CHARTER ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: A Place for AHG to Thrive in Friendswood, Texas
GIRL STORIES
Friend Connections, Patriot Girl Leadership Training, & Getting Outdoors Together
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS
AHG Troop meetings offer girls a place to belong, cultivate lasting friendships, and have the most fun! The Explorer Unit of MD1410 enjoys a strong sense of camaraderie each week at their Troop meetings. This formational season of their lives will be strengthened through their beloved AHG Troop time together!
Dear Reader,
Loneliness is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Despite living in a world that seems more connected than ever, countless Americans experience deep isolation. A 2021 Harvard study found that 36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults—suffer from what researchers call “serious loneliness.”1
For our girls, this is especially painful. As they navigate friendships and social pressures, the messages from culture often make connection even harder. Cancel culture tells them to walk away from relationships rather than pursue grace and restoration. Social media feeds them highlight reels that leave them questioning their worth. And perhaps most concerning, society whispers that their feelings define truth— allowing loneliness to reinforce the enemy’s lie that they are unseen and unloved.
But God has a better plan. From the very beginning, He declared, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). He designed us for community—places where we are known, loved, and challenged to grow in faith. That’s exactly what American Heritage Girls (AHG) provides.
AHG is more than just a program—it is an authentic community, a Christ-centered answer to the isolation so many experience. Within an AHG Troop, girls find a safe, Holy Spirit-filled space to flourish, surrounded by mentors and peers who encourage them in truth. They experience the joy of deep, Godly friendships, the confidence that comes from serving others, and the security of knowing they belong. But AHG is not just for girls. It’s for volunteers searching for meaningful ways to pour out their God-given gifts. It’s for moms yearning for a faith-filled village to walk alongside them in raising daughters. It’s for women in every season of life, especially those asking, Where can I invest my time now that my kids have flown the nest? Whether you’re a young mom, a working professional, or stepping into retirement, AHG is a place to use your gifts, build relationships, and be part of a volunteer community where faith and purpose thrive.
Loneliness does not have to define this generation. With AHG, girls, parents, grandparents, and community members alike can experience the joy of belonging—the kind of connection that strengthens faith, restores hearts, and transforms lives. I pray you find this issue of Heritage Headlines a particularly inspiring and encouraging showcase of all the communities being built nationwide—what a gift it is to see God at work!
Serving His Girls,
Patti Garibay Founder & Executive Director American Heritage Girls, Inc.
Sharing the AHG Program with audiences across the country on Moody Radio, Salem Media Group, Fox News, The Christian Post, Focus on the Family, and more.
American Heritage Girls are fulfilling God’s call to be His hands and feet. Read about Troop service projects and their impact on local communities across the country.
Troop activities, special events, girl leadership, and more! AHG gives girls the safe and Holy Spirit-filled space to grow in their identity and abilities.
AHG Badges give girls the opportunity to develop applicable life skills, grow in faith, and discover new passions.
The secret to a thriving AHG Troop is a strong, supportive Charter Organization. Friendswood Methodist Church in Friendswood, Texas is just that for the girls and volunteers of TX1835
Meet Ashley Huff, former Girl Member of TX0226, a woman who learned to forge strong friendships in her AHG years and lean on treasured leadership training to fuel her life today.
Heather Russell, Ministry Expansion Lead, shares valuable insight on making an impact as an Area through service that transforms girls and communities alike.
Exciting updates, changes, and news from the AHG, Inc. Office in Cincinnati, OH and Staff across the country.
ABOUT THE COVER
The AHG Joining Award—a girl’s first celebration upon connecting with her Troop. This is the gateway to the thriving, authentic community available to any girl ages 5 to 18 in the AHG Program. VA0428 celebrated their annual Joining Ceremony welcoming new girls. Keziah joined as an Explorer. She attends her Troop’s Charter Organization church and heard about AHG from other girls in her Sunday school class. All the rich experiences and connections open up to Keziah now that she’s crossed the Joining Award threshold!
BEHIND THE COVER
Did you know that AHG publications, social media photos, and video content feature the smiling faces of real-live American Heritage Girls? Even AHGstore merchandise is worn not by models, but by girls, parents, and volunteers registered in the program! With tens of thousands of members all across the country (not to mention the Trailblazer families in 15 countries abroad!), AHG relies on the generous submissions of Troop photographs to tell the story of the ministry. From
Looking to share this issue with friends, family, or someone you think might love the AHG Program?
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HERITAGEHEADLINES
Want an extra hard copy for your daughter’s memory box or to give to a potential local Charter Organization?
Order today from the AHGstore by visiting store.americanheritagegirls.org
AHGNEWS
RECENT MEDIA SPOTS FOR AHG, INC.
AHG was all over the media this quarter! Check out the many interviews AHG Founder & Executive Director Patti Garibay participated in with news outlets all over the country:
WKRC Local 12 Cincinnati
Who are the American Heritage Girls and what do they stand for? local12.com/news/local/who-are-american-heritage-girls-what-do-they-stand-for-girl-scoutsarchdiocese-cincinnati-religion-controversy-interview-patti-garibay-organization-troop-love-honorgod-catholic-christianity-sexuality-faith-service-fun
His Glory TV
Patti Garibay Building Integrity in Gen Z Women on Take FiVE subsplash.com/u/hisgloryme/media/d/yn9gdd5-patti-garibay-building-integrity-in-gen-z-women-ontake-five
Politely Rude Podcast with Abby Johnson
Raising Faith-Filled Girls: Patti Garibay on Gender, Faith, and Culture abbyj.com/podcast
Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast
Raising Girls with Purpose and Faith: Inside the Founding of American Heritage Girls – Patti Garibay podcast.schoolhouserocked.com/e/raising-girls-with-purpose-and-faith-inside-the-founding-ofamerican-heritage-girls-%e2%80%93-patti-garibay-part-1
RealClear Religion
Standing for Life as an American Heritage Girl
realclearreligion.org/articles/2025/01/24/standing_for_life_as_an_american_heritage_girl_1086961. html
THRIVE! News
Celebrating & Standing for the Sanctity of Life thrivenews.co/celebrating-standing-for-the-sanctity-of-life
Texas Values
Live from NRB with Rachael Culpepper, Incoming Executive Director, American Heritage Girls facebook.com/texasvalues/videos/1835232623955859
Sacred Heart Radio
Driving Home the Faith omny.fm/shows/driving-home-the-faith/driving-home-the-faith-2025-02-10
American Family Radio’s Dr. Nurse Mama Show
Live from NRB: Rachael Culpepper: Incoming Executive Director, American Heritage Girls afr.net/podcasts/the-dr-nurse-mama-show/2025/february/live-from-nrb-rachael-culpepper-incomingexecutive-director-american-heritage-girls
Whether it’s faith, service, or fun, communities across the nation are witnessing contributions of local AHG Troops.
