December 2021 Our Promise

December 2021

OUR PROMISE

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri wishes you a warm and happy holiday!

Thank YOU for all that you have done this past year. I hope you too will reflect as you read this issue of Our Promise and smile knowing that you help make all of this possible.

As I reflect on 2021 I admire the determination and commitment of our staff and volunteers, I appreciate the investment of our donors and community supporters, and I applaud the many, many accomplishments of our eastern Missouri Girl Scouts. Amidst uncertainty and challenges during the ongoing pandemic, Girl Scouts embraced opportunities, earned badges, made new friends, volunteered in the community, worked within their troops and engaged in all Girl Scouting has to offer.

Stay tuned…we have exciting plans for 2022 with some fun surprises! I can’t wait to share more.

Happiest of holidays to you and yours! And thank you again for being on this journey with us. Our future depends on the strength of our girls and with your support, the future is bright!

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Bonnie Barczykowski CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

The Sweetest Race in Town Thank you to all our members and supporters who came out the Saturday after Thanksgiving to participate in the 10 th annual Girl Scouts GO: Run for the Cookies.

1,000+ 2021 Race Participants

Special thanks to our Bronze Sponsor

Making Their Voices Heard We are girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. And that “make the world a better place” part? That’s about civic engagement, and it gets at the very heart of what it means to be a Girl Scout.

The Girl Scout Promise and Law best encapsulates the importance of a girl’s commitment to making the world a better place. As early as 1913 with the publication of the first Girl Scout Handbook, How Girl Scouts Can Help Their Country , Girl Scouts have explored the concepts of civics and citizenship in times of peace as well as critical crisis. Their responses have always been to contribute to the improvement of conditions with their time, talent, and treasure. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the progressive badgework opportunities that accompany it propel girls into the arena of civic awareness; girls who have diverse perspectives and unique approaches to changemaking. One way that Girl Scouts allow their civic pride to shine is in the execution of their Gold Award community service projects. While the subject of each individual project varies, all are focused on education, advocacy and developing systems of improvement for different audiences. The 2021 Gold Award Dessert First scholarship recipient, Shruti Panda, for example, developed an advocacy skills workshop that instructs her peers, and anyone else interested, in ways to raise one’s voice around issues of personal, community-wide, and global concern by writing letters/placing phone calls to congressional leaders, lobbying the aides in those offices, and writing letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines around issues that demand change. With more than 57,000 badges earned by eastern Missouri Girl Scouts in the past year, civic engagement badges form the foundation that helps girls grow as Girl Scouts and leaders. It is no coincidence that a majority of current female political leaders (Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice, Madeleine Albright), 69% of female US senators, 57% of US Representatives, and 5 of the 9 current female governors are all Girl Scout alums.

This fall, Live from Girl Scouts presented by World Wide Technology has, to date, addressed the importance of civic action through programs such as Democracy for Juniors, Behind the Ballot and Public Policy, empowering Girl Scouts time and again to use their voices to affect the change they want to see in the world. Now in its 3rd season, Live from Girl Scouts continues to offer Girl Scouts leadership and growth mindset development in a fun, flexible and informal environment featuring in- person and virtual experiences that support youth-driven exploration and learning.

Fulfilling the Girl Scout Mission for Every Girl Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) believes that all girls deserve the opportunity to develop into tomorrow’s leaders. Through programs like Community Troops and Rural Troop Start Up, Girl Scouts provides the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to all girls, everywhere.

Participating in Girl Scouts results in measurable outcomes as girls develop and grow into caring, productive adult leaders. While Girl Scouting is vibrant in the eastern Missouri region, it was not always unilaterally accessible. In 2014, we discovered that more affluent schools were three times more likely to have a Girl Scout troop than under-resourced schools. This revelation went against core Girl Scout principles, that all girls, regardless of their color or socio-economic status, should have equal access to this life-shaping experience. Through research, GSEM discovered the greatest barrier to Girl Scout participation in lower-income areas was the availability of a volunteer troop leader. To remove this barrier, the Community Program Program (CTP) provides trained GSEM staff members to lead troops in communities and within schools where 75% to 100% of students receive free/reduced-priced lunches. Launched in 2014 with 538 girls, the program has grown to serve more than 2,500 girls in 80 troops annually led by 9 CTP leaders/GSEM staff members. While CTP has made significant gains in accessibility, we also know that the need persists. Findings from The State of Girls (2017) suggest that economic conditions affecting girls in Missouri have not fully recovered from the Great Recession. These families will likely face even more financial duress due to economic conditions brought on by COVID-19. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri also hosts several specialty troops that provide a tailored experience for girls. Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) is a specialty troop serving the unique needs of girls whose mothers are incarcerated. Started in 1996, the GSBB troop meets weekly to participate in traditional Girl Scout activities that develop leadership skills, build self-esteem and

