Girls Inc. of St. Louis Named Outstanding Affiliate of the Year

Girls Inc. of St. Louis has been named Outstanding Affiliate of the Year. The award was presented to Cheryl Jones, the chapter’s president and CEO, during the annual virtual national conference hosted in New York City earlier this week.

Girls Inc. of St. Louis was one of three affiliates selected for this distinct honor among 78 chapter affiliates across the U.S. and Canada. Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold through direct service and advocacy.

The Affiliate of the Year distinction goes to top organizations who have met an extensive list of criteria that speak to the quality of the experience they deliver to girls. It also recognizes their sound business practices and revenue growth, the strength of involvement by their board, their participation in Strong, Smart and Bold Outcomes Measurement, and their generosity and willingness to act on behalf of the good of the whole network.

“This year’s recognized affiliates had many individual achievements that made them worthy of being called outstanding,” said Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., Girls Inc. president and CEO. “Girls Inc. of St. Louis demonstrated excellence in strengthening and expanding their services to support the unique, ever-changing needs of girls. They are also committed to the use of data to improve outcomes and results for girls. We are thrilled to honor them for their impressive work and their commitment to making a measurable difference in the lives of girls.”

Girls Inc. of St. Louis serves more than 8,000 girls annually in the St. Louis region, as well as supports 80-plus women in college. During the pandemic, the agency pivoted to a virtual platform along with in-school educational programs over the summer to girls in 72 schools. The St. Louis affiliate has worked assiduously to inculcate a sense of belonging to its students and strategically organized diversity programs to ensure inclusivity and equity to achieve an environment where young women felt safe and valued.

“Our executive team and volunteers at Girls Inc. embrace a foundation of belonging that exemplifies a supportive community, which provides a caring and welcoming culture where our girls feel valued, safe and respected for their individual talents and skills,” Jones said. “This, in turn, has encouraged our girls to live up to their fullest potential with confidence, dignity and pride.”