Girls Inc. of Chattanooga serves girls ages 6 to 18 across Hamilton County through educational and hands-on in-school, afterschool and school break programs. Girls Inc. programs have a strong track record of helping girls improve academically, make smarter choices, build self-confidence, develop leadership skills and stay focused on higher education, careers and a successful future. Through Girls Inc. programs, girls gain hands-on opportunities to build leadership skills, become strong public speakers, set and achieve goals and build a network of support from Girls Inc. girls, alumnae and professional women.

This past July, the UnFoundation donated $1,200 to Girls Inc.’s summer scholarship fund, providing three economically disadvantaged girls with a safe and enriching place to spend their summer break. Because of the UnFoundation, two girls attended American Girl, during which girls ages 6 to 11 investigated the differences and similarities between the urban, rural and suburban ways of life in America. Additionally, one girl attended iGirl, which introduced girls ages 12 to 14 to the exciting and ever-changing worlds of print, radio, television, and social media.

The UNFoundation July grant has been extremely rewarding and we are so excited to give you guys an update on this project.

In July, Jessica Martin was awarded $1200 for a Back-To-School bash for the amazing kids of Hill City.  Hill City has a history of underwhelming education for neighborhood kids.  Zoning, racial, and financial issues have plagued the area for decades, and many long term Hill City families have been fighting the good fight to bring back neighborhood schools and adequate funding.

Jessica Martin wrote a grant to receive money to purchase school supplies for the kids in the neighborhood.  This, however, is an understatement of what actually happened.  By stretching each dollar as far as possible, not only was Jessica (working with the Hill City Neighborhood Association) able to purchase backpacks FULL of school supplies for 45 kids, but money was used to fund an amazing Back-To-School bash for the kids, complete with live music, a slip and slide, a huge meal for the kids, and booths representing some awesome organizations around town.

When receiving their school supplies, the looks on these kids faces was priceless.  They each received so many supplies, some of them couldn’t even carry everything on their own!  We’re talking backpacks, notebooks, calculators, paper, crayons, markers, tissues, rulers, compases, and so much more.  These kids are set for the entire school year!

The UNFoundation stopped by the event to see how things were going.  We were totally blown away.  There were so many kids from all over the neighborhood, and their parents were enthusiastically helping out with the event.

If there’s one thing we left this event knowing, it’s that the kids of Hill City needed this project, and they will continue to need support from Chattanooga.

To help out in the future, contact Bijan at the UNFoundation for proper contact information – bijan [at] theunfoundation [dot] org

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