foster healthy relationships. The troop also travels to correctional facilities in Vandalia, MO and Chillicothe, MO as allowed for troop meetings and visits with their mothers, providing mom with a meaningful experience as she serves her sentence and providing our Girl Scout the ability to maintain a relationship with her mom. Other specialty CTP troops are hosted at residential shelters and therapeutic programs for youth, including Gateway 180, Marygrove, Epworth Children and Family Services, Beyond Housing, and St. Vincent Home for Children. 2020-2021 was a pivotal year for the Community Troop Program. Thanks to video-conferencing licenses provided by GSEM, regular and virtual CTP troop meetings were held throughout 2020-2021 and over 700 CTP members participated in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Ameren Missouri Rural Troop Startup Where the Community Troop Program highlights the need for accessible

programming in urban communities, Girl Scouts has been equally committed to reaching more girls in its more rural communities. For more than 20 years, Ameren Missouri has been a dedicated supporter of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and how that experience improves the lives of those living throughout its service area and the greater eastern Missouri region. More recently Ameren Missouri support has directly impacted Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s efforts to reach new audiences in the organization’s under-represented rural communities. The purpose of the Ameren Missouri Rural Troop Startup Program is simple: Ameren Missouri supports start-up costs for each new troop formed. This includes staff support, volunteer training, membership fees, uniform pieces, and program fees. As a result, these newly- formed troops are able to fully participate in the full range of Girl Scout leadership programming which includes, but is not limited to, the Girl Scout Cookie Program, STEM, camping and other outdoor adventure, community service projects, and badgework and other troop activities. At the close of Ameren Missouri Rural Troop Start Up’s first year, 25 new Daisy troops were formed, each completing their first year of badgework, community service and entrepreneurial cookie sales! In this first year, Ameren Missouri’s generous support made it possible for 192 girls to start their progressive skill-building journey as new Girl Scouts, with the support of 105 new adult Girl Scout volunteers.

A Night with the Blues— A First Game Experience

On Nov. 16, Wells Fargo Advisors welcomed 46 Community Troop Program members and their

families to the St. Louis Blues vs. Coyotes game as their guests. The game was a first-time, live sports event experience for all and included a pre-game session with Blues broadcasters and a Meet-and-Greet with Louie, the Blues Mascot. Thank you, Wells Fargo!

In lieu of field trips and traveling, CTP leaders arranged, virtual events in which all CTP members could participate, including a Winter Bingo event and a virtual movie-watching party. As winter transitioned to spring and summer in 2021, the Community Troop Managers also arranged as many outdoor and in-person events as they could including two “Popsicle in the Park” events at Koenneman and Turtle Parks and one field trip to Aquaport. Community Troop members likewise participated in camp programming and outdoor adventures. All of this work is possible thanks to the dedication of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s CTP staff and the many community partners that enhance the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and help the organization reach more girls every year.

2021 Memorial and Tribute Gifts With sincerest appreciation and gratitude, we recognize those who made a memorial or tribute gift to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.

In Honor of Officer C. Huff Hazelwood Police Benevolent Association In Honor of Helen Ivery Linda G. and Thomas A Gieseking

In Memory of Judy J. Backman Kathy Dabrowski Sarah Demetz June and Fred Held

In Memory of Suzanne V. McSwain Gloria H. McSwain In Memory of Norma Jean H. Purvines Edith Johnson In Memory of Ashleigh Satterly Anonymous A. M. Bean Paula Bell Kate Blackburn Mary Jean Breeden Paul and Catherine Doerrer Evelyn Gilliam Katie Gipperich Dr. Veronica Marie Hilyard Ellen and Richard Holden Peter Holden Allison G. and Bretten R. Kleitz Mrs. Carol McCauley Lori Nelson Mrs. Pat Nobles Barbara Oliver Brian Rich Andrea and Ramon Rivera Naomi Secoy Gwen Grogan Roberta Hagen Leslie Stanley Donna Steed Julia and Thomas Steed Monica Swinford Dr. Craig Thurman Amie and Timothy Trebing Linda Leonard-Woods and Michael Woods In Memory of Bradley Snow Mrs. Sallie Lynch Betty J. Okenfuss In Memory of Elsie St. Cyr Mrs. E. Katherine St. Cyr and Mr. Peter H. Hubbell Melissa Shenoy James Shipley Mrs. Wanda Shipley

In Memory of Terry Vermillion Anonymous Elaine Beckett Lloyd Beckett Casco Diversified Corporation Kathy Dabrowski Mr. Warren Evans Kathy Flanigan Kelly Gross June and Fred Held Manuela Macias Mrs. Christine Mallory Judith and Charles Mitchell J. Politte-Downs Elaine and Conrad Oxmann Donna Rakerd Mrs. Julie Rothmeyer Liz and Tim Simer Alicia and Vincent Skroska Barbara Smith Mrs. Christina Tomlin Tribute gifts are a wonderful way to recognize those special individuals such as a family member, friend or troop leader, while supporting our eastern Missouri Girl Scouts. The honoree or their family will receive a written notecard informing them of your gift.

