named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Celebration Dinner
Year-end event where girls from all Circles gather with invited female role models to reflect on growth, share experiences, and celebrate their development.
Field Trips
Enrichment experiences connecting girls with cultural and educational opportunities, such as theater performances, author visits, and museum trips.
Girls’ Circles
School-based weekly or biweekly support groups for middle and high school girls, led by volunteer "Muses" in partnership with school clinicians to foster emotional development and peer connections.
Girls’ Day Out
Annual event inviting 150 seventh-grade girls to Glen Sanders Mansion for a day of inspiration and education, serving as the kick-off to the Girls’ Circles program.
Parents’ Day Out
Event offering workshops and resources for parents of participating girls, focusing on adolescent development, communication, and stress management.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 2 activities
- Facilitates Girls' Circles for middle and high school girlsHosts weekly or biweekly Girls' Circles at schools in Schenectady County to provide social and emotional support, mentorship, and leadership development for girls. These sessions create safe spaces for meaningful connections and sustained personal growth.
- Hosts annual Girls' Day Out and Celebration Dinner eventsOrganizes two signature annual events: Girls' Day Out, which brings together 150 seventh-grade girls for inspiration and education, and the Celebration Dinner, which unites all Girls’ Circles at year-end for reflection, intergenerational connection, and recognition of growth.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Conducts community education on girls' challenges and developmentHosts forums, film screenings (such as “Odd Girl Out”), and educational initiatives to raise community awareness about the social, emotional, and academic challenges facing girls in Schenectady County.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Organizes educational and enrichment field trips for girlsPlans and conducts off-campus field trips to cultural, educational, and civic institutions—including SUNY Albany, miSci, and Merck Forest Animal Sanctuary—to broaden girls' horizons and provide enriching learning experiences.
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Alumni and School Community Newsletters 1 activity
- Produces annual slideshow and communications materialsCreates and presents an annual slideshow highlighting girls' participation and program activities at the Celebration Dinner, and produces a quarterly newsletter titled The Circle to maintain stakeholder engagement.
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Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
- Provides family support through parent workshopsOffers workshops for families of participating girls to support understanding of adolescence, communication about difficult topics, and stress management.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognizes community contributions through Roots & Wings AwardAdministers the annual Roots & Wings Award, established in 2014, to honor members and community partners who demonstrate leadership and commitment to supporting girls.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Facilitates intergenerational connection and public speaking at Celebration DinnerAt the annual Celebration Dinner, each girl invites an important woman from her life to foster intergenerational bonds, and participates in a speaking program to reflect on her personal development over the year.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$26K
Contributions & grants$26K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$48K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$40K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$285
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$85
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -50.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA LAFONTAINE | Program Coordin | 28 | $37K |
board members · 11
- BERNICE RIVERA — Director
- CYNTHIA FARMER — Director
- DANIELA PUORTO — Director
- DR LORENDA CHISOLM — Director
- JALEESCE BROWN — Director
- JOYCE AKHELUMELE — Director
- PAMELA CARTER — Director
- RACHEL CURTIS — Director
- SHANE COTTO — Director
- THERESA CASULLO — Director
- TJESA JACOBS — Director
relationships · 59
Who they work with
- 100 Hispanic Women of the Capital District Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- American Association of University Women Partner — Collaborative partner in initiating early programming as part of a joint committee.
- American University Women Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- BDO YES (Boys Day Out Youth Enrichment Services) Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Boys and Girls Club Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Boys and Girls Club Partner — Partner organization represented in early collaborative programming efforts.
- CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of the Capital Region Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Capital Region BOCES Partner — Partner agency involved in early collaborative programming and forums.
- Carver APPS Partner — Partner organization represented in early collaborative programming efforts.
- Girls Inc. Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Girls Inc. Partner — Partner organization involved in early collaborative programming and forums.
- Girls Scouts NENY Partner — Partner organization represented in early collaborative programming efforts.
- Glen Sanders Mansion Partner — Hosted the first Parents' Day Out event.
- Glen Sanders Mansion Partner — Hosts the Girls' Day Out event for seventh-grade girls.
- Interfaith Community of Schenectady, Inc. Partner — Recognized WGGS with the James Stamper Community Service Award for collaborative programming to support girls.
- Junior League Schenectady & Saratoga Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Kulak’s Nursery and Landscaping Partner — Donated over 100 flowering plants annually for seven years for the Celebration Dinner event.
- League of Women Voters NYS Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- League of Women Voters Schenectady Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- League of Women Voters of Schenectady County Partner — Founding and ongoing partner in establishing and growing the organization and its programs.
- Merck Forest Animal Sanctuary Partner — Hosted a field trip for girls.
- Mont Pleasant Middle School Partner — Hosted an author visit event for girls participating in the One County One Book Program.
- Muses Partner — Muses participate as speakers and supportive figures in the Celebration Dinner.
- NYSUT Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- New York State League of Women Voters Government — Provided fiscal sponsorship and administrative support during WGGS's early development.
- Niskayuna School District Partner — Partner district involved in early collaborative programming and forums.
- PFLAG Partner — Partner organization represented in early collaborative programming efforts.
- Phila Foundation of Emma Willard School Funder — Provides financial support to Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc.
- Planned Parenthood Partner — Collaborates with Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc. in supporting the health and well-being of girls.
- Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson Funder — Provides financial support to Working Group on Girls of Schenectady Inc.
+ 29 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Two-Generation Approach with Family and Parent Support 76 orgsmethodology: family-centered_supportBy extending educational and emotional support to parents through workshops and resources, the organization strengthens girls’ development because family engagement reinforces learning and creates a more supportive ecosystem for growth.shared approach: Family-Centered Development →
- Relational Mentorship with Trained Adult Guides 44 orgsmethodology: mentor-supported_relational_modelBy pairing girls with trained adult mentors (Muses) who provide non-instructional, relational support, the organization fosters sustained personal development and resilience because consistent, trusting relationships enable girls to develop voice and agency.shared approach: Mentorship-Driven Development →
- Experiential Learning for Future Visioning and Critical Thinking 9 orgsmethodology: experiential_education_for_future_visioningBy designing field trips as culturally enriching, experiential learning opportunities, the organization helps girls build concrete visions of their futures and develop critical thinking, because direct exposure to new environments disrupts limiting narratives and makes aspirations tangible.shared approach: Experiential Exposure →
- School-Embedded Collaborative Support Model 7 orgsmethodology: school-based_collaborative_modelBy delivering girls' programming within schools through partnerships with school-based clinicians, the organization increases accessibility and alignment with developmental needs, because embedding services in familiar, trusted environments reduces barriers and strengthens coordinated care.shared approach: Embedded Integration Model →