“Every Girl Scout has her own unique story to tell. However, behind the sashes and smiles of 14,000 Girl Scouts, nearly 1,400 of our girls live in underserved communities, and their stories include countless challenges that don’t always result in positive endings. YOU can help Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois empower every girl to take control of her destiny and script her own successful journey.”

Since its inception in 1912, Girl Scouts has been dedicated to providing opportunities for all girls to strive for excellence and grow into accomplished citizens. In this tradition, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois developed an Outreach Program to serve girls in our most underserved communities. * In at-risk neighborhoods, GSSI conducts Girl Scout programs during school hours to provide a secure, nurturing environment In neighborhoods with low volunteer rates, we connect girls with positive adult role models. Where reliable transportation is a concern, we bring Girl Scouting to a convenient, safe location. Through our Outreach Program, GSSI provides Girl Scouting to girls in 20 elementary schools, including eight schools in East St. Louis and Cahokia, three low-income housing complexes and several community service agencies across southern Illinois. We offer girl scouting in detention centers and group homes to provide support, guidance and leadership skills so these girls can turn their lives around.

GSSI’s Outreach Program provides opportunities for girls from disadvantaged areas to expand their horizons, explore their full potential, learn valuable life skills and build character. Girls explore math and science, healthy living, financial literacy…and develop accountability, self-confidence and problem solving skills so they too can become strong, successful women who make the world a better place.

Our Girl Scouts need your help! In 2013, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will need over $350,000 to support vital Outreach Programs so every girl has the opportunity to positively fulfill her potential and write a happy ending to her life story. Your support will help GSSI provide even more girls with enriching leadership programs and together, we can help all our girls develop courage, confidence and character and become future leaders for our communities, our state and our world!