Latest news with #GirlScouts
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mobile teen to give District Attorney's victim comfort room a makeover
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — A local teen is making a big impact on those who are about to testify in court. Fairhope mother making remarkable recovery days after shooting Caroline Giardina is in the process of transforming the Mobile District Attorney's Office's victim comfort room. 'My goal is to make it somewhere that's comfortable and feels safe and warm,' Giardina said. Giardina said that right now, the dated room's furniture and activities do not represent the room's full potential. 'There are a lot of games and activities in here, but a lot of the games are either missing pieces or there are games that require a lot of people,' said Giardina. Giardina plans to make the space suitable for all ages by including adult coloring books and building blocks. 'People of all ages use these rooms,' Giardina said. The room will also get a fresh coat of paint and new furniture. 'My inspiration board has lots of warm colors. For the kids, building blocks to play with and coloring books,' Giardina said. The transformation is for Caroline's Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The idea came to her as both her parents work at the Mobile District Attorney's office. 'I have to walk past this room a lot,' Giardina said. 'It never looked like somewhere that was very inviting or anything.' Authorities in the DA's office say that the new transformation is much needed and will help ease the nerves of victims of all ages before they testify. 'When you think about walking into a courtroom; walking past full pews of people, looking up at a judge in a robe, sitting down in a witness stand with a microphone in your face, where your feet may not even touch the floor, 12 strangers staring at you while you share very incredibly private things about yourself, about your body, and maybe the person in the room who hurt you is staring at you– you can't begin to imagine the emotional and mental turmoil that these children face as they are asked and called upon to talk about the darkest moments of their lives,' Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Susman said. UPDATE: New video shows latest immigration raid in Baldwin County The room is set to be completed by Aug. 5. You can donate to Caroline's project by visiting this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Brownies guides retiree on a journey of rediscovery
When Colleen Walker retired at the end of 2016, she wasn't looking for applause or accolades; just a meaningful way to spend her time and give back to her community. What she didn't expect was that her retirement journey would lead her into a world filled with giggles, games, and girl power, transforming her into a beacon of inspiration. Today, at age 72, Colleen is not just a grandmother or retiree; she is the proud leader of the 1st Brownie Boksburg Girl Guides, a group of spirited girls aged seven to 11 who meet weekly to learn, play, and grow. 'It all started with my granddaughter. She was a Brownie, and I volunteered to help with the games one afternoon a week. The girls were so enthusiastic, the leaders so grateful, and something inside me just clicked. I felt alive, needed, and inspired,' Colleen recalls. That simple act of kindness soon blossomed into a deeper commitment. When the need arose to open a new Guiding group in Benoni, the Boksburg leader moved away and Colleen stepped up, training officially to become a Brownie leader. 'Becoming a leader wasn't just about helping; it became a passion. These girls have taught me more than I ever imagined. They've taught me how to laugh freely again, how to live in the moment, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.' Colleen's story echoes a wider legacy. For 115 years, the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts movement has empowered over 250 million girls worldwide. From earning badges and learning life skills to serving their communities, the movement continues to equip young women with the confidence and resilience to become future leaders. 'It's not just about crafts or camping,' Colleen explains. 'It's about developing character, leadership, and values like respect, kindness, and teamwork. We provide a safe space for girls to be themselves and grow.' Her weekly meetings are filled with excitement; from creative crafts and outdoor adventures to important lessons about self-worth, friendship, and helping others. 'For many of these girls, Brownies is more than an activity; it's a lifeline and a launchpad.' Also Read: Girl Guides learn lifesaving skills at First Aid Competition While Colleen gives so much to the girls, she's quick to say the biggest gift has been what the experience has given her. 'So many people worry about what they'll do after retirement. But this journey has given me more than just something to do. It's given me purpose. It's shown me that no matter your age, you can still make an impact.' A call to community Colleen encourages others, especially retirees and community members, to consider becoming Adult Leaders. 'You don't need to be perfect. You just need to love children, be enthusiastic, and be willing to give a bit of your time. The rewards are incredible. These kids will change your life.' The Girl Guides movement welcomes girls of all ages: Teddies (4-7) Brownies (7-11) Guides (11-14) Rangers (14-18) And for adults like Colleen, it's a chance to mentor, inspire, and rediscover the joy of play, laughter, and shared growth. Join the adventure The 1st Boksburg Brownies meet on Mondays from 17:00 to 18:30 at the Guide Hall on Southvale Road. If you or your child would like to join, or if you'd like to train as an Adult Leader, contact Colleen on 082 372 6582. 'It's never too late to start a new adventure, and it's never too early to help shape the future.' Also Read: Boksburg Brownies turn fun into future leadership
