Girls Inc. Welcomes New Executive Director
By ALANA MELANSON | amelanson@lowellsun.com | Lowell Sun
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As Girls Inc. looked for a new director, it called upon The Leap Network Founder & CEO Bobby Tugbiyele for assistance in a national search to find qualified candidates who would not only be in tune with the girls but also with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues and the vision for the organization moving forward, according to board of directors President Sue LaRoche.
She said the search found several fantastic candidates for the job, and Filipp stood out among them as someone who really understood all levels of an organization, from hands-on experience in programs up to leadership and development.
LaRoche said Filipp and the board share the goals of developing staff to move onto higher positions within the organization and learn new skills, and to bring in more education for the board and staff on DEI issues. LaRoche said they also agree on the priority to increase the diversity of board members and staff to reflect that of the girls they serve, to give them good role models they can see themselves in.
“Ashley is very supportive of that, and has been very involved with the DEI Committee as well,” LaRoche said. “We’re moving in a wonderful direction.”
Filipp, who started Jan. 4, said it’s been a “phenomenal experience” so far in Lowell, working with a board of directors she feels are “really here to serve and expand our mission and evolve our mission to meet the growing needs of girls in the community.”
“We’re always listening to the girls, responding to what their needs are and what issues are facing them, and we cater our programming to make sure we’re addressing those issues,” Filipp said.
She said the coronavirus pandemic really shone a light on a number of challenges and inequities they face, such as food insecurity. Filipp said it prompted Girls Inc. to expand from primarily after-school offerings for girls ages 5-18 to become full-day, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., to meet the needs of girls who are in remote learning.
The organization provides a safe, supportive environment with academic support from professionally trained staff and ensures the girls have access to nutritious meals and snacks and opportunities to engage in physical and social activities, she said.
About 40 remote learners come daily, and the facility has plenty of space to safely double that if needed, Filipp said.
“The girls are in their pods and able to socialize with other girls that may not be in their same class or same school, but they’re building those relationships, which is really critical and important,” she said.
Girls Inc. recently purchased the former Greek American Veterans Club next door, which it plans to use for additional educational program and administrative space, LaRoche and Filipp said. They said the organization is currently in the private phase of a capital campaign that aims to fund renovations to the new building and work needed elsewhere on the Girls Inc. campus.
While the plans have not been finalized, they said they are aiming to launch a civic engagement program in the new space.
“We hope to have many of the community leaders come in and provide the girls with some education as to how things actually work, both in government and nonprofits,” LaRoche said.
Between Filipp bringing fresh ideas and the organization’s footprint expanding, LaRoche said it is an exciting time for Girls Inc., “with endless possibilities for what we can offer to the girls.”
Filipp said she’s excited for the creation of the next strategic plan, and involving the team, board and community partners in that effort.
“Ultimately, my goal is that we become the preferred provider of resources and programs and services for girls in Greater Lowell,” she said.