Heritage Headlines, AHG’s quarterly magazine, seeks to spread those good news stories while encouraging other Troops to follow in their footsteps.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Patti Garibay
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER & INCOMING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rachael Culpepper
SR. STRATEGIC GROWTH DIRECTOR
Sheila Jones
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Erin Marco
CONTENT MARKETING SPECIALIST
Natalie Ambrose
GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST
Brooke Honer
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Heather Russell
Direct all Letters to the Editor, address changes, or other correspondence to:
American Heritage Girls, Inc. 35 Tri-County Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45246 513-771-2025
news@ahgonline.org americanheritagegirls.org
AHGONLINE
COMMENTS & CONVERSATION
COMMENTS & CONVERSATION
AHG Troop MI0226’s Pioneers and Patriots completed a Chief Pontiac Trail Trek, backpacking eight miles, canoeing seven miles, and braving the cold weather with an overnight campout! What an adventure!
“That would be so amazing! I wish we could do stuff like that, but we just don’t have enough PIPAs or leaders that would be interested in something like that.”
—Missy Voigts
“Well done all y’all! Especially the leadership!”
—Joe Walters
“The trip was Chief Pontiac Trek. We used Heavners Canoe rental and camped at Kensington Park.”
—Kirk Perrin
“That makes me all kinds of happy!”
—Brendan Newell
“I can’t love this enough!”
—Traci Provenzano
“Outstanding!! Great job ladies!”
—Denise Marie
“This is INCREDIBLE!”
—Kristy Delgado
“Awesome! What an amazing trip!”
—Heather Engstrom Coulter
“Way to go ladies!”
—Karen Holzwarth
“Fantastic.”
—Robert Bob Maurer Sr.
“Amazing!”
—Jamie Cantu
“So impressive!”
—Beth Stiemke
GET FEATURED
Share your Troop photos with the hashtag #ahgfun on Instagram for a chance to be shared in Heritage Headlines.
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SERVICESTORIES
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ACTIVE CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES
DAYTON CATHOLIC TROOP SUPPORTS RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE WITH A PERSONAL CONNECTION
OH1849 of St. Brigid Parish leveraged the AHG National Day of Service to disciple Girl Members into a life of compassionate service and to bless local families through the Ronald McDonald House facility. The Troop raised $500 from the annual Bake Sale and used that proceeds to buy items to be donated to the local Ronald McDonald House in Dayton. The OH1849 Troop Shepherd shared her personal experience when the Ronald McDonald House blessed their family during her son’s extended hospital stay in the summer. Troop Members worked together to bundle snacks, toiletries, toys, and supplies to donate thereby blessing more families. The girls made encouragement cards addressed to the residents utilizing the non-profit’s services. The Troop assembled 100 bracelet craft kits featuring the words “hope,” “strength,” and “love.” An added gift of having a healthy Charter Organization connection: the parish priest taught the girls about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
ALABAMA TROOP UPCYCLES SHIRTS TO JUMP ROPES FOR AHG NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE
AHG’s middle name is service (when you consider the tagline “Faith, Service, and Fun,” that is) and the AHG Creed commends a girl’s resourcefulness. With this in mind, AL0513 served in creative resourcefulness for the 2024 National Day of Service (NDS) this past fall by upcycling old t-shirts. Through braiding strips of the shirts, the Troop volunteers skillfully guided girls to create colorful jump ropes which would then populate Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Shoeboxes. In all, the Troop was able to make 56 jump ropes through this year’s NDS project. From the youngest Pathfinders up to the wisest adult volunteer, AL0513 came together to innovatively make this fun toy to surprise OCC Shoebox recipients around the world this holiday season!
FLORIDA TROOP PARTNERS WITH TRAIL LIFE TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES
Honoring veterans reminds American Heritage Girls that freedom has a price, instills gratitude for those who sacrificed to protect it, and inspires them to live lives of courageous service. Since 2017, FL5312 has served by facilitating ceremonial wreaths at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. This December, FL5312 partnered with their local Trail Life troop to present the colors in the flag ceremony and escort military dignitaries. Amelia, a Pioneer, said “Honoring those who served and died for the privileges I enjoy today will forever remind me that freedom is not free, and I will continually be in debt to the military members [for whom] we annually lay wreaths.” Fostering a sense of Godly patriotism is important to this Troop. Pioneer Cecelia wisely said, “As an American Heritage Girl, I believe that patriotism is important because it reminds me to be grateful for the freedoms and blessings bestowed upon us and our country by God.”
GIRLSTORIES
INCREDIBLE TALES OF LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEERING, AND FRIENDSHIP
D.C. METRO AREA TEAM ARISE 2024 EVENT DELIVERS HIGH-QUALITY GIRL LEADERSHIP TRAINING
AHG Area Teams offer opportunities for Troops in a geographic vicinity to connect with one another and partner together for things like girl leadership trainings. The D.C. Metro Area Team hosted their fifth annual ARISE girl leadership training day with nearly 75 in attendance, a growth from just a handful in their first year. Troops from Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia made the short journey to attend this event rich with opportunity for learning, growth, forging new friendships, and creating last memories. GRIT with Grace girl leadership principles, servant leadership workshops, and Biblical Leadership Badge requirements afforded the vehicle for the event’s programming. For an additional benefit, Adult Member mentors were paired with Patriot Girl Members to facilitate high quality discussion and connection. These Troops will find abundant benefits when their Girl Members implement what they learned on a weekly basis.
JOINING CEREMONY CONNECTS TENDERHEART GIRL TO NEW AHG TROOP FRIENDS
Troop Joining Ceremonies are an exciting threshold for girls to step through into the wide world of AHG fun! Ruby from OH0413 welcomed her friend Justice as a new Tenderheart to the Troop during their fall Joining Ceremony. The girls already had a thriving friendship since their toddler years, so once both were settled into the Tenderheart Unit, the girls were thrilled to share lots of faith, service, and fun together! Both girls adore AHG. Ruby’s favorites include, “I love learning and earning badges. I love Troop events and being together.” Justice is particularly fond of “all the time I get to spend with my friends, new ones and old ones.” In the coming Program Year months, the girls are excited about the wood car racing event and making the most of the end of winter months by going snow tubing with the Troop.
