Girl Start Academy graduation
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga held its Girl Start Academy graduation and a Back-to-School Bash celebration. Both events were met with support from the participants’ families and community partners, making it a memorable week for all involved, said officials.
The Girl Start Academy is the Pre-K seasonal camp designed to equip young girls with the essential skills needed to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Throughout the camp, participants learned to write their names, work in groups, and were introduced to traditional and non-traditional career paths. Organizers also prepared them for practical tasks like navigating a lunch line and ensuring they were ready for the next stage in their educational journey. The Girl Start Academy Program coordinators will continue to follow the participants throughout their kindergarten year, providing support and checking in with them at their schools.
The week culminated in a Back-to-School Bash celebration, where participants and their families enjoyed a fun-filled day. Girls Inc. of Chattanooga distributed free backpacks, offered food and provided various resources to help kick off the school year on a positive note.
Community partners who made the event possible include The Pop-Up Project, Chattanooga Fire Department, Penny's Lemonade, Hamilton County Schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, Party Bites Kitchen + Catering Events, and Kona Ice.
Sponsors were the Tennessee State Department of Human Services, The Weldon F. Osborne Foundation, Tennessee Valley Authority, The Lyndhurst Foundation, Chattanooga Gas, and McKee Foods.
For more information about Girls Inc. of Chattanooga programs, please contact Fance Brannock, director of Program Operations (fbrannock@girlsincofchatt.org), or visit https://www.girlsincofchatt.org/ourprograms.
Back-to-school bash