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Girl Scouts CEO Says Investing in Girls Is Key to a Bright Future
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Beyond the cookie sales and green vests filled with colorful patches, Girl Scouts is a legacy organization that has been helping girls become stronger leaders for over a century. "Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place," Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski told Newsweek in an email. "We want them to know the future is theirs to lead." Leading Girl Scouts of the USA as the CEO since 2023 is both a "tremendous responsibility and a tremendous opportunity," Barczykowski said. She said her goal is to ensure the organization remains relevant in what it offers girls and to close the gaps that exist so that more girls, volunteers and communities can "fully experience the life-changing benefits of Girl Scouts—especially those we have yet to reach." Barczykowski joined Girl Scouts at the local level in Missouri as a board member and then COO in 2012, ultimately serving as CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for nearly a decade. There, she transformed the program, expanding access to include more girls while leading a $50 million fundraising campaign. Prior to working at Girl Scouts, Barczykowski began her career as an elementary school teacher. She then transitioned into sales and marketing for a major airline before opening and operating five Curves fitness franchises. She told Newsweek that all her experiences and the perspective she's gained from them deeply inform her leadership today. "I bring both local and national insight to the table, and I lead with clarity, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the power of girls," she said. "My career has never followed a straight line, and that's what makes it unique. It's proof that courageous moves and unexpected turns can lead to extraordinary outcomes." Girl Scouts was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, at a time when women and girls had limited opportunities. The organization has since grown to include nearly two million members from 111 local Girl Scout councils and troops in more than 92 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas. The Girl Scout Law promotes honesty, fairness, courage, respect, sisterhood and service — values that serve as the foundation of an organization existing in an ever-changing world. "The girls we serve are always moving forward—fast—and it's our responsibility to stay in step with their pace and potential," she said. "So we'll continue to evolve to make the Girl Scout experience relevant, exciting and accessible for every girl, ensuring her individual goals and dreams are reflected." Women's Global Impact: Bonnie Barczykowski Women's Global Impact: Bonnie Barczykowski Newsweek Illustration Leading an organization that has been around for over 100 years can be daunting. But Barczykowski is up to the task. The Girl Scouts of today have different interests, priorities and challenges than scouts of the past. "My biggest, and most exciting, challenge as the CEO of an organization with such a powerful legacy—113 years of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place—is ensuring that that legacy endures and that Girl Scouts is thriving for 113 more years," she said. When leading an organization that centers on building girls' character and teaching them the importance of "leaving the world better than they found it," Barczykowski said practicality and empathy are equally important to being a solution-minded leader. Along with her "talented and dynamic" leadership team, and 111 council CEOs across the country, Barczykowski is committed to "revolutionizing" engagement with members, amplifying impact and "securing tomorrow as responsible and passionate stewards of Girl Scouting." Noorain Khan said being a Girl Scout changed her life – the organization brought her lifelong friendships, encouragement from adult mentors and opportunities to get involved with leadership and social justice programs. That formative experience kept her involved in the organization through adulthood, serving as a young adult volunteer, a National Board member and now as the National President and Daisy troop leader. Khan said Barczykowski is an incredible leader and partner, describing her as wise, kind, intentional, strategic and clear. "As a former council CEO, she knows what it means to deliver for our girls day in and day out," she said. "She always listens and tries to understand. And she's a visionary who believes that the impossible is possible—and, very