Our History

Girls Incorporated of Durham began as a branch of the Big Sisters movement- a well-known and respected organization that has served Canadian girls and young women since 1912.
Our traditional Big Sister/Little Sister Matching Program began in Ajax and Pickering in 1984 in response to a need identified by a group of local parents. With the assistance of the (then) Social Planning Council, and financial support from the United Way of Ajax-Pickering, Big Sisters Association of Ajax-Pickering was established.

Girls ages 6-16 were matched with carefully screened and chosen Mentor volunteers based on common interests, the experience of the volunteer and the needs of the particular girl or young woman. Since then thousands of girls have benefited from the unconditional support and friendship of a mentoring match made through our organization.

In 1988, the agency again responded to community needs by starting our Friends Program - a mentoring program for pregnant teens and young mothers. Young women were matched with experienced moms for support, guidance and parenting advice. This program was the first of its kind in Ontario and has been the model for similar programs elsewhere in the province.

In addition to our two mentoring programs, the agency offers a variety of workshops for girls and teens on relevant issues. Girls and mentors are well to attend workshops and also attend an annual street-proofing (abuse prevention) workshop. Teens attend the popular Teen Retreat Weekend where they participate in workshops, enjoy outdoor activities, Special events and activities are also held throughout the year.

United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge currently funds both mentoring programs.

Our local organization is truly volunteer-driven. Volunteers contribute at all levels of the organization as: mentors to girls and young mothers, board members, committee members, and bingo volunteers as well as assisting with group programs and activities.

In 2002, we began the most exciting phase in our history when we affiliated with another wonderful girls’ charity called Girls Incorporated. We officially changed our name to Girls Incorporated of Durham, reflecting our new affiliation and also signaling our intention to grow and to serve girls throughout the Durham Region.

A recent grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation has been making this dream a reality. In September 2004, we launched our first satellite location, in partnership with YWCA Durham, for girls in south Oshawa with Girls Inc. Operation SMART (Science, Math and Relevant Technology). In October of that year we brought Girls Inc. Operation SMART to girls in north Pickering, in partnership with William Peake Cooperative Housing.

Girls Incorporated of Durham now boasts a variety of terrific programs and services that meet the unique needs of girls. We look forward to inspiring even more girls to be strong, smart and bold with these excellent curriculum based programming!   

In 2005 Girls incorporated of Durham became the administrator of the federally funded Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP), known in the community as Food '4' Thought. The Prenatal Nutrition Program is a community based initiative that aims to reduce the incidence of unhealthy birth weights, improve the health of both infant and mother and encourage breastfeeding. CPNP Drop-in Sites are operated in 10 sites throughout Durham Region. Each drop-in site provides a safe, friendly environment where women can obtain advice from health care providers and other moms, get materials on health and wellness, and receive fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and prenatal vitamins. This program is for pregnant women and new mothers below 26 years of age. Women may register at a site any time during their pregnancy and continue to receive support until their infants are 6 months of age. For more information and site locations see Pre & Post Natal Nutrition page.                                          

What We Do

We are dedicated to helping the young women of our community to realize their full potential. We believe a "girls-only" environment is essential for achieving this goal.

Why? Research and experience show that in a pro-girl, all-girl setting:

Equity is more common;
Girls are encouraged to take positive risks;
Girls interact with more female role models;
Girls' needs and interests are served;
Girls are recognized for their achievements.

The result: girls' levels of self-confidence are boosted and they aspire to greater goals and achievements.

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