The Rotary Club of Chattanooga, in partnership with Rotary District 6780, has provided an $8,500 grant to Girls Inc. to help the organization buy a 15-passenger van, according to a news release.
"Transportation is often the barrier for girls to participate in our programs, and outsourcing transportation is cost-prohibitive," Girls Inc. CEO Melissa Blevins said. "We are grateful to the Downtown Rotary Club for their generous support and thrilled to have the additional resources to impact even more girls in our community."
Girls Inc. provides programming for girls ages six to 18 at 14 Chattanooga locations. Those programs focus on "whole-girl" development that equips girls to navigate gender, economic and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults, the release states. Girls Inc., started in 1961 as the Girls Club, has served more than 28,000 girls and is expected to serve another 800 this year.
Visit www.girlsincofchatt.org to learn more about the local organization.