National Network and History

In 1981 local women opened the Girls Club of Holyoke in the former Tommy’s Taxi Building.  In 1990, when the national office of Girls Clubs of America changed their name to Girls Inc., the Girls Club of Holyoke followed suit. Girls Inc. of Holyoke, now Girls Inc. of the Valley, was built on the foundation of 150 years of service to our grandmothers, our mothers, ourselves, and now, our daughters.

Girls Inc. of the Valley is an independent organization affiliated with the national office of Girls Inc., headquartered in New York City.  Through that office, we connect with 84 sister affiliates across the U.S. and Canada, from California to New Hampshire, Alberta to Ontario, and many places in between.

Research informs everything we do. Twice annually, the national office publishes the “Girls Inc. Fact Book” as part of their extensive research into the lives of girls and young women in the U.S. and Canada today.  This research ensures that we deliver the most valuable experience to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold.

Girls Inc. National keeps gender equality in the national conversation. They advocate with elected officials, policy makers, corporations and community organizations on issues that affect girls such as equality in education, violence prevention and juvenile justice.

We are proud of our Girls Club roots and how we have grown. We continue to gather and inspire communities of girls and young people, serving youth from low-income families and advocating for gender equality.