facing youth today: mental health.
Girls Inc. of the Valley is joining forces with 50+ other Girls Inc. affiliates throughout the United States and Canada to join them in Girls Inc. Week and Girls Inc. Together - A Day of Giving, to support the creation of a more balanced and sustainable future for girls. Girls Inc. of the Valley’s research-based curriculum provides a difference you can see; as their participant’s self-confidence grows, so do their social, emotional, and academic skills.
Through the generosity of so many they were able to renovate their program space in an effort to inspire generations of future leaders. Guests and attendees had the opportunity to walk through Girls Inc. of the Valley’s newly renovated program space yesterday, Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at Girls Inc. of the Valley located at 480 Hampden Street, Holyoke, MA. Guests even had the opportunity to hear from award-winning children’s book author, and keynote speaker, Lesléa Newman.
The event was an opportunity to engage a variety of audiences in conversation around topics that are important to all girls. Girls Inc. of the Valley is asking the community to join them in breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health and championing the actions girls are taking to support their peers and communities. Girls Inc. Week will be taking place from Monday, May 5th, to Friday, May 9th, 2025, and will culminate in the second-annual network-wide virtual fundraiser, Girls Inc. Together - A Day of Giving, taking place on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. Donations continue to be accepted, and all proceeds will support Girls Inc. of the Valley’s research-based programming, and improve access to, and quality of, mental health and wellness support.
Mental health is important at every stage of life and is critical for a girl’s success in school. It is evident from statistics compiled by the CDC that our communities are currently facing a mental health crisis among youth. Based on the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance of 2023, in 2023, almost 53% of female students in the U.S. experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during 2023, and over 27% seriously considered attempting suicide. This issue persists not only in the United States but in Canada as well, where emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems affect approximately 1.2 million children, yet fewer than 20% receive appropriate treatment. Girls Inc. Affiliates report that world issues have contributed to trauma and mental health concerns for girls.
Mental health impacts girls' and young women’s ability to lead healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives. There are a variety of environmental and social factors that contribute to the deteriorating mental health among girls. Even though mental health issues are treatable, girls may not receive the services they need if their schools and communities do not have the necessary resources. By supporting this cause, the community can help provide funding for programs that promote trauma-informed practices, training, and healing-centered engagement for children and families who may have experienced trauma. All those who have shown support for Girls Inc. of the Valley have helped to ensure that resources in schools are tailored to students’ specific needs and girls gain access to more inclusive mental health and wellness education.
To be part of this effort, make a donation, and help all kids feel their best, please contact Sasha at 413-335-0059 or sviands@girlsincvalley.org.
Girls Inc. of the Valley thanks their generous sponsors—bankESB, BonaVita Aesthetics, Comcast, Keiter Construction, Latka Printing, PeoplesBank, Sourcepass, and The Collins Companies—for their unwavering commitment to uplifting youth and making this celebration—and the ongoing work to support girls’ mental health—possible.
“We’re not only proud to support Girls Inc. of the Valley — we’re honored to walk alongside them in their mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold,” said Chrissy Kiddy, VP of Corporate Responsibility at PeoplesBank. “From our associates serving on the board and committees, to matching associate donations dollar for dollar, to cheering on every step of the Her Future, Our Future campaign — we believe deeply in this work.”
“Comcast believes in helping to foster the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators to build a future of unlimited possibilities,” said Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region. “We’re proud to support Girls Inc. Week and similar programs across western Massachusetts that create opportunities for individuals to thrive.”
Girls Inc. of the Valley is asking the community to participate in Girls Inc. Week and Girls Inc. Together to shine a spotlight on youth mental health, while celebrating the resilience, strength, and proactive spirit of girls. Help them build a sisterhood of support across the Girls Inc. national network.
If interested, or have questions, please contact Meghan Rothschild at (413) 218-4994 or meghan@chikmedia.us.
PHOTOS ATTACHED, Credit Hillary Lynn Photography
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Girls Inc. of the Valley is a leading nonprofit committed to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold by providing them with educational development programs that are research-driven and designed to meet the specific needs of girls. Girls Inc. of the Valley serves youth ages 8-18 from the greater-Holyoke, Springfield, and Chicopee, MA areas.
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Meghan Rothschild President & Chief Badass, Chikmedia
Guests Received an Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Newly Renovated Program Space and Heard from