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Girls Incorporated of Sherman offers an after-school and full day summer program for girls ages 6-18. Classes are offered daily to help girls master physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. Additionally, in 2006 Girls Inc. started providing outreach services to include girls in the community. Girls Inc. also offers league sports in volleyball and basketball for girls ages 6-14. Girls Incorporated of Sherman receives partial funding from the United Way of Grayson County.
At Girls Incorporated of Sherman, our target population is:
Girls, ages 6-18, who are from Sherman and surrounding towns.
Additionally, for the majority, the following is true:
Their parents work, and they need a safe, accepting, and stimulating environment in which to spend their after-school and summer hours.
They look to Girls, Inc. to provide a "community" in that is:
Non-sexist, supportive, accessible, inviting, resourceful, challenging, equitable, democratic, inclusive, and girl centered. They participate in at least one part of our program over a period of 3-5 consecutive years, every summer, or only during the school year.
What we also know:
Over 40% are from single-parent homes, (8% single fathers) they are racially and economically diverse. 5-10% are in or have been in foster care and almost 5% are being raised by grandparents.
Why Target Girls?
Of the people living in poverty, 76% are women and children. Women head 27% of households with children under age 18. In a nationwide survey, 60% of girls say they experience stereotypes that limit their right to be themselves.
In a 1997 survey of adolescent girls, 46% did not always feel safe in their own neighborhoods. In fact, the average victim of stranger abduction is an eleven year old, middle class girl within 1.5 miles of her own home. Research shows that girls achieve at a higher rate in all-girl settings vs. co-ed environments.
History of Girls Incorporated of Sherman
In the spring of 1969, the Sherman Service League contacted County Jude Les Tribble to explore some of the problems confronting the youth in Sherman. Judge Tribble cited the growing delinquency problem among girls, especially of Junior High age, and suggested that the Service League might investigate the need for a Girls Club in Sherman. During the summer, a Steering Committee of the League, composed of Mrs. Til Cundiff, Mrs. Joan Neff, Mrs. Carol Shea, Mrs. Kyra Jones and Mrs. Jane Lee Sylvester, gathered information on forming and operating a Girls Club from Girls Clubs of America and the Girls Club of Denison. In September, the Service League voted to initiate steps toward the formation of a Girls Club. A community survey and the results from a questionnaire completed by 688 Junior High girls validated the expressed need for a Girls Club. Subsequently, Attorney Lloyd Perkins assisted the Steering Committee with drawing a set of By-Laws.
In January 1971, the Girls Club at 420 North Sam Rayburn opened and soon enrolled 15 charter members. In June, the Sherman Service League began providing volunteers on a regular basis. Approval was given for the Girls Club to become a United Way Agency beginning in 1972.
From 1972 thru 1974 many new "first" programs were put in place such as, swim team, day camp, cheerleading programs in cooperation with Boys Club Football. Softball, soccer, and basketball leagues for both elementary & middle school girls.
In 1975, the Girls Club acquired property in Fairview Park on the south side of Taylor Street by a special election held by the City of Sherman as a site for a Girls Club facility. So in 1976 Don Elliott was appointed chairman of a Building Committee to complete architectural plans and supervise construction of the building. The Sherman Service League was named as the first recipient of the Advocacy for Girls Award. $140,000 in pledges and contributions was raised toward construction of a facility. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new facility at 1424 West Taylor was held on July 7th, 1977. The club opened its new facility on June 5th, 1978.
A van was purchased with funds donated by the Sherman Service League in 1980. Transportation pools were started from 3 elementary schools.
In the 90's, many upgrades took place, such as building repairs, painting, additional electrical outlets and ceiling fans were installed, counter tops replaced and plumbing repairs. A new computer and printer were purchased, as well as new sports equipment and games. Archery, ceramics and Operation SMART were popular classes added. Several dances were held for 5th & 6th grade students at Dillingham Middle School. A Halloween Carnival took place in the gym, as well as a Christmas Float that was entered in the Jaycee's Christmas Parade.
1995, Carol Shea, Shirley Renshaw and Carol Noltensmeyer attended the Great American Duck Conference in November to prepare for the Club's first fund-raiser in July of 1996.
In the 00's, new floors were installed in areas of the building; a new shed was installed with funds donated from Sherman Service League. In 2002 a grant from the O.D. Mayor Foundation, a teen room was created to serve girls in the 6th grade and above. A playground was installed in the back yard, and a second year of "Around the World" was offered for the summer program. Between 2003 & 2005, upgrades took place such as, a new phone system that was donated and installed by GCEC. A new fence was installed to replace the old and to extend the yard up the hill, funds for this were donated from the Sherman Noon Lions Club and the O.D. Mayor Foundation. A security system was installed with funds provided by Sherman Service League. "Girls back through time", and "Summer of Science" were the themes for the summer programs in 2004 and 2005.
In August of 2006, Tamara Banks was named the new Executive Director.
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Girls Inc. of Sherman
1424 W. Taylor St.
Sherman, TX 75092
(903) 893-4075
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Girls Inc. of Sherman is a
non-profit United Way Agency.
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