NORTHERN ILLINOIS — Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) is excited to announce the organization has been awarded a fifth year of an AmeriCorps federal grant. The over $120,000 grant will help fund Project Opportunity, a youth development and education program, throughout the organization’s service area. By accepting the grant, GSNI has committed to providing a substantial program match with private and in-kind funds.
Project Opportunity engages underserved girls, ages 5 to 18, at locations across northern Illinois, including Aurora, Carpentersville, DeKalb, Elgin, and parts of Boone, McHenry, and Winnebago Counties. The program provides the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) to girls affected by poverty and other risk factors. Many girls face barriers to participating in positive youth development programs, and AmeriCorps grant funding provides the resources and AmeriCorps members necessary to support the participation of over 600 girls in the Girl Scouts program.
In the fifth year of this AmeriCorps program, 20 AmeriCorps members will work with existing GSNI partners, including schools and community centers, as well as identify new partners and sites where GSNI can reach girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity to become Girl Scouts, both virtually and in-person. Members also recruit new volunteers from local communities to help with programming. These AmeriCorps members provide critical leadership and developmental programming to girls and help strengthen communities by engaging with local partners and volunteers.
GSNI has a long history in providing staff-led programming in Rockford and Elgin. For over a decade, hundreds of girls have been able to participate in the GSLE. Girls who participate show strong outcomes towards achievement, such as developing a strong sense of self, positive values, and healthy relationship skills. When asked about their participation in Girl Scouts, girls report being excited about making new friends, having the opportunity to learn new things, engaging in hands-on activities, feeling secure in a girl group, and making a difference.
GSNI is currently seeking dedicated individuals who are interested in serving their community as AmeriCorps members, with a variety of part-time positions available. All members will receive a modest living allowance and ongoing training and development opportunities. To get involved, email AmeriCorps@girlscoutsni.org.
