Dear Friends of Girls Inc.,

• At Girls Inc., we dare to think big and bring innovative solutions to the table of age old social problems--we are making a difference. Just in the last year Girls Inc. has:
  • Reached over 2,500 girls with our strong, smart, and bold programming
    
  • Inspired 100% of participating girls to attend school regularly and delay pregnancy
    
  • Launched the Associates Mentoring Program, engaging 60 girls and 20 mentors, raising over $50,000 in contributions
    
  • Reached 15,000 girls in 10 cities nationwide through our locally developed Allies in Action program
  I am proud of our accomplishments and--most of all--proud of our girls. Thank you for your continued support of girls and all girl-related issues. I look forward to celebrating our girls and accomplishments with you at the Heart of a Woman Luncheon.
  
  Warm Regards,
  
  Annette Klinefelter
  
  Giving to Girls Means Giving to Girls

  Feature Story
  Join Girls Inc., Supporters, and Business Leaders for Lunch!
  On Thursday, October 16, Girls Inc. will host the Heart of a Woman Luncheon to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our many volunteers, donors, and community leaders that have prepared more than 10,000 girls for a confident and economically-independent adulthood.
  
  The Heart of a Woman Luncheon gathers more than 350 local girls, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and community and business leaders from across the Portland area to honor the following individuals for their strong, smart, and bold service and achievement this past year:
  

• Girl of the Year: Jami M.
  
• Volunteer of the Year: Cindy Tortorici
  
• Business Partner of the Year: The Standard
  
  Last year at Heart of a Woman, Girls Inc. launched the Associates Mentoring Program (AMP) to offer girls ages 10-18 collective workplace mentoring during the workday to develop the communication and problem-solving skills necessary for a successful and rewarding career. To close year one of the program, AMP culminates with a competition among the participating teams of girls and companies to decide the best project of the year. Girls on the winning team receive a 529 college savings plan valued at $750--due to the generosity of Regence and Umpqua Bank matching contributions--for her family to continue to contribute. AMP projects will be displayed and winners announced during the Luncheon; participating companies include The Standard, REI, PGE, Recess Fitness, CH2M Hill, and Northwest Staffing.
  
  Please register today as space is running out. See below for Luncheon details. We look forward to seeing you at the Luncheon and seeing your continued support of Girls Inc. throughout the year.

  Upcoming Events & Activities
  Heart of a Woman Annual Celebration Luncheon
  Thursday, October 16, 2008
  11:30 Luncheon, Heritage Ballroom
  Governor Hotel
  Downtown Portland
  Tickets $25 per person
  Register today--space is limited!
  
  Join us & bring a friend to our Open House
  Does Girls Inc. intrigue you? Learn more about this fascinating and progressive organization. There are so many ways you can contribute to our mission!
  When & Where

  • November 12, 2008, from 5-7:30 pm
    
  • Girls Inc. office: 1233 SE Stark, Portland
    
  • Refreshments & h'or d'oeuvres served

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  For Girls
  
  Kick-off Skating Party
  • October 30, 2008
    
  • Oaks Bottom Park
    
  • Details to follow
  Wild in the City: Girl-Powered City Herb Walk
  • What: Girls Inc. and local herbalist Jewelie Randall will take a girl-powered, herb walk through the city
  • When: Saturday, October 11, 2008, 10 a.m.
  • Where: TBA (somewhere in the city!)
  E-mail or call Ellie at 503-230-0054 for more info or to register. *Registration deadline is Monday, October 6th*

  Sponsor Spotlight
  Nike
  Girls Inc. would love to thank Nike for all that they have done and will do for girls in coming months. In addition to providing an outstanding location for our Allies in Action summer camp, they will also join Girls Inc. as an Associates Mentoring Program (AMP) business partner.
  
  As an AMP business partner, Nike's Global Operations and Technology (GOT) Women's Network will mentor a group of girls at the Nike campus over the next 9 months with a vision to connect, inspire, and lead.
  
  Nike's Global Operations & Technology (GOT) Women's Network brings women together to:

  • Inspire personal & professional growth
    
  • Connect women and community
    
  • Increase Nike knowledge
    
  • Network within GOT & Nike
    
  • Bring visibility to career and leadership opportunities
    
  • Showcase skills and talents of Nike women
  Thank you Nike for empowering all girls to be strong, smart, bold, and prepared for a confident and economically-independent adulthood!

  Did You Know...
  Six years ago, Portland residents decided to make children a higher priority by passing the Children's Levy and creating the Portland Children's Investment Fund.
  
  This has proven to be a worthy investment
  Since 2002, the Children's Investment Fund has delivered on its promises to kids and the community by investing in cost-effective programs that have made a real difference in the lives of over 16,000 children each year. Its programs have:
  

• Improved academic achievement
  
• Increased school attendance
  
• Decreased behavioral problems
  
• Reduced the amount of child abuse in the city
  
  Early intervention will save us millions in the long run.
  Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon could not continue the work we do without the financial support of the Children's Investment Fund (CHIF). In fact, CHIF finances 1/3 of our School-Based sites where we inspire all girls to be strong, smart, bold, and prepared for a confident and economically-independent adulthood.
  
  Get involved today - visit www.childrenslevy.com
  Your voice is needed more than ever in passing this important measure for Portland's children!

  Girls Inc. in the News
  "The only person I want to be is me."
  Girls Inc. Celebrates the Importance of Girls' Voices through the Dear World public education campaign
  
  At the national level, Girls Inc. launched the Dear World public education campaign as part of an on-going commitment by Girls Inc. to show girls that their voices are trusted, respected, and valued and to raise awareness about issues that affect girls' everyday lives.
  
  The campaign includes television public service announcements (PSAs) and a web site dedicated to giving girls a positive place to express their daily realities, hopes, fears, and dreams. View behind-the-scenes footage, and interactive opportunities for girls and adults to share their own Dear World messages here

  Giving to Girls Inc. Means Giving to Girls
  Contribute to the AMP Team College Fund
  We invite you or your company to match the $250 gift that Girls Inc. will donate to each girl on the winning AMP team's 529 College Savings Plan. Umpqua Bank and Regence have already matched Girls Inc. on the $250 for each girl--bringing each girl's winnings to $750. The winning team will be announced at the Heart of a Woman luncheon on October 16th.
  
  To get in on the match or for more information
  Call Girls Inc., 503-230-0055, and tell us you want to match our contribution! More information on donation opportunities or the Associates Mentoring Program may be found on our web site.
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  Become a Girls Inc. Volunteer!
  Recruiting Volunteer Co-Facilitators
  Using Girls Inc. curriculum, co-facilitators assist the lead facilitator with after school girls groups designed to help reduce relational aggression, build self-esteem, and cultivate communication and leadership skills. Groups meet weekly, starting between 2-3:30 pm, for 3 hours. Volunteers must possess the following criteria to be considered:

  • Experience working with youth
    
  • Effective oral communication
    
  • Willingness to be a team player
    
  • Must attend the quarterly curriculum trainings and monthly staff meetings
  If you are inspired to work with girls in this capacity and have availability, please contact Alissa, Volunteer Coordinator, at 503-230-0054.

  Sound Off--Join Our Forum!
  Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon Launches New Web Site!
  Our new Web site serves as a valuable resource, including tips and tools, for the whole girl community--girls, parents, educators, and counselors. Drop us a line to let us know what you think!
  
  Get the Forum Started!
  Send us any of your comments, ideas, and inspirations to make our community a better place to grow strong, smart, bold, and economically independent girls and women. We will post your letters on our Web site to share with other Girls Inc. supporters.
  
  We look forward to hearing from all of you!