Pat Driscoll is executive director of Girls Incorporated of Lynn, a youth development agency that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Its mission is to build girls’ capacity for responsible and confident adulthood, economic independence, and personal fulfillment. In her eleven years at Girls Inc., Pat has increased the annual budget of the agency from $400,000 to $1.6 million; diversified the sources of revenue; secured multiyear grants from the city, the state, and private foundations; and overseen a staff of 35. The programs have expanded greatly, with a satellite program in place at the Washington School and after-school programs in many of Lynn's middle schools.
Pat is also a leader in the Lynn community. She serves on the board of the Lynn Home for Young Women, is a member of the Lynn Business Partnership, and participates in several community task forces and coalitions. Pat was instrumental in development of the Lynn Non-Profit Business Association and took the lead in the Lynn Summer Youth Collaborative, a new initiative formed to serve teens aged 12-15. She is the vice chair of the Girls’ Coalition of Greater Boston’s Leadership Council. She and her husband live in Lawrence with their two children.
Girls Incorporated of Lynn
Girls Incorporated of Lynn has been operating programs and advocating for girls since 1942. Its mission is to build girls’ capacity for responsible and confident adulthood, economic independence, and personal fulfillment. Its goal is to develop a continuum of services for girls aged 6-18 that inspires them to be STRONG, SMART, and BOLD. All programs build on six core content categories: (1) self-reliance and life skills; (2) careers and life planning; (3) leadership and community action; (4) health and sexuality; (5) culture and heritage; and (6) sports and adventure.
In general, the programs are divided into three categories:
Elementary-Age Programs
School-age child care at two sites for 130 girls aged 6-12;
Full-day summer camp for 130 girls aged 6-12;
Mother-daughter groups to increase communication around sexuality and goal setting.
Middle-School Programs
Eureka!, a summer math/science/sports camp for girls in grades 7 and 8, held at North Shore Community College;
Bridges, a summer program for girls going into the ninth grade, held at North Shore Community College, focused on the transition to high school;
Hermanas, an after-school program for sixth-grade girls held at local middle schools, providing academic and social support;
Odyssey, a high-expectation, school-year program focusing on academic support, sports, personal development, and career exploration for girls in middle school;
Mi Vida, Mi Viaje (My Life, My Journey), a case-management support program for girls who have pregnant or parenting teen siblings.
High-School Programs
Peer Education – participants research issues, develop activities that educate their peers and younger youth, and implement such activities around substance abuse prevention and HIV/AIDS education.
Career Learning Center -- encourages career awareness, college exploration, preparation for the college application process, etc. On-line computers, career software, college catalogues, sample SAT questions, and the like are available, along with tutoring and homework assistance. A monthly career speaker series provides young women with role models from nontraditional career paths.
Career Path – a job readiness program to prepare teens for the workplace. Participants may be placed in internships, mentoring opportunities, and/or after-school jobs.
