What We Do

Through the Girls Inc. Experience, our professionally trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, pro-girl environments, and programming that responds to the challenges girls face and supports their success in school, work, and life. We cultivate environments where girls are encouraged to take risks, learn from experiences, and grow.

Founded in 1999, Girls Inc. of the Central Coast (Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties) currently serves over 1,700 girls a year in 41 schools sites in 10 cities. We are a 501(c)(3) organization.

All programs are conducted after school at school sites. We have established productive working relationships with the schools, whose staff assist us with recruitment and program implementation. We are currently operating in Salinas, Seaside, Marina, Castroville, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, Hollister, and Watsonville at 8 high schools, 11 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools.

Girls Inc. of the Central Coast offers programs primarily facilitated by teens, in keeping with our commitment that participating girls and young women are active partners in program design and service delivery. Teen graduates from our high school program return as paid youth leaders to facilitate programs. They are confident, strong, and passionate about working in their communities as role models for younger girls—demonstrating a leadership model that not only provides these young women with practical skills and experience but also allows us to reach a broad spectrum of girls. Youth leaders experience personal life transformations while inspiring the girls they mentor to follow in their footsteps.