Mission

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong smart and bold.

What We Do

Girls Incorporated of Lynn's mission is to inspire all girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold by meeting the needs of girls in the community, developing girls' capacity to overcome the effects of discrimination, be self-sufficient, responsible members of the community, and serve as advocates for all girls. We have been serving the changing needs of girls, 5-18 years old, and their families from Lynn, Massachusetts, for 78 years, by providing essential resources and challenging programs to disadvantaged, low-income girls. Girls Inc. is a local affiliate of the national Girls Inc. organization with roots dating back to 1864, which provides vital educational programs to millions of girls in America and Canada, particularly those in high-risk, under-served areas. We benefit from the extensive research carried out at the Girls Inc. National Resource Center, where they develop, test and disseminate best practice curriculum models for girls.

The Girls Inc. Experience, (GIE), which sets us apart from other programs, is to focus on the "whole" girl in a pro-girl and girls-only environment that is physically, socially and emotionally safe, and confirms that girls deserve to reach their full potential. The Girls Inc. Experience is based on the social and emotional support needed for success in school and careers, and consists of people, an environment, and programming that together, empower girls to succeed. Trained staff and volunteers build lasting, mentoring relationships that are physically and emotionally safe, where girls find a sisterhood of support with shared drive, mutual respect, and high expectations. Hands-on, research-based programs provide girls with the skills, attitude and knowledge to set goals, overcome obstacles, and improve academic performance, inspiring girls to complete high school and go onto post-secondary education. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also works with policymakers to advocate for legislation and initiatives that increase opportunities for girls. We envision a world in which every girl values her whole self, discovers her inherent strengths and achieves her goals.

This past year, we served over 1,500+ girls in after-school and summer programs. Our programs are divided into three categories: School-age Child Care, a year-round licensed program for girls ages 5-13, with a focus on literacy; Middle School programs for girls ages 12-15; including Odyssey, an after school program offering academic support during the school year; and Eureka!, a math/science/sports summer camp. Our Teen programs for girls ages 14-18, include peer leadership programs; Part of the Solution (substance misuse education and prevention); Beach Sisters (environmental science), Teen Health Ambassadors (healthy sexuality); Career Path, a job readiness program; Teen Leadership Academy; College Mentoring for juniors and seniors to prepare them for post-secondary education; our Learning Center, which offers access to laptops and printers and a quiet place for teens to complete school work; and Woke Women, a social justice program created and lead by our teens for teens to explore topics they often don't have a safe space for in school. It is an opportunity for Girls Inc. of Lynn to provide a safe forum for our teens and their peers to discuss the racial and social justice issues they face today and their leadership role in positive solutions.

In the fall of 2019, we started to provide programming in Boston. The Boston School Program is designed to provide after school programming for girls within Boston Public Schools. Our program provides a brave space for girls to build community with each other and develop a toolbox of strategies to lean into their personal power. We empower girls to think critically about the issues impacting them and their communities with the desired outcome that they will use their voices to create change. Girls participate in activities including literacy programs, academic tutoring, and leadership skill development.


All of our core programs are based on the Girls Inc. Experience for empowerment and personal development, including academic enrichment and support, life skills instruction and activities focused on healthy living. Our programs include literacy, STEM, academic support, peer leadership, community action, mentoring, and college & career readiness. The programs are holistic, compensatory, intentional, and focused on the needs of girls, providing a wide variety of opportunities that low-income girls might not otherwise experience.