Norwalk Agency Receives $10K Grant For Girls' Challenge Program

NORWALK, Conn. – The Family & Children's Agency recently received a $10,000 grant to benefit its Girls’ Challenge, which is part of the After School Program.

Family & Children's Agency was recently awarded a $10,000 grant, which will benefit the Girls' Challenge.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Lynn Funk

09/03/2014 4:00 a.m.

The grant came from the Fund for Women and Girls run by the Fairfield County Community Foundation.

In the program, the girls meet each Friday afternoon during the school year. This marks the 11th year for the program.

“Family & Children’s Agency is grateful to the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls for their ongoing, generous support of Girls’ Challenge,” said Robert F. Cashel, president and CEO of FCA.

Girls’ Challenge is a program to help girls gain strong relationships with their peers and to develop leadership skills. Topics explored during the program include improving body image and self-esteem, self-care, stress management and stress management. Leadership is taught through community service projects.

“This past year, the girls focused on positive affirmations and how to resist peer pressure and negative influences,” said Amy Jeffereis, manager of Youth Development. “They focused on the good, not just in themselves, but in others, and learned that together they are a strong unit and rely on each other for support.”

The After School Program serves 50 middle school youth in Norwalk, helping them to make the transition to high school and to become more productive and independent. The students gather after school, each Monday through Friday in the school year, at the Norwalk Community College campus.

Fairfield County Community Foundation is an organization that aims to generate community growth and regional philanthropy. Funds for its efforts come from other organizations, as well as individuals, families and corporations. The group complies with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations.

The foundation awards money to nonprofit groups in Fairfield County and other areas. It has given $168 million in grants. For more information, visit the website at www.fccfoundation.org.

For more information about the Youth Development programs at FCA, call Mary Kate Locke, director, at 203-523-5754, or email to mlocke@fcagency.org.

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