Judith and Charles Mitchell Alicia and Vincent Skroska Della and Glenn Sprehe

In Honor of Dawn L. Kotva Mr. and Dr. Robert Schuette

In Memory of Harry R. Becker Allan P. Belko

In Honor of the M. Family Dr. William Beaman

In Memory of Jane Bumb Diana and Michael Morrissey Jo Nickel

In Honor of June McAllister Fowler Barbara A. Abbett BJC HealthCare Susan Cejka Mr. Sean Fitzgerald Regina and Craig Fowler Kelly Garrett Peggy Guest Sharon Hill Gayle Jackson Dee Joyner Lee Kling Kathy Osborn Patricia Redington Regional Business Council Susan Stepleton Marilyn Teitelbaum In Honor of Megan Piechowski and her Legacy Builder Award Emily and Patrick Carroll In Honor of Dana Plonka Mike and Martha Hogan David Julien In Honor of Harper and Samantha Rinella Jamie Rinella In Honor of Jo Ann Taylor Kindle Adela and Logan Finerty

In Memory of Judy Cooper Mr. Jackie Cooper

In Memory of Dorothy Cox Mary Jean Breeden Kathy Dabrowski Katherine Powers Cherie Hampshire and Liz Thompson Wayne and Bonnie Walkenhorst and Maggie Stewart In Memory of Nancy Herron Jeanne Devine Jerry Johnson Janice and John Lyons Susan B. Smith In Memory of Judy A. Johnson June and Fred Held Paula Howard Barbara Johnson Judith and Charles Mitchell In Memory of Patricia S. Kiszczak Jennifer and Edward Cracchiola

Tribute gifts can be made using the enclosed

envelope or online at girlscoutsem.org/ donate .

This listing represents all memorial and tribute gifts made between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2021. Gifts made after this time will appear in the next issue of Our Promise.

In Memory of Loved Ones Mrs. Janice Spathelf

In Memory of Glorian D. McGuire John P. McGuire

Charitable Fund Mr. James Mann Kathy Osborn

Girl Scouts in 2021

Service

All Girls, Everywhere

April Showers is our annual Council- wide community service project. 14,455 participating Girl Scouts and adults collected: 1.1 million personal care items

In 2021, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri served thousands of youth through community outreach and specialty troop programs. 2,035 Community Troop Members 27 Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Members 16,220 Students participated in Project Anti-Violence (PAVE) programming

Robotics

Camp

for families and individuals in need.

75 FIRST® Teams

11,438 Girl Scout Campers

inspired girls to become technology leaders by learning valuable life and employment skills as they gain confidence in their abilities.

Day Camp 1,482 girls

Resident Camp 2,196 girls

Girl Scout Cookies

Troop Camp 5,869 girls

Daisy Drop Box

2.6+ million Cookie packages sold

2,137 Boxes

With three camp properties (Camp Cedarledge, Camp Fiddlecreek and Camp Tuckaho) spanning more than 1,400 acres, girls challenge themselves to try new things, sharpen problem- solving skills and create a lifetime of memories.

93,000+ donated to USO of MO

delivered to Girl Scout Daisy troop leaders with fun skill-building activites for successful troop meetings.

Participation in the Cookie Program teaches girls essential money management skills.

Highest Awards

Badges

57,535 Badges Earned by girls across eastern Missouri through in- person and virtual programming and troop activities.

26 Girl Scouts in eastern Missouri

earned their Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scouts’ highest community service award: the award acknowledges the power behind each recipient’s dedication to not only empowering and bettering herself, but also to making a permanent and positive mark on our world.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 2300 Ball Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146 314.592.2300 800.727.GIRL (4475)

2022 Scholarship Recipients Anushka Rawat Nichole Hoffman Individual Legacy Builder Cynthia Heath Corporate Legacy Builder PNC Community Legacy Builder The St. Louis Zoo

PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHANGE-MAKERS AT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 Dessert tasting and cocktails beginning at 6 pm A virtual event option is also available CHASE PARK PLAZA ROYAL SONESTA 212 Kingshighway Bolevard St. Louis, MO 63108

Presenting Sponsor

girlscoutsem.org/dessertfirst