BACKPACKING TRIP OFFERS OPPORTUNITY TO FORGE FRIENDSHIPS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES
AHG Troop ID0356, chartered by Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Couer d’Alene, took a small group of Pioneer and Patriot girls on a backpacking trip along the Marie Creek Trail into the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This one-night trip was a first time backpacking for several of the girls. After making camp, they spent a day practicing outdoor skills and learning facts about the trees and plants in the area to complete the Get Out There Patch. Evalette, a Pioneer, said, “I really liked bonding with the other girls and getting out in nature, away from all the distractions back in town. My favorite things were the playing card games, sitting around the campfire, and exploring the forest stream that ran along the trail.” Evalette overcame some challenges saying, “Some of the steep uphill hikes were challenging but the reward was view of God’s creation […] when we made it to the top.”
BADGESTORIES
LEARNING LIFE SKILLS AND BUILDING CONFIDENCE
PATHFINDER STEPPING STONES
The Pathfinder year is divided into six “Stepping Stones” that have great information and activities to help them learn the AHG Oath and other parts about the AHG Program. Each Stepping Stone features a couple of AHG Creed words, offering girls a basic understanding of this core principle and is accompanied by Bible verse anchors. Finally, each Pathfinder completes a “Frontier Fun” page in order to understand the many opportunities available to her through future badgework as a Tenderheart, Explorer, Pioneer, and then Patriot
Across the five Program Levels of AHG, the youngest Girl Members, known as Pathfinders, start with the basics— learning AHG’s history and getting a peek into various fun corners of the array of opportunities they will experience as they age up through AHG. During a Pathfinder’s Program Year, they move through Stepping Stones, earning beads on a necklace along the way. The Pathfinders of TX0641 worked on Stepping Stone #3 by creating their very own coin bank. They learned how to safely use hammers inspired by the Home Care & Repair Badge and talked about wisely using their money in line with the Money Management Badge. Activities like these give Pathfinders an engaged way to experience the fun of completing snippets of AHG Badges while growing in their confidence as resourceful and competent girls!
ARCHITECTURE BADGE
Architecture combines design and construction in the creation of physical structures. These structures can reflect cultures, time periods, and are magnificent works of art. Discover various types of architecture in nature, your neighborhood, and from past cultures.
This winter, Troop IN3712 took on the Architecture Badge within the backdrop of a famous location, “Woodside” The Davis House, a Frank Lloyd Wright design. Patriot Girl Member Elizabeth laughed that the home “is all corners and closets, so it’s perfect for hide and seek!” The Pioneer and Patriot Unit completed badge requirements with the aid of a professional architect guest speaker. The girls learned about blueprints, designs, and got a 3-D virtual tour of the modeling software the guest speaker architect uses. They also learned necessary safety parameters on a construction site. A time-lapse video showed them the entire process from breaking ground to completion. The Girl Members were able to complete nearly all the badge requirements in this two-day outing with remaining portions completed upon their return. Troop meeting time was spent with hands-on learning while girls developed their own floor plans, measuring, and learning scale.
LIVING & WORKING IN SPACE BADGE
There are many brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to exploring space. Not only do they study space from the Earth’s surface, but they spend time living and working in space. Girls learn what it’s like to be an astronaut!
Troop WA0722 explored the Living & Working in Space Badge for a unique Girl Member experience. Since hands-on learning is the best type for girls, the Troop leaders created custom experiences like working in a confined space and making “glove boxes” similar to those used in space, which was a girl favorite. Girls were resourceful, innovative, and collaborative through each learning activity. By and large, the zero-gravity aspect of this badgework offered girls moments of surprise and discovery. Sarah, a Patriot, said the most fascinating thing she learned was that “astronauts have their tools attached to a belt so the tools don’t float away.” When learning about tasks outside the space station, Danielle, a Pioneer, said a memorable lesson was “learning that ‘the eagle has landed’ refers to the space capsule that landed on the moon.” This spring, girls will complete their badge experience by launching their own rockets!
CHARTER ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT
LeeAnn Love - Charter Representative
FRIENDSWOOD METHODIST CHURCH
This issue, AHG is excited to shine a light on Friendswood Methodist, a Global Methodist Church in Friendswood, TX, home to TX1835. Charter Representative Lee Ann Love reflects on seven years of chartering an AHG Troop at their church and the significant impact AHG has had on their faith community.
ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL FORCE IN THE WELL-BEING OF AN AHG TROOP IS THE CHARTER ORGANIZATION.
Every Troop is owned by a Charter Organization, which is typically a church, school, or similarly-aligned Christian organization. Without the support of their Charter Organization, an AHG Troop would not exist. When the Charter Organization and Charter Representative are involved beyond simply providing meeting space, the AHG Ministry can have an incredible impact on the outreach of the organization.
WHY DID YOUR CHURCH DECIDE TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?
In 2018, a group of congregation members approached our Board of Stewards to request an opportunity to start a new ministry in our community. They were in AHG Troops at other local Charter Organizations and wanted to start a Troop closer to home. Many families in our area were seeking an alternative to another scouting organization that no longer aligned with their values.
Once the members had presented their case, the Board wholeheartedly acknowledged the need and voted unanimously to charter an American Heritage Girls Troop and a Trail Life USA Troop.
The Troop number, TX1835, references its initial charter year, 2018, and the life verse of the founding Troop Coordinator from Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV: “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR CHURCH HAD AN AHG TROOP?
The Troop is now in its seventh year and has grown from 40 to 85 members. We strive to invest in each of our families. As a result, several families have joined our congregation and are active members.
HOW HAS AHG AFFECTED YOUR CHURCH’S MINISTRY EFFORTS?
We have a very active Troop with a fantastic leadership team [Troop Board] devoted to bringing life to all their activities. Our American Heritage Girls Troop is well-known in our area for its outreach to the Charter Organization and their award-winning floats in the community’s 4th of July parade. The Troop has collaborated with La Marque Cemetery and Rising Star Cemetery. In addition to participating in Wreaths Across America, they also clean the cemeteries and gravestones. The Troop is actively involved in our Operation Christmas Child ministry and Village in the Park (a retirement center) while serving in more minor roles within the Charter Organization, such as preparing candles for our candlelight service and placing eggs in the field to prepare for our Eggstravaganza at Easter. Besides serving, they camp twice yearly, host derby races with our brother Trail Life troop, and host a Camping Olympics each spring with full medal ceremony and all.
