Saturday, April 27, 2013

Helping Girls Gain Financial Literacy

On Saturday, April 27, Girl Scouts of all ages attended workshops geared at financial literacy at A Place for Girls, the headquarters and program center for the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. The workshops were part of an event, Financial Fitness, organized by the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Society of CPA's.

Members of the Chapter, many former Girl Scouts, led age-appropriate workshops that helped girls meet requirements for Girl Scout awards, such as the Money Manager badge. Girl Scout Daisies learned about coins and paper money; Girl Scout Brownies were introduced to philanthropy and took part in a community service project; Girl Scout Juniors had lessons on maintaining a budget; Girl Scout Seniors compared costs and conducted simple consumer research projects, and Girl Scout Ambassadors found out what it would take to live on their own.

From the youngest Girl Scouts in kindergarten learning how to save money to the Girl Scouts in high school learning to be smart consumers, girls were encouraged to think about their futures and to be prepared. Events such as Financial Fitness are only part of what Girl Scouts is doing to place attention on financial literacy.

The Girl Scout Research Institute recently published a study called Having It All: Girls and Financial Literacy. In this study, they found that girls are optimistic about their future lives but admit to lacking the financial confidence and knowledge they will need to achieve their dreams. They also found that many girls are open to learning about financial literacy and are interested in participating in activities that teach them how to set financial goals and how to manage money.

As financial literacy becomes a growing concern in the country, Girl Scouts are working to lead the way to give girls the tools to become financially independent and empowered. Opportunities such as Financial Fitness: The Sequel allow girls to gain financial confidence, learn how to have open conversations with their parents about money matters and be on track for a financially successful and independent life.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Helping Hands Food Drive

Girl Scouts Lend a “Helping Hand” with Council-Wide Food Drive

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, in partnership with TowneBank, Walmart and media sponsors -Tidewater Parent Magazine, WAVY-TV 10, Face of Fox43 and Adams Outdoor - will be hosting the 2013 Helping Hands Food Drive on May 4 from 9 a.m.to noon. Girl Scouts, and friends from the public, are invited to collect non-perishable food items and bring their donations to area Walmarts where volunteers will receive, sort and load the donations onto food bank trucks.

Hunger affects many residents of our community. They may be homeless, parents working for low wages, residents suffering from the recent loss of a job or senior citizens living on fixed incomes. The Girl Scouts are taking action to help those in need through this community service project.

As part of the food drive effort, Girl Scouts are challenged to hold collection drives at schools, churches and other venues in the community during April. The collected food will be brought to the Walmart locations on May 4. Girl Scouts who participate may enter a collection contest! The contest rules, along with tips and a public service announcement, can be found on the Council's website.

Get involved and lend a hand. Make a difference, because no child deserves to go to bed hungry.