Girl Scouts launch Girltopia: Akron

Akron girls get training, funding to take on community issues with Knight Foundation support

Macedonia – Local Girl Scouts will have a unique opportunity to help shape the direction of the city, with the local launch of the Girltopia program.

Girltopia: Akron will kick-off in September with 75 Akron girls in grades 6-12 learning persuasive speaking, planning and networking – skills that will prepare them to complete ‘Take Action’ projects and become the women leaders of tomorrow.

“Girl Scouts have been committed to serving their communities for 100 years,” said Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Chief Executive Officer Daisy L. Alford-Smith, Ph.D.  “When you enlist help from girls who have a vested interest in the future of the city where they live, they will become engaged and feel empowered to make a difference.”

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is providing the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) with $50,000 in support for the program.

"To be Akron's leaders of tomorrow, girls today need practice in identifying and implementing solutions to our city's most pressing problems," said Jennifer Thomas, Akron program director for Knight Foundation. "We hope the Girl Scouts' new program helps build a generation of girls ready to promote a more informed and engaged Akron."

Girls will evaluate the community’s issues, whether it’s politics, social services, criminal justice or environmental, and develop networks and solutions to the most pressing problems. Girls will be encouraged to create an online submission (video, podcast, blog, etc.) that shares their project with others on the GSNEO website.  They will also use social media outlets to garner support for their individual projects. A panel of local community leaders, business owners and celebrities will be recruited to judge project submissions. GSNEO will award a total of $1,500 in mini grants based on judges’ review and votes from the public to help participants implement their projects.

This program will provide girls with the opportunity to discover their talents, connect with others to identify and solve problems, and feel empowered to make their city a better place.

Volunteers are needed.

Contact Director of Program, Emily Fletcher at program@gsneo.org or call 800-852-4474.
Media contact, Kim Graves at kgraves@gsneo.org or 330-983-0376.