By Jenifer Bubenik, Community Cultivation Specialist

Last month our Council had the privilege of hosting the 1st Annual Latino Leaders Roundtable Breakfast, bringing together community organizations like El Pueblo, el Centro Para Familias Hispana, and The Tomorrow Fund to share how the Girl Scouting experience gives every girl the confidence and personal leadership skills she needs to realize her full potential.

Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines is working hard to bring together girls from different cultures every day, giving them a place to celebrate their own heritage and learn about others’. This event provided the opportunity to share exciting information with our community partners like the fact that there are now more than 3,000 Latinas participating in Girl Scouting with our council.

Current and past volunteers shared how their daughters had been timid and shy before joining troops, but now have the confidence to speak in front of groups and are excited to join their new friends during meetings.  Volunteers also said Girl Scouting had helped them personally, by meeting other Latina moms and teaching new skills to young women. Read more about their stories featured in QuéPasa news.

For girls and their families looking to be involved in Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines in a Spanish-preferred setting, we have made it easier than ever!  More and more Girl Scout materials are becoming available in Spanish providing mothers (and other family members such as grandmothers, aunts, and older sisters) the tools needed to participate with the girls and play a leadership role.

Speaking of leadership roles, did you know that our CEO of GSUSA, Anna Maria-Chavez is the first Latina to head our organization?  Watch her inspirational video proving that Girl Scouts are more successful in school, relationships, and careers.

Girls and families can join us at the Railhawks Latin Fest on April 20, El Ritmo Festival in Cary on May 11, or the Blueberry Festival in Burgaw on June 13.  Stop by our booth and say hi or bring your friends to get involved!  See you there!