Vision
To reach children in more communities with our unique trauma informed, arts-based, and emotionally responsive academic programming, which inspires and empowers students to be their best selves every day.
Mission
​We build character, instill a positive sense of self, and provide tangible life skills through a creative arts-based curriculum with exposure to the sciences, academic reinforcement, and social-emotional learning.
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Girls First provides a safe, stable environment where students practice respect for self and others, exercise appropriate interactions with peers and adults, discover new skills and talents, and develop tools that will allow them to achieve greater success in school and beyond.
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Girls First is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), out-of-school program for girls in grades one through four that provides tuition-free services.
History
Girls First of Norristown (then known as St. Augustine Academy) opened its doors in 2009, as an outreach endeavor supported financially by St. David's Church in Radnor. The idea originated with a young woman serving as the Deacon of St. Augustine’s Church in Norristown. A fundraiser provided the seed money for our independent, non-religious after school program to be launched.
The Girls First program originally operated just one day per week working specifically with second graders. Over time, our program grew. Additional program days and grade levels were added and it continued to evolve. Girls First now provides academic and social-emotional support through a trauma-informed, arts-based after school curriculum and a two week summer camp.
Since its beginning, the goals of Girls First have been quite specific; to enrich the lives of young girls through exposure to visual arts, music, dance, drama, creative writing, culinary arts, painting, and more. In addition, homework support and a full meal are given to the girls. Above all, Girls First wants to create a safe place where girls can discover their creative gifts and build their self-esteem.
Girls First Timeline
2009-2023
