Despite financial challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Girls Inc. of Sarasota has been able to continue providing life-changing programming thanks to the generous support of the COVID-19 Response Initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. While the core elements of the program, including research-based curriculum, trusted mentoring relationships, and a pro-girl environment have remained constant, the pandemic has impacted the organization and the families it serves dramatically. 

President & CEO of Girls Inc. of Sarasota, Angie Stringer says, “We have seen the percentage of girls we serve on scholarship double since 2019, and we know that the majority of our families are experiencing significant hardship due to the fallout of the pandemic. The families we are currently serving have been some of our highest need families.”

At the start of summer 2021, both Gulf Coast and Barancik Foundation provided Girls Inc. with grants to cover the increased need for summer camp scholarships. As the school year began amidst the rapid spread of the delta variant, Girls Inc. was forced to cancel their largest fundraiser of the year. Once again, the foundations along with community donors stepped in to cover the loss, which enabled the organization to fund more scholarships for its afterschool program.

“Many families in our region cannot afford after-school care. Girls Inc. of Sarasota not only provides a safe and caring environment for girls to grow and thrive, but they also provide critical services to families in need,” says Mark Pritchett, President|CEO of Gulf Coast. “We are honored to support their exemplary efforts.”

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