Girls Inc. of the Valley received a $10,000 grant from the Liberty Bank Foundation to support their Eureka!: STEM and College Access Program. Through this grant support, more youth throughout the Valley will have access to pathways in STEM careers, the advice and guidance of trusted mentors, and academic support that leads to high school and college diplomas.

Eureka! is a 5-year STEM and college readiness program in partnership with the University of Massachusetts (UMass), serving 8-12th grade teenagers. The program meets girls’ need for personal and academic achievement support, provides opportunities for leadership development, and prepares girls with STEM skills that set them on the path to rewarding college and career opportunities. The generosity of Liberty Bank will support Girls Inc. of the Valley’s efforts to build leadership and academic skills, while supporting the whole girl.

“At Liberty Bank, we have worked for nearly 200 years to strengthen our communities. Our brand “Be Community Kind” inspires everything we do,” said David Glidden, President & CEO of Liberty Bank and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation. “Empowering this generation’s youth through education and training is pivotal for shaping tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. We are dedicated to supporting Girls, Inc. because we know how important it is to promote a future where STEM not only enriches young lives, but also equips them with skills that will last a lifetime.”

“We are thrilled that the Liberty Bank Foundation has invested in the bright futures of our Eureka! scholars with this incredible grant funding,” said Suzanne Parker, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Valley. “Liberty Bank Foundation support of the next generation of leaders in our region is incredibly impactful.”

Eureka! begins with an intensive 4-week summer experience on the UMass campus and combines hands-on STEM activities with personal development, health and college/career readiness programming. Throughout the school year, Eureka! programs include the Girls CAN college mentoring component and a Careers in Trades event. In the short and medium term, they track improvements in participants’ self-confidence, self-esteem, and future-mindedness through surveys and feedback from staff and family. Longer term outcomes, such as high school graduation rates and college acceptances, are measured through communication with families and schools.

Girls Inc. of the Valley’s 2023 participants’ results from Girls Inc. National’s Strong, Smart and Bold Outcomes Survey showed excellent progress toward their short and medium-term goals:

• 81% of girls know adults they can talk to who work in a career that interests them and know the education and training they need for that career.
• 100% know they will graduate high school, and 90% know they will graduate college
• 91% believe they have a great future ahead of them

Girls Inc. of the Valley continues to provide a safe space for teenagers to connect with a positive peer group and build confidence. As their youths’ self-confidence grows, so do their social, emotional, and academic skills. The Liberty Bank Foundation’s contribution will make a significant impact in aiding Eureka! to help girls achieve academically and increase college enrollment.