When I was 6 years old, I started in the summer as a Girls Inc. member. Like any young girl, I was nervous but quickly grew to appreciate getting to spend my days with other girls, making friends and memories throughout the summer.  Girls Inc. not only provided me with lifelong friendships with other members but also gave me a chance to interact with wonderful female role models, many of whom I still consider friends today. Girls Inc. was truly a safe place for me and allowed me to grow and mature in a way I don’t think I could have otherwise.  The programming at Girls Inc. reinforced that I could do anything I set my mind to and empowered me to pursue my goals.

As I got older, I carried the lessons of empowerment with me.  When I started my undergraduate degree at Franklin College I was once again given the opportunity to be involved with this wonderful organization. This time, I had the privilege to be the role model for younger girls that others had been for me. Working at Girls Inc. was my favorite job I held in college, I worked both during the school year as well as during the summer. I tried to impress upon the girls I worked with that they were strong, smart, and capable and that they could achieve any goal they set if they worked hard. I enjoyed my years working at Girls Inc. so much that after my first year of law school, while my fellow students were taking internship positions in the legal field, I chose to work at Girls Inc. for one final summer. I’m so thankful I did. I was unsure which area of law I wanted to focus on and decided I needed to spend a final summer in the job I loved before making the leap to something else.

After I graduated law school and had been a practicing attorney for a few years I ran into Sonya Ware-Meguiar, the CEO of Girls Inc., and she mentioned the possibility of becoming a board member. I immediately jumped at the chance to be involved with Girls Inc. Once more, this time in an entirely new capacity. The impact that my time at Girls Inc., as a member, and as an employee has had on my life and continues to have cannot be overstated. I am hopeful that together we can give this same life-changing opportunity to other young girls for years to come,” Laurel, Litchford, JD, Assistant Supervisor Special Victim’s Unit of Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Girls Inc. of Johnson County Alumna & 2022 Board Member.

I hope you will consider supporting programs and scholarships for girls.  Your support enables us to fulfill our mission and obligation to girls, their families, and our community.  Thank you for being a “Champion” and investing in our girls and the Johnson County community!