Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Receive Gifts that Support Local Scouting

DALLAS, TX, March 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) is proud to announce that it has received gifts from the Posey Family Foundation, Texas Instruments, Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, NBCUniversal Foundation, Capital One Bank, Grainger, and Dallas Women's Foundation that help fund local Girl Scout programs.

"Something is going on with girls today - they're backing down, opting out, and shying away from leading," said Colleen Walker, chief executive officer for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. "They're bullied by their peers, pressured by industries that celebrate unattainable beauty, and backing away from science and math. When corporations and foundations invest in Girl Scouts, we are able to provide the mentorship and role models who support our strong national curriculum to bring about positive outcomes which will lead to more successful lives for our girls. The investment these donors have made in girls will get her there; and when girls succeed, so does society."

The Posey Family Foundation is continuing to support the Las Mariposas de Girl Scouts in select Dallas area schools, including Uplift Education schools. Las Mariposas de Girl Scouts, or The butterflies of Girl Scouts, is one of three GSNETX community programs. The purpose of this program is to eliminate the language barrier that threatens the academic success of girls who do not speak English as their primary language by providing supplemental educational activities that help build courage, confidence, and character. The afterschool program serves 750 elementary-age girls through educational enrichment activities, promoting English-language skills, career development and cultural appreciation.

Texas Instruments will be sponsoring College Journey 2013 - Senior/Ambassador Week. Through College Journey, GSNETX will provide high school girls the opportunity to spend a week at the University of Texas at Dallas for an intense exploration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. During this summer event, girls will live on campus, participate in hands-on learning opportunities and network with professionals. Texas Instruments also will sponsor "Super STEM Saturdays," which will allow girls interested in STEM careers to take field trips hosted and facilitated by STEM professionals that have a passion for their careers and getting girls into non-traditional professions. Texas Instruments will host one of the tours.

The NBCUniversal Foundation's grant also will be used to educate girls in the areas of STEM, particularly in a camp setting. Camp Whispering Cedars, built in 1921, is the largest urban camp for girls in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and will be transformed into a Center of Excellence for STEM. This "living laboratory" will provide girls the unique opportunity to explore STEM careers, an area under-represented by women in the workforce. This re-developed Center of Excellence for STEM will allow girls and community partners to engage in hands-on STEM programming and to experience the natural environment through traditional outdoor adventure and exploration.

The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation and the Dallas Women's Foundation have both contributed to Girl Scouts Direct, a GSNETX community program. Girl Scouts Direct brings the benefits of Girl Scouting to 750 girls in 26 schools. The after-school program is designed to help at-risk girls find their personal paths into adulthood, and prepare them to meet education obstacles and peer pressure head on. This program uses traditional Girl Scout curriculum which is adapted to address the unique needs and challenges of each community served.

Capital One Bank's grant helps support another community program, Girl Scouting in the School Day. This program is a twelve session course designed to promote a healthy self-image and much needed social skills for 1,550 girls in Dallas County middle schools. This program promotes healthy behaviors and positive social skills while addressing current issues and trends affecting girls during what is often the most confusing and critical period of childhood.

The Grainger Foundation's gift will be used toward scholarships for girls who have completed their Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. This prestigious award is open only to girls in high school and challenges scouts to undertake a project that improves their community or the world. Gold Award recipients are eligible for scholarships and are considered a part of an elite group of women who have made a difference in the world.

For more information on giving to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, please visit http://www.gsnetx.org or contact Sharon Seagraves at 972-349-2426.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas:
Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization and is the largest pipeline for female leadership. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves nearly 35,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. For information on how to join, volunteer or donate to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas call (800) 442-2260 or visit http://www.gsnetx.org.