Until 2023, our congregation was a United Methodist Church (UMC). However, due to the UMC’s direction, the Friendswood Methodist Church members voted to disaffiliate and become a Global Methodist Church. This was a precarious time for the Troop leadership since they felt the Statement of Faith of the American Heritage Girls Ministry no longer aligned with the UMC but did have the same values as the Global Methodist Church. The vote made the difference between staying or finding a new charter.
WHAT ADVICE
DO YOU HAVE
FOR OTHER POTENTIAL CHARTER ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?
My advice for other potential Charter Organizations is to take the step and charter a Troop; it will bless you even more than it blesses the parents and girls who are Troop members!
Charter Organizations serve a crucial role in the AHG Ministry, as they own and operate AHG Troops. Though volunteers implement the AHG Program, the Charter Organization is able to customize their AHG Troop to best accomplish their ministry goals.
The relationship between a Charter Organization and its Troop is designed to be a partnership. As a ministry partner, the AHG Troop serves as an extension of the Charter Organization. AHG values the role of the Charter Organization in the AHG Ministry as they are the “owners” of their Troop.
For more information on the chartering process, americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations
In An Epidemic of Loneliness,
AHG IS THE PLACE TO BELONG
Girlhood. A sacred time of discovery, giggles, wonder, flourishing, and being fully known. It can be tempting to say, “gone are the days” with each of these in mind—but do these describe a girlhood of days gone by? While today’s culture rushes childhood along, with technology, social media, and fashion shaping standard modern girlhood, the essence of this cherished season remains. Better news yet? There is a place that actively preserves and nurtures this season of girlhood. A place of belonging for girls that offers a prescriptive sense of hope. A place, fueled by the Holy Spirit, where girls can thrive in their girlhood through adventure and friendship. A place that invites girls and their families to learn, serve, and grow into the next generation of Godly women of integrity. This place is American Heritage Girls
The Current Landscape
A 2021 study from Harvard reported that 36% of all Americans—including a staggering 61% of young adults—experience what researchers describe as “serious loneliness.”1 These results shocked readers when they assumed the [technologically] most connected generation in history who send an average of over six billion text messages a day2 and average over four hours per day on various social media platforms3 were getting all their social relationship needs met. With six billion text messages, that’s six billion ongoing conversations happening simultaneously. With nearly five hours of social media consumption, that’s thousands of photos, video reels, and comment threads. Not only are the results of all this social tech consumption negative, they are dire. Loneliness is now considered the quiet epidemic plaguing adolescent girls.
In a nearly 90-year continued study, Harvard researchers put loneliness under the microscope to assess its counter—healthy relationships. The study found that “loneliness is twice as unhealthy as obesity, and chronic loneliness increases a person’s odds of death in any given year by 26%.”4 The snapshot shows a landscape of loneliness that can no longer be ignored or minimized. To protect the sacred season of girlhood through the ministry work of American Heritage Girls, we must address the chasm of dark loneliness that young ones face.
In a post-pandemic world, the outcroppings of isolation continue to surface. A recent assessment commissioned by Cigna found that 79% of young adults, ages 18-24, report feeling sustained loneliness.5 When left unaddressed, feelings manifest into actions and rhythms. When rhythms are sustained, the ‘best time of a young person’s life’ devolves into despair, leaving them to turn in rather than reach out. For many, the ache of those lockdown years is not a welcomed revisitation. However, it is paramount to recognize that sustained periods of loneliness and isolation, especially in children, is equated to the same effects as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)6 and that those consequences can track up to nine years after the experience.7
Once loneliness has migrated into isolation, a girl will struggle to even lift her eyes, much less her heart, to a place of hope. This is where she can lean on a truth that stands even when her heart struggles to believe. This is the truth of Scripture. Even in his loneliness, the Psalmist David spoke courage to his own heart that struggled to see hope. Even when a parent tapes a note to her mirror reminding her to “Lift your eyes, my love” can breathe life into her heart. This is the first and vital step to get a girl outside the canyon walls of isolation, to begin teaching her heart that life can look different, and that God the Father is pursuing her heart, drawing her to Himself.
By design, girls are made to be in community, to be fully known and securely belong. The Genesis 2:18 sentiment is clear: being alone is not for a girl’s deepest good. To extend the heart of God is to extend love, connection, and rich relationship to her—an ongoing journey in which she can thrive. In a culture that boasts a thinly-laced, widespread tech-connectedness, God’s call to care for others comes through intentional community—a process requiring compassion, open arms, and boundless love. Together, the Church must prioritize forming real relationships, dialoging through open conversations, and guiding girls to discover their identity in Christ to combat this loneliness and find a deeper connection to God and those we do life with. While the crisis of loneliness is real, there is hope in Christ, and with the support of a loving community, girls can find true belonging and healing.
The Risk of Being Fully Known
For girls, especially those in early adolescence, the step to ‘put herself out there’ can feel overwhelming—even terrifying! Family is the first layer to recognize when she’s paralyzed by social anxiety and to meet her with courageous love. When a girl overflows with ‘I just know that no one will like me’, ‘I’m too extra. It’s not worth trying.’ or ‘How could I even think that anyone would really understand?’, meet her with a culture of belonging starting at home. Fill her tank with affirmation language that solidifies the fact that your family is her first, “preprogrammed” authentic community. Phrases like ‘I love that you’re part of our family’, ‘I can’t imagine our family without you’, or ‘I love that you bring ___ to our family’ are small, simple ways to remind her each day that she is not alone. Encourage your family to speak these truths to one another and to build each other up!
Venturing Out
In coaxing a girl out of the darkness of loneliness and isolation, God orchestrates solid, Biblical community with more love to give than a girl could ever fathom. American Heritage Girls partners with Charter Organizations (often churches and Christian schools) in all 50 states of the U.S. through Troops. These Troops are specifically designed
with the secure structure of dedicated volunteers, Titus 2 style discipleship to foster flourishing friendships and grow strong leaders, to serve in a myriad of ways—a well-researched antidote to loneliness and depression8—and to foster girls’ confidence through ongoing skill-building. In short, AHG Troops provide a space for a girl wrapped in dark loneliness to be welcomed, to learn to laugh again, and to breathe life into her broken heart that she can and will thrive again—together, alongside other girls!