importantly, she knows how to bring people along in that vision." Understanding and empathy are key when leading Girl Scouts through fast-paced technological advances and a post-pandemic society. The organization's internal research shows that more than half of girls ages five through 13 said they think the idea of being a grown-up sounds scary. In recent years, Girl Scouts has increased efforts to prepare girls to tackle the world's most pressing issues. After a recent study showed that nearly 70 percent of girls experience loneliness, Girl Scouts launched the Mental Health Initiative in 2021 in response to the growing mental health crisis among girls, in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and HCA Healthcare. This includes new mental health-related patch programs designed to facilitate important conversations and provide resources and materials to scouts and troop leaders. In the last year, Girl Scouts has also received a $30 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support character development initiatives and partnered with the League of Women Voters to support the Promote the Vote program and other civic engagement opportunities within Girl Scouts. "My greatest hope is to ignite that same spark in today's girls—to help them discover who they are, what they care about, and how powerful they already are," Khan said. "Because I'm not just helping build the future of Girl Scouts—I'm giving back to the sisterhood that helped build me." Khan said Girl Scouts has always tried to "meet girls where they are" to help best prepare them for the challenges ahead. This includes the addition of the Girl Scout Advisory Board, which features 22 Girl Scouts from across the country who help shape the organization by advising on everything from global leadership to mental wellness, outdoor exploration and the future of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. "Through all this evolution, our purpose has never been clearer: we don't just prepare girls for the future; we prepare them to lead it," she said. As society has progressed to expand the rights, freedoms and opportunities for women, Girl Scouts must keep up to promote diversity and accessibility for all girls. Barczykowski said Girl Scouts from all walks of life bring their own unique perspectives, passions and energies to their journeys within the organization. And it is Girl Scouts' organizational priority, she said, to reach every girl in every community and eliminate any obstacle that prevents any girl from getting involved. As a young hijab-wearing Muslim girl, Khan said she didn't look like most of her troop, but she felt seen, supported and celebrated. It was that sense of belonging that helped her believe in herself and inspired the culture she wants to continue as a leader. "One of my top priorities is making sure every girl feels she truly belongs in Girl Scouts—and knows this is a place where she can grow, lead and thrive," she said. "That means doing more to engage communities of color, girls with disabilities, girls who don't feel like they belong and girls who face financial barriers. They deserve to feel safe, welcomed and fully supported—and to experience the same powerful outcomes as every Girl Scout." Khan said her goals are rooted in purpose – building a thriving organization with flourishing local councils and a powerful, united movement that continuously grows in strength and relevance. She is the first Muslim American and Millennial to hold the position of National Board President. At the 2023 National Council Session, where she was elected National President, the body also voted to codify anti-racism into its constitution to eradicate discrimination within the organization. Girl Scouts is "one of the most unique and enduring forces for good in the world," she said, and said she's deeply committed to ensuring more girls in every corner of the country have access to its "life-changing power." "When girls become Girl Scouts, the impact doesn't stop with them—it ripples outward into families, neighborhoods and communities," she said. "That's why I'm focused on helping build an organization that's not only healthy and future-ready, but one that is as welcoming as it was when I walked into my first troop meeting." Barczykowski wants girls all over the world to know their worth, trust in their potential and make their dreams a reality. For everyone else, her advice is to invest in girls. "They're not just the leaders of tomorrow—they're leading in incredible ways today, and they want to put their skills to use," she said. "Introduce a mentorship program, invite a Girl Scout troop to learn more about your field, create an internship program for Gold Award Girl Scouts, or encourage your staff to volunteer with their local Girl Scout council. It's never too early to start inspiring our future workforce." Bonnie Barczykowski is one of the panelists at Newsweek's Women's Global Impact Forum that will take place at Newsweek's headquarters at One World Trade Center in New York City, on August 5, 2025. The forum aims to connect senior female executives across all industries and job functions with rising stars on the path to C-suite positions to discuss leadership, innovations and how they are inspiring all women to succeed in the business world.
