Girl Fest, Inc.

Description

Girl Fest, Inc. is a community based corporation whose sole purpose is to organize and host an annual event called Girl Fest. The event takes place at a local retail mall. Girl Fest provides information on a wide range of topics to young women ages 12-19. Young women and their families jointly receive information that will help their families make positive, proactive, choices for their future. Girl Fest's setting reinforces school based lifestyle initiatives by involving the family and removing negative peer groups. Girl Fest is planned and staffed completely by volunteers. The event itself is organized in a trade show format with informational booths on topics including education, health and fitness, volunteerism, after school activities, careers and non-traditional careers, employment, and personal safety. Opportunties and information are given through motivational and informational speakers which are scheduled throughout the day along with athletic demonstrations, hands on activities and games and the Reality Store. The Reality Store is an eye-opening outreach project of Business and Professional Women USA. In the store young women receive a checkbook and a monthly salary and then face all the expected and unexpected costs of day to day living. Future goals include expanding the event to an entire weekend attracting nationally known speakers and presenters, and including seminars/workshops on career options and study skills. Also, Girl Fest scholarship and Girl Fest Teen of the Year.