Through the divinely designed spheres of family, Biblical community, and then outward to acquaintances, girls move step-by-step into a healthy life of trustworthy relationships. Signs of joy will begin to appear in a girl who was once nearly catatonic. Her sleep patterns will normalize. Her focus will improve. Her capacity to both communicate and listen increases. Once again, her brain and physical body will connect, sharing all the joy chemicals like endorphins, serotonin, regulated dopamine, and healthy nutrient absorption. She will move from surviving to thriving because she understands that she was created on purpose, for a purpose, and that she is loved, secure, and cherished. The same girl who previously was slowly dying from the inside out will now move, breathe, and exude life, joy, love, and potential. She is once again able to live abundantly in the blessings of girlhood God provides to each of His daughters!
Flourishing & Belonging
According to God’s Holy Word, belonging means being fully known, loved, and transformed in Christ. This feeling of acceptance is not based on popularity or personal achievement but on God’s unchanging love. True belonging is rooted in our identity as children of God, members of the Body of Christ, and part of a spiritual family. Christ-following community is welcoming, loving, and transformational. Biblical belonging is not shallow or temporary but is deeply anchored in God’s design for community and covenant relationship. Belonging is more than a feeling—it’s a deeply known sense, like the Hebrew notion of lev meaning mind-heart or the deepest sense of knowing9, that is firmly planted in God’s love. While girls expect betrayal, backstabbing, manipulation and deception in worldly relationships, Biblical community offers security, loyalty, and unity. In fact, God is constantly working to unify us in His love, by His Holy Spirit. But where God gathers and fosters a sense of belonging, the enemy seeks to disperse. Simply put, the enemy despises belonging. In Scripture, the enemy is often called diabolos throughout the New Testament, a Greek word derived from two words: dia, meaning apart, and balien, meaning to throw. To reference the devil is to quite literally acknowledge him as the one who throws us apart, one who scatters, one who divides. We can equip our girls (and ourselves!) to recognize and analyze moments where there is an overwhelming sense of division or isolation. Ultimately, cultivating Biblical belonging through AHG reminds us that we are part of God’s victorious Kingdom. As we live in the fullness of our belonging in Christ, we break the chains of fear, isolation, and division—walking boldly in the unity of His love. So, we do the Kingdom work of bringing back the girlhood of days gone by. A healthy, wholly-connected girl must be cultivated with ongoing care. Through layered community and strong relationships, AHG girls grow into Godly women of integrity—who then offer the same flourishing in their respective circles of influence. Put simply: Godly girls serve as a witness to other girls! While the landscape seems daunting, there is hope on the horizon—an attainable work already in process through American Heritage Girls’ 30 years of ministry. In all 50 states, partnering with over 1,300 communities, AHG Troops serve as the life-giving Holy Spirit-filled spaces to affirm a girl’s identity in Christ and offer a place for her to belong—fully known and fully loved in her girlhood.
American Heritage Girls is the premier Christ-centered character and leadership development organization for girls ages 5 to 18. AHG Troops offer a place for girls to flourish in the formation of their identity in Christ, cultivate lasting friendships and valuable relationships with Godly mentors, and explore opportunities for skill-building and leadership training that will benefit them their whole lives. There’s no better place than AHG to teach a girl who and Whose she is as she grows into a woman of integrity!
DAUGHTER OF THE KING BADGE
Girls who follow Christ are daughters of the King! God sees each of each girl as beautiful, worthy of love, and priceless! It is important for girls to learn this individually and together in community, offering a beautiful tapestry for both her self-image and honoring her friends in the same way.
(This badge is sold exclusively in the AHGstore, but the purchaser must be a confirmed Troop authorized purchaser. Every Troop has a designated buyer for badges and awards to protect the integrity of the earned insignia.)
IDENTITY BADGE
As a Christ-follower, a girl’s identity is not based on what she does, but on who God has created her to be. When a girl has solidly rooted her identity in Christ, she is best able to offer and receive love from relationships, both close and with acquaintances. (This badge is sold exclusively in the AHGstore, but the purchaser must be a confirmed Troop authorized purchaser. Every Troop has a designated buyer for badges and awards to protect the integrity of the earned insignia.)
SOCIAL SKILLS & ETIQUETTE BADGE
Social skills and etiquette are rooted in kindness and respect, which is a core tenet of healthy friendships. This badge teaches a girl confidence in herself and how to nurture friendship in a social setting to honor all those around her.
(This badge is sold exclusively in the AHGstore, but the purchaser must be a confirmed Troop authorized purchaser. Every Troop has a designated buyer for badges and awards to protect the integrity of the earned insignia.)
FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE PATCH
Did you know that a Father-Daughter Dance is one of AHG’s oldest traditions? This patch is the perfect keepsake for your American Heritage Girl who participated with her dad or male role model in a Troop Father-Daughter Dance event! Father-Daughter Dance events give space for relationships to thrive within a fun community setting, making these a favorite among AHG Troops.
(This patch is sold exclusively in the AHGstore and is available to any individual who participates in a Father-Daughter Dance event.)
ME & MOM PATCH
This mother-daughter-themed patch makes a great keepsake for an American Heritage Girl who spent quality-time with her mom in a Troop setting. This patch is simply a fun token of remembrance of a Troop’s Mother-Daughter activity or event. A large portion of AHG Troop life involves mothers and daughters, or mentorship from wise women. This patch seals those valuable relationships and memories for a girl’s lifelong impact.
(This patch is sold exclusively in the AHGstore and is available to any individual who participates in a Mother-Daughter event.)
AHG PEN PAL
Every Registered Girl Member has an opportunity to become an AHG Pen Pal—a way to foster friendship and fun with girls in other Troops across the nation! All Levels can participate, and each girl will receive a girl pen pal similar in age from a different state. Girls can communicate with their pen pals in a variety of fun ways to make it a great experience!
(Learn more about AHG Pen Pals on AHGresource, keyword search “Pen Pal”)
STARS & STRIPES AWARD FACTS AND FIGURES
(3rd Quarter reporting for the 2024-2025 Program Year)
2024-2025 Program Year Recipients: 104
Benefiting Organizations Served: 104
Creed Word Most Used in Writing: Perseverant
Total Service Hours: 9,731.32
Average Service Hours per Project: 278.03
What Stars & Stripes Award Recipients Like Most About AHG: Camping
#1 Thing Girls Learned: Better Leadership
Total Number of Stars & Stripes Project Advisors: 29
Benefiting Organization: Harris Elementary
Location: Wake Forrest, NC
Project: Created Sensory Pathways at Harris Elementary
Total Supervisory Hours: 10 hours
Total Hours: 193.98 hours
AN EXCERPT FROM REBECCA’S SPIRITUAL WALK ESSAY:
“I have known Jesus for as long as I can remember, and my love and belief in Him have been constant in my life. I can confidently say that this project has been a life altering experience, drawing me closer to Him in ways I never anticipated. I saw incredible things that I know could only be attributed to His divine intervention and guidance. […] I clung to Psalm 9:9, which reassures us that “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” This verse became a source of comfort and strength for me, reminding me that I was not alone in my struggles. […] Dealing with ADHD and dyslexia has created a strong desire in me to help others facing similar hurdles. My experiences have given me a unique outlook and a deep empathy for those on their own journeys. I’m especially passionate about supporting kids with different neurodivergences because I can relate to how they think.”
