United Way invests $1.4M in 2 Lynn girls organizations

LYNN – The Girls Incorporated of Lynn and Raw Art Works organizations will receive a portion of $1.4 million donated by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimac Valley to various non-profit organizations geared toward girls.United Way announced this week that Girls Incorporated would receive funding for its Odyssey and Eureka middle school programs and Raw Art Works would be awarded with funding for its Women 2 Be Art 4 Girlz program.The Girls Odyssey program focuses on academic and social support for girls, while the Eureka program offers math and science tutoring during the summer months.The Raw Art Works program helps girls enhance their identity, provides them with a space where they belong, recognizes their successes and links girls through art with the larger community.In all, the United Way is investing in 48 community organizations across the state as part of its Today’s Girls Tomorrow’s Leaders initiative, which invests in quality, girl focused programming to address inequalities that create barriers for girls and to meet new challenges to their health and well-being.TGTL is made possible through the support of Deloitte and Touche LLP and the annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, which brings together leading business women and local philanthropists to support positive options for girls and young women.A study from the Girls Coalition of Greater Boston found that females represent 51 percent of the population but only 39 percent of the youth participate in out of school time programs.”TGTL aims to surround girls and young women with the guidance and opportunities they need to find a path toward academic and personal success,” said Bithiah Carter, Senior Director of Community Impact at United Way. “We need to ensure that girls can make sound, healthy decisions so they can secure brighter futures and become leaders in our community.”Over the past 12 years, the United Way has invested more than $10 million to fill the need for girl-specific programming, providing more than 250,000 girls with innovative programs and opportunities that pair them with mentors, provide technical skills and educate them about healthy lifestyles.TGTL builds the capacity of community programs to help girls develop in four areas; academic achievement, physical health, well-being and leadership development.