Girls Inc. of Chattanooga has been awarded a $12,000 Force of Nature grant in support of its Girls Outdoors program. It is one of 26 nonprofits awarded from among the more than 500 applicants nationwide.
Five hundred thousand dollars in total awards were announced by REI Wednesday as part of its commitment to create access to the outdoors for all across the country and creating opportunities to connect women and girls to nature.
Girls Inc. will use the funding to operate their Girls Outdoors programming for middle school girls as part of their Diversity Project. Girls Outdoors will "empower Girls Inc. middle school students to live a healthy lifestyle in their outdoor community, serve as outdoor ambassadors to other underrepresented populations in the community and to break out of outdated stereotypes and social norms placed upon women and girls." Girls will receive the information, skills, motivation and support to be in charge of their health by inspiring and equipping them to embrace life, outside, said officials.
For more information about the Force of Nature grants and REI, please click here.