—REBECCA BYERS
Rebecca Byers NC4673
WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR STARS & STRIPES AWARD PROCESS,
AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?
The toughest aspect of finishing my Stars & Stripes Award project was learning to ask for help and assign tasks to others. I initially wanted to handle everything myself, but ultimately, I realized I needed to reach out for assistance to ensure everything fit perfectly. I had to delegate responsibilities to those I knew could do a better job in certain areas than I could.
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR STARS & STRIPES AWARD PROCESS?
One of the highlights of my experience with the Stars & Stripes Award process was witnessing everything come to life. It was amazing to see our plans transform from paper into a tangible project. The joy on the kids’ faces as they passed by and got excited about what we were creating was truly rewarding.
DID YOU GROW SPIRITUALLY FROM THE STARS & STRIPES AWARD EXPERIENCE?
Definitely! I feel like I’ve experienced significant spiritual growth during this journey. I truly believe that God was by my side, supporting me every step of the way. There were moments when I considered giving up, but I feel that God encouraged me to keep going.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I want to go to college and become a pediatric occupational therapist. I’ve always loved working with kids and this occupation helps kids with different disabilities to learn independence. I want to give these kids a chance to be as independent as they can. I want to give them that power.
ALUMNASPOTLIGHT
MEET ASHLEY HUFF
A WOMAN WHO LEARNED TO FORGE STRONG FRIENDSHIPS IN HER AHG YEARS AND LEAN ON TREASURED LEADERSHIP TRAINING TO FUEL HER LIFE TODAY.
A place to connect. Room to flourish and grow. A sense of belonging. These are the promises American Heritage Girls Troops consistently fulfill for girls and their families—a vision that is not just an ideal, but a beautiful reality. AHG Alumnae consistently report that no matter how many years they had in the program, the friendships they developed offered all the vital ingredients for lasting, long-term relationship. For Ashley Huff (née Cooke), her time in TX0226 brought the gift of lasting friendships and one that even continues to flourish in her adult years.
Ashley joined AHG as an Explorer girl. She was thrilled to meet a new friend Haven, who joined as a Tenderheart. When Haven advanced to the Explorer Program Level, both girls’ friendship grew by leaps and bounds. They were both homeschooled, attended the same co-op, and weekly were known to be “joined at the hip” during Troop meetings. Their friendship was everything a young girl needs—loyal, consistent, strengthened through hard times, and full of the best giggles!
Growing through Explorer to Patriot Program Levels, Ashley’s was an all-in family, with her mom consistently serving in leadership roles, thereby offering her daughter a chance to bud and grow as a young leader. In addition to the beloved AHG Badges— Ashley’s favorites were Cake Decorating, Art History, and the Fine Arts Badge—she thrived through service projects and every opportunity to teach younger Program Level Units in badgework. Over time, Ashley learned that this signaled in her some key areas of Girl Leadership that she pursued in her Pioneer and Patriot years. Through her growth as a public speaker, opportunities to implement Biblical Conflict Resolution, and weekly Troop meeting setup team management, Ashley’s clear gift for leadership surfaced in a remarkable way. She learned in practical ways that “good leadership is serving alongside your peers rather than just telling them what to do. To be respected as a servant leader, you have to get in there and do the work to build trust. My mom was a Troop Board Member through the years, so I was able to see her example. First to arrive and last to leave—that’s what it took.” Through every opportunity God offered her to grow in leadership, Ashley began to cultivate her own style of leadership. “I realized I was doing this for the Lord and not myself.
Since 1995, the Mission of American Heritage Girls has been to build women of integrity While the AHG Program targets those in girlhood, the sincerity and faith-filled spirit that is nurtured and grown through AHG continues as girls develop and mature into women.
Serving together was important to form bonds, trust, and even forge friendships because I knew I could respect my team, and my Troop Board knew they could respect and trust me.”
AHG’s central Program Emphasis is Faith, a foundational component that leaves a lasting impact on a girl’s spiritual journey. In Ashley’s Troop, a monthly Bible study was offered to Pioneer and Patriot girls ages 12-18. It was during these times the Lord offered Ashley another layer of
growth, connection, and chance to anchor into Him. “I was shy, so AHG was pivotal to build my confidence. I would never speak in groups about my thoughts, my faith, ask questions—doubts would keep me quiet. Those Bible studies were important to help me share, speak, and grow in my faith and confidence. They even helped me to be willing to pray aloud.”
The Women of Faith Badge set the perfect landscape to study women of the Bible. This proved especially pivotal for Ashely during this season of her faith formation.
Ashley decided to embark on AHG’s pinnacle award, the Stars & Stripes Award, during her Patriot years. She chose a project that benefited her Troop’s Charter Organization—one that would challenge her to grow in places she never imagined. The church’s kitchen pantry area served many needs every month but was in desperate need of organization through accurate inventory, deep cleaning, and additional storage. Ashley never thought she’d veer into the world of construction, but when the project requirements arose, she was adventurous enough to meet the need! With the help of a local contractor, she developed a plan, began fundraising, and organized a capable team of volunteers (with thanks to the additional help of her dad and the Trail Life troop members), the church kitchen pantry transformation became a reality. She remembers that, “I had no idea that random skills learned through badgework would come in so handy for this massive project.” And that healthy friendship with Haven? The girls supported one another in a whole new way through Ashley’s Stars & Stripes Award process. In fact, it was experiences and lessons learned during this season that refined them both
for adult womanhood, which was just around the corner.
