NORWALK, CT - August 16, 2010 – The Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls has awarded a grant of $20,000 to Family & Children’s Agency to support the Girls’ Challenge program.
Now in its sixth year, Girls’ Challenge helps sixth- through eighth-grade girls explore issues and topics relevant to their life such as self-esteem, body image, peer pressure, self-care and stress management. They will also work on integrating leadership skills into their daily life through team building, cooperation, and learning effective communication skills. The senior group of seventh- and eighth-grade girls focus on honing their leadership skills through community service projects, a youth advisory council, and exploration of their own interests and life goals.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of the Fairfield County Community Foundation for our youth development programs,” said Robert Cashel, President and CEO of the Agency. “This grant recognizes the importance of developing tomorrow’s leaders in our local communities.”
The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The community foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $110 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
The Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls was established in 1998 by women for women and is a permanent field of interest fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. Since the Fund’s establishment, $1.9 million in grants has been awarded to Fairfield County nonprofits that address the unique needs of women and girls. Contributions foster economic security, leadership skills, academic achievement and physical, emotional and social well being. The Fund also educates women about philanthropy and engages them in creating changes through collective, targeted giving. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org or call (203) 750-3200.
For more information on the After School Program, including Girls Challenge, and other programs at Family & Children’s Agency, please call the Agency at (203) 855-8765 or go to www.familyandchildrensagency.org.
Family and Children’s Agency is a non-profit family service organization serving the needs of more than 10,000 individuals – including children, adults and families – throughout Fairfield County and beyond. Skilled professionals serve clients in seven impact areas: youth development, family strengthening, foster care, adoption, behavioral health, homeless services, and services for seniors. For more information, please go to www.FamilyandChildrensAgency.org.
