"Stand for the Silent"

Kids Who Care recently presented a production called "Stand for the Silent" at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. This production was inspired by the story of Kirk and Laura Smalley who lost their 11 year-old son, Ty, to suicide. Ty took his own life to escape years of constant bullying at school. In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, Stand for the Silent was born. 

12 girls from our Arlington program attended the play and gained a depth of knowledge about the effects of bullying.  One Girls Inc. member, Joanna, said, “The play helped me understand what to do in a bully situation and how to prevent bullying.”  Star, age 11 added, “Mr. Smalley’s speech was inspiring I want to STOP bullying.”

A few days after attending the event, Girls Inc. member Skylar age 11 told us “Mr. Smalley's story made me very sad, but it inspired me and two of my friends to make an anti-bullying club at my school.  I told my teacher about it and she said it was a great idea. I also told my counselor and I will soon meet with her to talk about it.” 

For more information on how to stop bullying, please visit www.stopbullying.gov.

Cinco de Mayo

 On Saturday May 5, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County participated in the Cinco de Mayo Parade and community fair in the Northside of Fort Worth. 

The girls proudly wore their Girls Inc. shirts as they marched the streets of Fort Worth.  They threw candy to eager children along the route and distributed program flyers to parents.

All photos taken are courtesy of "SG" of TTHS

It was a gorgeous day for a parade.  The girls had a great time waving to friends, family and neighbors throughout the parade route.  They look forward to doing it again next year! 

"Creating my bold future"

Last week, Girls Inc. of Tarrant County joined Girls Inc. organizations throughout the United States and Canada in celebrating Girls Inc. Week: Creating My Bold Future. Girls Inc. Week highlights how Girls Inc. programs prepare girls to be the success stories, innovators, and job creators of the future through educational programs, mentoring, and exposure to new fields. 

Throughout the week, girls in our programs in Arlington explored the range of occupations and possibilities that are open to them through presentations by guest visitors from a variety of occupations. The guest speakers gave the girls information on their occupations, the education needed, and what a typical day in their life is like.

Officer Stephanie Gillespie of the Arlington Police Department visited the girls Monday and shared information about her job including the dangers, rewards, and why she became a police officer. “I took a responsibility to protect and serve. Even when I am scared, I have courage because I know I’m doing the right thing,” says Gillespie.

Tenisha Foy, Petty Officer 1^st Class in the Navy, also visited the girls and shared information with them about boot camp, training, and told them that the benefits of being in the Navy far outweigh the sacrifices. “You can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it,” were her words of inspiration. 

Dianne Jones, Master Sergeant in the Air Force, informed the girls about her career in the Air Force and her passion to serve her country. She told the girls about the GI Bill and explained how it paid for her college and will later help her son attend too.

Volunteers from United Way of Tarrant County visited the girls one day and talked to them about building their resume to help in their careers. They also did a “Dream Wall” with the girls, which consisted of drawings, words and pictures from magazines showing the vision of their futures.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Girls Inc. Week activities and to all of the volunteers who came out to inspire the girls.