After AHG, Ashley attended Dallas Baptist University studying studio art with a minor in entrepreneurship. She had discovered through the Fine Arts Badge early on that she had both a passion and talent for visual art. Today, Ashley works as a professional painter completing custom commissioned pieces, traveling to art shows, and placing her work in various shops within her new home city in Oklahoma City. Ashley was married in the fall of 2024 and moved to her husband’s home area, which provided a fresh opportunity for the Lord to remind Ashley of the gift of trusted friendships began in AHG. Haven served as a bridesmaid in Ashley’s fall wedding, and since moving they have remained closely connected through weekly FaceTime video chats, ongoing text conversations, and cherished in-person visits when possible. As an AHG Alumna, Ashley encourages girls “Even if it is a season, the Lord will use it. But go the long haul and stick with it, if you can. In my high school years, it was hard to stay because of other responsibilities and activities. But I learned things in AHG that no other place could offer me.” She now beams with gratitude that she stayed in AHG through graduation.
Through Ashley’s story, her journey alongside Haven learning what true friendship looks like, and growing as the leader she is today, Ashley Huff is confident in who and Whose she is because of the 10 years she had in AHG. What began as a girl now tracks through her adult years—a continued source of connection, friendship, sense of belonging, and abundant joy.
FASTFACTS:
Hometown: Richardson, TX
High School Alma Mater: Homeschool
Siblings: 1 older brother
Favorite Book: The Companion by Katie Alender
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Travel Destination: Greece
ARE YOU AN AHG ALUMNA? Visit americanheritagegirls.org/alumnae to update your contact information and share what you’ve been up to!
Favorite Bible Verse(s): Philippians 4:6-7, NIV—“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Favorite Social Media Platform: Instagram
Favorite Food: Potatoes
Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream: Mint
Chocolate Chip
Favorite Sport: Ice Skating
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite AHG Badge: Fine Arts Badge, Art History Badge
NEWTROOPS
AK0516 Mountain City Church / Anchorage
AL0254
Briarwood Presbyterian Church / Birmingham
AR1932 Kind At Heart Ministries / Siloam Springs
AZ0516 The Church at Estrella / Goodyear
AZ4817
CA0145
CA2222
Calvary Christian Academy / Lake Havasu City
Calvary Chapel Julian / Julian
Calvary LIFE / Gardena
CA2237 The Ark Montebello / Montebello
CA9592 Rock of Life Fellowship / Chico
CO1025 Mesa Trails Cowboy Church / Mancos
CT1412
Fairfield Baptist Church / Fairfield
FL0326 Saint Jude Catholic Church / Boca Raton
FL0365 HighPoint Church / Lake Whales
FL1655
FL1811
EPIC Community Resource Center / Englewood
North Naples Baptist Church / Naples
OK3016 Faith Community Church Poteau / Poteau
FL6203 LifePointe Church / Eustis
GA0109 Agape Church / St. Marys
GA4130 Covenant Presbyterian Church / Fayetteville
GA4130 St. Peter Catholic Church-LaGrange / LaGrange
IA2031 Grace Fellowship Church / Lake City
IA2911 First Church of Christ / Ankeny
ID1427 Northern Lakes Bible / Rathdrum
IL1023 Immanuel Lutheran / Elmhurst
IL1819 Village Cumberland Presbyterian Church / Norris City
IN2206 St. James Lutheran Church / Greenfield
KY0489 Corinth Baptist Church-London / London
KY1691 Christ Church of Winchester / Winchester
KY2025 First Baptist Church Cannonsburg / Ashland
KY4605 Nortonville Baptist Church / Nortonville
LA2510 Jesus the Good Shephard Catholic Church–Monroe / Monroe
MD0920
Children of the Kingdom Global Ministries (Academy) / Fort Washington
MD1039 GC3 Frederick Church / Frederick
MD2206 Jenkins Memorial / Pasadena
MD3170 NewLife Calvert / Prince Frederick
MI1600 Grace Bible Church / St. Clair
MI1890 St. Joseph Catholic Church–Ypsilanti / Ypsilanti
MI3275 Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph / St. Joseph
MN0624 St. John the Baptist Parish School—New Brighton / New Brighton
MN1318
Salem Covenant Church / Duluth
MN4110 Blessed Sacrament Church–Hibbing / Hibbing
MS0226 Grace Temple Church / Hattiesburg
MS0725 Thaxton Baptist Church / Thaxton
MS1218 Macedonia Baptist Church / Petal
MS2024 Mars Hill Baptist Church / Petal
MT0235 First Baptist Church Cascade / Cascade
NC0268 East Elkin Baptist Church / Elkin
NC0410 Crossroads Community Church / Hudson
NC0465 Denver Christian Academy / Denver
NC1411 New Hope Baptist-Earl NC / Earl
NC1832 Lake Hills Church / Candler
NC7777 Garner Free Will Baptist Church / Garner
NE0305 Auburn Christian Church / Auburn
NY4031 Almond Community Church / Almond
OH1377 St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church / Valley City
OH2209 Belden Methodist Church / Grafton
OH4110 Friendship Alliance Church / Chagrin Falls
OH4663 Our Lady of Hope Family Parishes–Lebanon / Lebanon
OK4077 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Midwest City / Midwest City
OR0323 Grace Community Baptist Astoria / Astoria
OR3126 Zion Lutheran Church / Klamath Falls
OR4629 Church on Main Street / Prineville
PA2819 Salem EC Church / Lenhartsville
PA3130 Lycoming Christian Church / Linden
SC1876 Poplar Springs Baptist Church / Walhalla
SC2911 Sumter Bible Church / Sumter
SC3130 Myrtle Beach Bible Chapel / Myrtle Beach
TN1210 Smyrna Church of Christ / Smyrna
TN1410 First Baptist Church McMinnville / McMinnville
TX0122 Alive Fellowship / El Paso
TX1031 Freedom Life Church / Bowie
TX2025 Kingsland Baptist Church / Katy
TX2810 Providence Baptist Church San Angelo / San Angelo
TX3745 Bethesda Church / Lindale
TX4250 Midlothian Bible Church / Midlothian
TX5191 Grace Church Ovilla / Ovilla
TX8116 Calvary Fellowship Bell County / Harker Heights
VA0836 Freedom Fellowship / Virginia Beach
VA1313 St. Nicholas Catholic Church—Virginia Beach / Virginia Beach
VA2508 Passion Community Church / Aylett
WA0610 Calvary Chapel Port Angeles / Port Angeles
WA1112 Anacortes Christian Church / Anacortes
WA1230 Temple Baptist Church / Richland
WA2323 Okanogan Valley Alliance Church / Okanogan
WA3456 Gold Creek Church - Lake Stevens / Lake Stevens
WI0235
Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church / Adell
WI1207 Grace Evangelical Free Church / Walworth
WI5223 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church / Sturgeon Bay
WY2618
WY3777
Community By Grace GCI / Wheatland
Paradise Valley Christian School / Casper
HIGHIMPACT INSIGHT
Heather Russell has been a volunteer with AHG since 2013, founding and serving as Troop Coordinator for both Troop TX2756 and TX0431. She currently serves Troop TX0431 as the Charter Representative and Unit Leader for the Pioneer/ Patriot Unit. Heather is new to the Ministry Expansion Lead role, serving on the Fort Worth Area Team since 2024.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY POTENTIAL
VOLUNTEERS WHOSE UNIQUE SKILLS AND PASSIONS ALIGN WITH THE NEEDS OF AHG?
