Troop 6000 Expands to Serve Recent Immigrants, Bringing Girl Scouting to NYC Emergency Shelter
May 09, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linnea Mumma, linnea@anatgerstein.com, 347-861-4167
–Girl Scouts of Greater New York new site serves more than 100 recent immigrants and asylum seekers–
(New York, N.Y.) —Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) recently expanded and adapted Troop 6000’s supportive programming to address the social and emotional needs of newly arrived young people. In January 2023, Troop 6000 launched a new site in an NYC Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center, which now serves more than 100 Girl Scouts.
With the influx of recent immigrant families into the New York City shelter system as a whole, the organization is also actively responding to shifting demographics of Troop 6000 members broadly with adaptations and enhancements across all partner sites. As of April 2023, more than 40% of Troop 6000 members speak Spanish as their primary language, a marked increase.
“The Girl Scout community in New York City always has its arms wide open. Girl Scouting is an especially powerful force in a young person’s life any time they’re going through a period of uncertainty or change. By learning new things, having fun, and forging new friendships, Girl Scouts build confidence through adversity.” said CEO Meridith Maskara. “We are proud to adapt and expand Troop 6000 to serve recent immigrants and asylum seekers. With the generous support of our partners, we will always answer the call to serve ALL girls and young people in New York City.”
With the expansion of the program, more than 600 girls and women across New York City are currently members of Troop 6000. Since its inception in 2017, Troop 6000 has brought the Girl Scouting experience to more than 2,500 girls and women living in over 20 different NYC family shelters.
Troop 6000 is specifically designed to serve young people living in temporary housing by integrating trauma-informed care and mental and emotional health training into Girl Scouts’ signature leadership development program. Girl Scouts meet weekly for troop meetings, earn badges in subjects ranging from STEM to Business & Entrepreneurship, explore New York City on field trips, and attend camp in upstate New York—all at no expense to families. Like all other Girl Scout programming, Troop 6000 focuses on leadership development, equipping members with the needed skills and confidence to chart their own courses in life.
Troop 6000 is run by a dedicated team at Girl Scouts of Greater New York, which includes a social worker, transition specialist to support Girl Scouts as they move out of shelter, and bilingual team members to expand and enhance the organization’s ability to serve Spanish-speaking families across all Troop 6000 sites.
This expansion of Troop 6000 is being made possible by the generous support of donors and funders, in particular the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, New York Life Foundation, The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies, The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, and The Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
About Girl Scouts of Greater New York: Girl Scouts of Greater New York is New York City’s oldest and largest girls’ leadership organization, reaching tens of thousands of girls ages 5 to 18 in every zip code of the five boroughs. Through Girl Scouts, girls explore STEM, business and entrepreneurship, environmental leadership, and outdoor adventure, advocacy, and so much more. Girl Scouting is ‘by girls, for girls,’ and today’s Girl Scouts learn to lead with courage, confidence, and character, to make the world a better place. Visit www.girlscoutsnyc.org to learn more.
