Youth Groups

The Giraffe Heroes Program is ideal for youth groups, including beyond-the-bell sponsors and supporters.

It:

• provides fun, meaningful content for kids aged 6-18, including exciting stories of real heroes;
• gets them involved in active service to their communities; and
• helps them build lifelong commitments to good citizenship.

Normally, service-learning programs such as the Giraffe Heroes Program have to wedge themselves into the time slots in a normal school day. But doing the Giraffe Heroes Project during the time kids are out of school opens up a world of possibilities for the kids, the providers and the communities. The large block of time between 3:00 and 6:00 PM, for example, is perfect for projects in the community.

Weekend programs and summer camps are also great venues for service activities using The Giraffe Heroes Program.

Here's what a few beyond-the-bell providers have to say —

"I'm amazed at how much The Giraffe Heroes Program brought the kids together for a common cause… When I found the Program I thought 'This is it! Something to get them outside themselves.' And it works!"

"The Giraffe Heroes Program helps kids take the limits off themselves and also gives them a step-by-step process on how to achieve their goals. It helps them recognize the possible."

"The Giraffe Heroes Program made me realize what kind of a leader I am. It made me think that I really do have an effect on kids… Kids really need this positive focus."

"It makes learning, caring and community service fun."

"The Giraffe Heroes Program has taught the kids that you are never too young, too small or too few in numbers to make a difference. It gives them some direction about how to put your first foot forward. … The structure of the Program is terrific."

“I think it's critical that these high-risk kids buy into doing something for someone else. The Giraffe Heroes Program helps them see that there are people who could use their skills. It gives them a sense of being important and a sense of commitment to society. If they just get just a taste of that, it's a high for them, and for the facilitators. It takes them outside of their own lives—that's why I'm such an advocate of this program.”

"I think I could have worked for ages and ages on self-esteem, but through the Giraffe Project the kids have really learned what it means in just a few weeks."

"I see an increased awareness in the girls of the possibility of making a difference and that they, personally, can do it. They are looking at their own lives, reflecting, and seeing that they can. The Giraffe Heroes Program really instills a determination in the girls to do something that makes a difference. It gives them ideas, even at their age of what they can do for the community. It gives them a lot of confidence. It really fits in with Girls Inc.'s mission…"

"The Giraffe Heroes Program is well-organized, there's a lot of variety throughout, you can tailor it to your group and it doesn't take a lot of prep time. Once you grab the kids with it, they want to do it…"

"The Giraffe Heroes Program develops self-esteem and encourages girls to take risks rather than sit back-to get involved in making a difference."