INDIANAPOLIS — A new partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools and Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis will bring more resources to middle school girls this year.
In the 2024-2025 school year, the two organizations are partnering for a pilot program at three middle schools, including Arlington Middle School.
"It's been very noticeable," Principal Dr. Iesha Billups said. "The confidence in our students, the growth in our students."
During the programming, girls learned how to navigate gender, economic and social barriers. They also learned about positive decision-making and how to grow up healthy, educated and independent.
"In urban schools, sometimes, there are a lot of things that they don't experience or haven't been exposed to, s this definitely helps them with exposure and experience," Billups said.
Arlington eighth-grader Neveah Sanders said Girls Inc. makes her feel more confident at school.
"Yeah, it makes me feel like more of a leader," Neveah said.
DeOndra Craig is the program coordinator who works with the girls each Thursday afternoon.
"I would definitely describe them as energetic and funny," Craig said. "They are very smart. They are very confident."
"Oh, the girls? They're amazing," Nevaeh said.
Craig is an IPS graduate herself. She said she understands the difference this program can make.
"Being with these girls, seeing myself in the same seats, I definitely want to give them everything that I wish I would have had at their age," Craig said. "I think as long as they have the correct mentorship, these girls are going to go a long way, for sure."
"Teamwork makes the dream work," Neveah said.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the pilot partnership went well, according to organizers, as it served dozens of students.
As a result, starting in the 2024-2025 school year, all seven IPS middle schools will work directly with Girls Inc.
This expansion comes as IPS adopts the stand-alone middle school system under the Rebuilding Stronger plan.
"We will have sixth, seventh and eighth grade next year," said Carole Stacker, lead counselor for Arlington Middle School. "My hope is that we get more young ladies involved."
Stacker encourages interested parents to visit a Thursday afternoon session at Arlington Middle School.
"The more we have parents' support, the more we will continue to grow and get stronger," Stacker said.
"When we first started, nobody talked to each other," Neveah said. "Now, as we've been here for a long time, it really made us all come together. Everybody is more comfortable with each other."
As part of the expansion, Girls Inc. will also introduce a program called EmpowerHub. It's designed to support sixth-graders are they transition into middle school.
"We are always going to be here to support them and mentor them," Craig said. "Once you're a Girls Inc. girl, you are always a Girls Inc. girl."