Girls Inc. of Metro Denver

What role does community support play in mental health? At Girls Inc. of Metro Denver we believe that mental health is not just a personal journey—it's a collective effort. Our programs focus on nurturing the whole girl, ensuring every participant feels supported, seen, and empowered. With support from partners like The Colorado Trust, Caring for Denver Foundation, Caring For Colorado Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation and Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), we've been able to expand our mental health programming and create environments that prioritize well-being—not just for our girls, but for our staff too. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme—"Prioritizing mental health in the workplace"—is particularly relevant as we unveil our newly dedicated mental health space and welcome our new full-time Mental Health Counselor, Luz Navarrete, LCSW. We are so excited to have her on the team.🎉 Read more about Luz and our mental health initiatives in our blog: https://lnkd.in/gvsDQnMm #worldmentalhealthday

It's here—International Day of the Girl Celebration Week! 😊 At Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, we’re celebrating all week long and inviting YOU to join us! There are so many ways to get involved—whether it’s shopping with our amazing partners to support girls, sharing the story of an inspirational woman or girl in your life, or making a donation to invest in the next generation of leaders. Follow the link to learn more about how you can celebrate with us! https://lnkd.in/g3ufGXGV

We are beyond grateful to celebrate our recognition as a 2024 Partner in Philanthropy by the Denver Business Journal! 🎉 This award reflects the energy of our incredible team, the dreams of our trailblazing girls, and the strength of our community rallying behind them and our mission. A heartfelt thank you to the businesses who came together to raise $19,000 in support of our mission; FirstBank, Barefoot PR, Colorado Credit Union, First Western Trust, HCA Healthcare, Kodiak Building Partners, Lightsail Video, PNC, Rose Community Foundation, Southwest Airlines, and Denver Business Journal. Congratulations to all the other phenomenal organizations and businesses who were recognized! 👏 Check out the Denver Business Journal’s recap of the event below! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gYSx7prk

We are proud to have partnered with United Airlines again for Girls in Aviation Day. Did you know that only about 5% of airline pilots and 25% of aviation roles are held by women? We’re changing that narrative! Our girls had the opportunity to explore career paths they may have never considered before—like becoming an airline mechanic, pilot and more! Exposure to experiences like these especially before secondary education decisions are made empowers young women to see themselves in diverse, dynamic fields and gives them the confidence to know that these careers are well within their reach. One of our participants shared, “I never considered a job in aviation before today, but learning about the flight attendants and what they do, I really want to learn how I can be one.” Through activities like designing their own airplanes, learning flight attendant announcements, and sitting in the cockpit, they got to meet women from all corners of aviation, sparking curiosity and ambition. “My favorite part was going inside the cockpit. I got to sit in the captain’s seat, and we got to sit in first class,” said another girl. This is how we build pathways for young women to explore aviation and other STEM careers. Thank you, United Airlines, for inspiring the next generation of leaders and a special shoutout to Justin Petrochko and Cindy Seffair for making this day possible for our girls. ✈️ #goodleadstheway

Latinas are a powerful, vibrant force—representing 9% of the U.S. population and contributing an incredible $1.3 trillion to the economy! 💪✨ But did you know only 1% of Latinas are in the C-Suite? It's time to change that narrative. At Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, about 60% of our girls identify as Latina & Hispanic, and we're all about celebrating their unique strengths and diverse identities. We're equipping them with the tools and opportunities to step into leadership and make sure their voices are heard. From future entrepreneurs to community advocates, our girls are redefining what leadership looks like! This Hispanic Heritage Month, we're shining a light on the incredible diversity and strength of our Latina & Hispanic community and making sure every girl's potential is recognized and celebrated! ❤️ #hispanicheritagemonth

Save the Date! October 5-11, we’re celebrating International Day of the Girl all week long, and this year’s theme is all about Girls’ Vision for the Future. 'Girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges—they’re hopeful, taking action to create a world where they are protected, respected, and empowered. But they can’t do it alone. It takes allies like YOU to create change! Throughout the week, we’re partnering with local and women-owned businesses to amplify our work and invest in girls’ futures. Whether you’re down for a workout class, craving some delicious cookies, or ready to treat yourself (or someone special) to a new piece of jewelry, we’ve got a way for everyone to join in. And we’ll have interactive ways on social media where you can show your support for girls. Who knows, there might even be some fun prizes! 🤭 Stay tuned to find out all the details. The fun is just getting started! 😉 