Indianapolis Star
07-07-2025
- General
- Indianapolis Star
Scrub Hub: Arboretum director protects the living 'creatures' at Crown Hill Cemetery
This is the second edition of our Scrub Hub with a new format. We are reaching out across Indiana to speak one-on-one with Hoosiers who have something to say about our natural environment and presenting those interviews in this new Q&A style. If you know anyone who should be featured, please let us know. Bitternut hickories, swamp white oaks and American elms freckle the landscape inside the gates of Crown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum. So do some 133 other tree species — and Indiana's largest known specimen of hornbeam. Carrie Tauscher, the arboretum's director, stands amidst it all, peering up into the canopy to look for damage. After recent storms, there is quite a bit to be found. She's something of a Lorax around these parts. Her job is to plant, maintain and advocate for the 11,000 or so trees that grow alongside the buried coffins and mausoleums. Every day seems to bring a new adventure: in between tree care duties, she leads workshops, tours and weeding days for Girl Scouts, volunteers and home schoolers. Tauscher has been the arboretum's director for over three years, and she showed us some of her favorite trees while answering a few questions about life in the cemetery for this edition of Scrub Hub. Her answers are edited for brevity and clarity. SUGGEST A SUBJECT: Know someone doing good things for Indiana's environment and want to see them featured here? Email Karl and Sophie at: and to let us know. Storms. Absolutely, and constantly. I literally watched all those trees fail in the storm last night. I was out here planting, and I just watched them all go "plooph!" I just planted 30 trees today but that's not even enough canopy to replace one tree that we lost. After every storm, I go back around and determine whether or not those trees get to stay or if they should go. Not every tree failure is catastrophic or visible. Sometimes a tree has failed, but it stayed upright, and so we assess those trees as quickly as possible. Those are almost more dangerous. If someone sees a broken tree, they're like, 'Ooh, I'll avoid the broken tree.' But some trees could be cracked all the way down the middle from the roof plate to the top of the tree, but to the average cyclist or pedestrian walking in the cemetery using it for recreation, they're like, 'Oh, it's just a tree. It's fine.' And then you get a gentle gust, and one half of that tree completely falls over. Statistically, you would be struck by lightning three times before a tree would actually physically hurt you. But you should be cautious, right? When I was very little we went out to the woods and we dug some tree seedlings. We each got to pick out our own. They were planted in our yard, and that was our grow-with-me tree. That was the tree that I watered, that was the tree I mulched, and that was the tree I helped mom and dad prune. It was my tree. Even going to college after moving away from the farm for a while, I still checked on that tree. Consciously or not, that tree is still a part of my life. Trees are one of the few living things that can live as long or longer than you do, and you get to watch them grow and change, just like humans grow and change throughout their lifespan. And I think that is really beautiful. This living landscape is a historic artifact. The entire site is designed, from where the roads are placed, where the trees are placed to how the sites are topographically set. Every one of these grave shafts has a concrete box under it, and in a way, this is as urban as a city street in New York. But part of being a tree museum is to have the trees and the specimens for people to love and enjoy and learn from. That's why we have volunteer activities and field trips and homeschool day and all these cool things that are happening. The more grave shafts that are filled, the less space there is to fit the trees in. We have to find a balance between our purpose as a cemetery and making sure there is space for trees so that we continue to have wonderful specimens and a beautiful landscape for people to visit. A lot of people are stoked about pollinators. And a lot butterflies and moths rely on native tree species for the larval stage of their life cycle. Caterpillars eat native tree leaves, not the squishy, herbaceous plants. Luna moths need sweet gum and hickory, and question mark butterflies need hackberry trees. So, your pollinator garden should include trees! IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
The Guardian
04-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Independence Day celebrations
Fireworks light up the St Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch in anticipation of Fourth of July celebrations Photograph: David Carson/AP Evelyn Collins from Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico before the Independence Day parade in Santa Monica, California Photograph: Richard Vogel/AP A protest sign along the parade route in Avondale Estates, Georgia Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA A patriotic dog in Avondale Estates, Georgia Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA Girl Scouts from Troop 436 on their float in the Fourth of July parade in McAllen, Texas Photograph: Delcia Lopez/AP Members of the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performing at the National Archives in Washington DC Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Vivienne Young rides her scooter under a giant American flag in Santa Monica, California Photograph: Richard Vogel/AP The baseball game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets at Citi Field, New York City Photograph: Angelina Katsanis/AP A woman's sequined patriotic hat sparkles during the Fourth of July parade in Greeley, Colorado Photograph: Mark Makela/Reuters A volunteer passes out US flags during the Fourth of July parade in Avondale Estates, Georgia Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA
