Tahoe Youth & Family Services started “The Girl’s Project” in 2010 with the vision to empower high-risk young girls in our community to become more confident and influential women later in life. The Girl’s Project originally began in three of our local elementary schools — Tahoe Valley Elementary, Sierra House Elementary and Bijou Elementary — and has now expanded to include South Tahoe Middle School.

The Girl’s Project helps equip girls to meet their future with integrity and self-awareness, and has become a safe place for girls in their groups to share feelings, struggles and similarities. These groups also serve as a sounding board for the girls while discussing and contributing with each other in a variety of fun and educational activities.

Currently within our four schools, we have 124 girls signed up and our numbers are increasing each year. This is due in part to our Evidence Base group curriculum which we facilitate with the girls. Evidence Based practice is research findings resulting from the systematic collecting of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation of questions and testing leading through scientific research.

We are asking for community support. By contributing to The Girl’s Project you will allow this special and much needed program to continue and to grow. Your generous donations will help buy supplies for crafts, snacks, fun field trips, but most importantly help these high-risk girls to become future women leaders — not only in Lake Tahoe, but in society. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated and is tax deductible, as our organization is a nonprofit.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dee Dee Gooding

Girls Project Coordinator

South Lake Tahoe, Calif.