The school year has truly taken flight for our girls! With the support of our friends at Boeing, they soared on an exciting journey of discovery and innovation. From crafting rockets out of straws and marshmallows to exploring the solar system and launching their own paper airplanes, the excitement and creativity were sky-high. And yes, every marshmallow was thoroughly enjoyed! 😊 What made the day even more special was the all-women team from Boeing who led the way. By seeing women in various departments across The Boeing Company and in STEM fields, our girls discovered just how many exciting possibilities are out there waiting for them. We are so grateful to Boeing for being a year-round partner in our STEM programming. Their commitment to preparing and inspiring the next generation of innovators and explorers goes far beyond the day's activities. From exposing our younger girls to hands-on STEM learning to engaging our Eureka teens in workforce preparation, Boeing’s support touches every age group, ensuring each girl gets a glimpse of what’s possible for her future. #BoeingPartner

Meet Lulu Lantzy, New Board Member. “One safe space, one inspiring person, and one connected moment can have lasting impacts. It is crucial for our girls to have Girls Inc’s whole girl support, inspiring them to discover their strengths and their voices,” Lulu shared when asked why she feels it's important for girls to have a space like Girls Inc. Lulu is a mission-driven advocate for students with 20 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Chief Activation Officer for Auraria Campus, where she’s passionate about connecting the campus to the greater community. An entrepreneur at heart, Lulu ran her first business as a sophomore at the University of Michigan. Since then, she’s built a reputation for fostering partnerships and leveraging industry connections to create opportunities for students. “The foundation of my career was built on two pillars: Integrity—do what you say you’re going to do, and relationships are everything." When it comes to personal inspiration, she says "my daughter inspires me with her curiosity, bravery, and ability to see the magic in the world. She is my WHY for many, many things, especially my commitment to supporting girls”. Lulu's favorite quote: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

Meet Nicole Marquez, New Board Member. “Joining the board of Girls Inc. allows me to give back in a meaningful way, I am passionate about advocating for young girls, ensuring they recognize their worth and have the courage to let their voices be heard.” Nicole’s dedication to community development is rooted in over 13 years of experience working with nonprofits and Community Development Financial Institutions. In her current role as Vice President Community Development Relationship Manager for Huntington National Bank, she’s at the forefront of community outreach and business development, providing local charitable giving and volunteer opportunities that make a tangible difference. Nicole volunteered on our scholarship selection committee earlier this year and brought Huntington team members to assemble activity kits for our Girls thINC Outside the Box program.  “I was drawn to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver because of its unwavering commitment to empowering girls and fostering their confidence. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have key individuals who invested their time and resources in me, opening doors to invaluable opportunities. Their support has been instrumental in shaping my journey, and I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the mentorship I received.” When asked about the woman who inspires her most, Nicole said. “An inspirational woman in my life is my mother. Her journey has inspired me to strive to be the best version of myself. She has taught me that setbacks are not the end but rather steppingstones to success. Her unwavering spirit encourages me to persevere, reminding me that I should never let ‘no’ deter me from pursuing my dreams. Because of her, I approach challenges with confidence and a determination to make a difference, not only in my own life but also in the lives of others around me.”

Meet Julie Lerner, New Board Member. “I volunteered to conduct mock interviews for scholarship candidates a few months ago. Every one of those girls was bright, driven, and full of potential, I couldn’t imagine being on the committee that had to select only a few for scholarships. Before I left that day, I told Kayla, ‘I want to be on your board, and I want to grow this scholarship program exponentially so we can give all those amazing youth a scholarship!’” Julie Lerner is no stranger to building something from the ground up. With 30 years of experience in international commodity trading and new business development, she’s a visionary who knows how to turn big ideas into reality. As the President of PX Consulting and the former Founder and CEO of PanXchange, an ESG focused commodity data, technology and consulting company, Julie has always combined her passion for trading natural resources with a keen eye for innovation in data and technology. Her career has taken her across Europe and Latin America, but her heart has always been in empowering the next generation. “I believe that there’s no greater joy than empowering another person,” she said when asked what drew her to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. “GIMD’s board and vast network of volunteers have the skills and experience to help catapult these girls toward success.” Julie’s favorite quote is, “Life shrinks or expands proportional to one’s courage".