Girls Inc. is the longest-running girls’ leadership program in the country, empowering young women to thrive in school, careers, and life. ThinkGive is proud to partner with Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn to bring social and emotional learning (SEL) programming to girls in grades 6-8, helping them build confidence, empathy, and leadership skills.
We asked educators and students to reflect on the impact of ThinkGive. Here’s what they shared.
Student Voices: What ThinkGive Means to Them
“I liked the program because it helped me learn more about social justice and how everyone should be treated equally.”
“I used to be rather quiet, and I was able to get out of my shell and speak up for myself.”
“ThinkGive has changed how I act towards others, where I started being kinder because I know that’s how I want to be treated.”
After participating in ThinkGive, students reported significant improvements in their social and emotional skills:
100% said they were kinder to others.
100% felt more connected with friends and teachers.
91% said they were more caring when someone was hurt or upset.
Educator Perspectives: Seeing Growth and Connection
“As an educator, being able to have conversations about the subjects in ThinkGive makes me happy and excited. These are not necessarily easy topics to navigate with kids, so having a structured program allows for meaningful, in-depth conversations that I truly appreciate.”
“Throughout ThinkGive, I saw a lot of growth in confidence, especially in students who are usually quieter. The program creates a safe space where kids feel comfortable sharing and connecting with the topics and each other. Even students who don’t usually speak up in other programs begin to ask questions and engage in meaningful ways.”
Why This Partnership Matters
– Hannah Brewster, ThinkGive Program Coordinator
Working with Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn is both a joy and a learning experience. Abbie Ritchie, Bold Futures Mentoring Coordinator, shared that many of the eighth graders in her group drew on their learnings from last year’s ThinkGive experience to make deeper connections and engage in more meaningful conversations this year. It was especially heartening to hear that her students were particularly engaged when discussions centered on their closest relationships—friends and family.
Abbie brings creativity and flexibility to her teaching, often adapting lessons to meet the needs of her students. Whether during planning or in the moment, she adjusts activities to keep youth engaged. For example, when she notices students’ energy dipping, she might introduce a movement-based activity that reinforces the same lesson objectives in a fun, active way.
We are grateful for Abbie’s dedication and look forward to continuing our partnership with Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn, supporting girls as they grow in confidence, empathy, and connection.
Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn is a recipient of the SEL for Every Child Fund, which provides full funding to implement ThinkGive’s SEL programming. If your school/organization serves a majority of under-resourced youth and lacks funding for SEL initiatives, find out if you qualify at thinkgiveproject.org/fund.
