PRESS RELEASE: As Lamont Pauses Sports, Girls With Impact Provides Safe After-School Program from Home
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IN RESPONSE TO LAMONT’S MOVE TO CLOSE SPORTS, CONNECTICUT-BASED GIRLS WITH IMPACT MOVES TO MAKE ITS AFTER-SCHOOL VIRTUAL MINI-MBA ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
STAMFORD, CT. – November 20, 2020 – With Connecticut now in the red zone with COVID surging at a positivity rate of 6.5% and the Governor’s move to shut after-school sports for now, Girls With Impact is moving to help parents.
The non-profit organization is making its live, online, coach-led business and leadership training available to students' parents statewide, thanks to the support of Eversource Energy.
“We can’t let our students fall behind,” said CEO Jennifer Openshaw, who serves on the Governor’s Council for Women & Girls. “Learning from home can truly advance our students in Connecticut – in leadership, college and work readiness and so much more.”
The Governor, in his move to address sports safety, said that “Many infections are related to sports. There are 17 cases related to sports teams, 29 outbreaks, and 235 teachers have had to quarantine due to sports team members.”
In response to these alarming numbers, Governor Lamont announced that all high school winter sports and all club sports are postponed until January 19th.
Over 3,000 students have undergone Girls With Impact’s virtual classes – driving improvements in confidence, leadership, tech and STEM skills. In fact, students have created ventures to address diversity in sports and Covid.
“Students are turning the passion for sports, social justice and climate protection into ventures – and getting a tremendous leg-up for college in the process,” added Openshaw, who’s appeared on Oprah.
Some examples:
Jody Bell, 18, CEO, In Case of Deportation, website that provides youth at risk of deportation with help and resources.
Emily Brydges, 14, CEO, No Loose Ends, a venture that offers a collection of colored shoe-laces to raise funds for the Campaign for Female Education.
Lynette Guaba, 18, CEO, Helping Hands, a program designed to help connect volunteers with available positions in the community.
Girls With Impact’s 10-week after-school program is led by real business coaches – guiding students from their passions to a business. The nonprofit is offering its program at a 60% tuition break (making it just $20 a class) and full scholarships for low and moderate income families.
Students leverage the program for:
Community service requirements
College and scholarship recommendations
College applications and resume material
The program drives college prep and workforce readiness outcomes in areas that have long been barriers to women’s success. For example:
85% of graduates report improved leadership confidence
91% improve public speaking
93% feel more college ready
“COVID-19 has been a turning point for home-based education – parents see that live, online learning from home can drive powerful results in their children,” added Openshaw.
The next Girls With Impact Academy session starts the week of November 30th with a COVID Relief offer of $199 for 10-weeks ($20/class). Sign up at https://www.girlswithimpact.org/the-academy with the code FB199 by November 29th.
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About Girls With Impact: Girls With Impact, a 501c3, is the nation’s only live, online mini-MBA for girls 12-18, designed with Harvard leaders. Offered year-round, the 10-week, after-school Business and Innovation Academy moves girls from ideation to a business plan and venture pitch, driving improvements in confidence, leadership, college readiness and professional skills for success. Programs offered include virtual camps, workforce readiness workshops and virtual mentoring. Girls With Impact was developed by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jennifer Openshaw to increase the number of diverse women leaders and innovators in today’s workforce. Watch this.
Contact:
Serena Norr
347.633.0894