I spend a lot of time listening and observing interactions between adults. From there, it’s often a matter of “the personal ask”. I try to start with something small, then consider their response to the request (both how they respond, and how they carry out the task). Next thing you know, that volunteer is serving as Troop Coordinator or High Impact Volunteer!
HOW DO YOU MODEL AND CULTIVATE A SPIRIT OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY WITHIN YOUR AREA TEAM AND TROOPS, AND HOW DOES THIS INFLUENCE THE GIRLS YOU SERVE?
I try to cultivate a sense of community within the Troop by getting to know the other adults individually. I also ask for their engagement within the Troop, their opinions, ideas, and suggestions—not just from other leaders. I ask lots of clarifying questions. I treat the Pioneers and Patriots in my Unit in a similar fashion. Teens come up with some BIG ideas! I love their enthusiasm! Instead of telling them “no”, I ask lots of questions that get to the heart of what they are trying to achieve and then let them come to a more reasonable plan on their own.
WHAT STEPS CAN A VOLUNTEER TAKE TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES FEEL WELCOMED, VALUED, AND CONNECTED TO THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION? CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF A TIME WHEN YOU SAW THIS SENSE OF BELONGING TRANSFORM A FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE?
Ask lots of questions! Volunteers make families, including girls, feel welcome when they take time to genuinely get to know them. Be genuinely curious about others. Communicate what your Troop or Unit is doing frequently. Don’t assume your girls will remember what badge they are working on, or what their service project was. Involve the families and share anecdotes of what their girls say/do during activities.
People want to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. When you have active and excited volunteer and parent involvement, the girls catch that enthusiasm and thrive. I’ve watched lifelong relationships be forged. I’ve watched some of these girls in AHG grow from little Explorers to aging out of AHG, returning as leaders. I have watched girls (including my own)—and adults (including myself)—go through some stormy seas, and have watched AHG leaders, volunteers, mentors,
and other girls contribute to keeping that girl anchored and grounded. I have heard from countless other volunteers within AHG who have “found their tribe” here, and in doing so, have been able to raise their daughters in an environment that reminds them who they are, and Whose they are.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN A SENSE OF BELONGING WITHIN AHG HELP A VOLUNTEER OR GIRL GROW IN THEIR CONFIDENCE, FAITH, OR SKILLS?
Today’s girls face innumerable societal pressures. Girl involvement in the AHG Program keeps them anchored and focused. I have seen girls take the lead within their communities and congregations due to vision casting and project planning skills they learned through girl leadership training, level award achievements, and Stars & Stripes Award. AHG’s progressive programming does wonders to build a girl’s confidence, skills, and most importantly their faith, when volunteers and parents work to give girls increasing, and age-appropriate responsibility, encourage girls to try new things, tell the girls they can
Anecdotally, my own daughter works at a grocery store bakery as a cake decorator, thanks to the AHG Cake Decorating Badge! She is the president of her college’s Biology Club—a position she confidently took on, thanks to having held leadership positions within AHG.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS HESITANT TO VOLUNTEER BECAUSE THEY DON’T THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS OR ENOUGH TIME?
I’m told this all the time. My response is always “God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called,” followed by “Pray, pray, and then pray some more. Do not commit to something just because there is a hole that needs to be filled.” Most of us don’t think we have the right skills! And I don’t think any of us really have enough time. But God equips daily, because He calls us here, daily. When we walk in our calling, God provides the time and the ability.
AHGUPDATES
HAPPENINGS AT THE AHG NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
NEW HIRES
The AHG, Inc. Staff is growing! New Staff members come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but all are called to share their talents with the AHG Ministry. It is AHG’s distinct honor to welcome the newest members of the AHG, Inc. Staff:
2024 GIVING—OFFERING GRATITUDE TO GENEROUS DONORS
The Ministry of AHG is made possible by generous donations and AHG, Inc. is deeply grateful for the contributions that came in during 2024. To round out the year, AHG saw $616,377 come in through monetary support.
Scan the QR Code to view the 2023-2024 Annual Report:
Erin McClure Troop Development Coach
Emma Childs Curriculum Development Specialist
Rebekah Keasling Chief Operations Officer
Casey Hrycyk Stars & Stripes Award Specialist
Alisha Watterson Human Resources Generalist
Chelsea Carpenter Commerce Support Specialist
AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS
CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF MINISTRY IN 2025
With the arrival of 2025, American Heritage Girls proudly enters its 30th anniversary year, marking three decades of empowering girls to grow in faith, service, and leadership. Since its founding in 1995, AHG has expanded to include more than 69,000 Members across all 50 U.S. states and has established an international presence in six countries through the AHG Trailblazer Program. To honor the Lord’s abundant blessings over these past 30 years, the AHG community will come together in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 15-16 for the AHG National 30th Anniversary Convention. Stay tuned for further details in upcoming issues of Heritage Headlines!
STAFFSCOOP
Kari Holloway Regional Manager
How long have you been working at AHG, Inc.?
Three years
What do you do in your position?
I am part of the Area Teams Department and serve as a Regional Manager. It is my great joy to work with Area Team Volunteers! Area Teams are a group of local volunteers who step deeper into ministry with AHG to provide local support to Troops. As a Regional Manager, I am tasked with building Area Teams in my region as well as supporting and equipping existing team members. Volunteers are vital to ministry, and I am grateful for each volunteer I interact with!
What’s your favorite part of working at AHG?
So many things! I am most
grateful for our daily pause to pray as a staff. This pause allows the staff to remain focused on Christ, praising Him for who He is and then asking Him to guide every task and decision as well as to lift our Troops, volunteers, and girls to Him. I am beyond humbled to serve on this staff that seeks God in all things.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 1:16, ESV, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
What is your favorite part about visiting or being involved in a Troop?
I truly love seeing the faces of the girls and the volunteers alike knowing that God is using something as simple as a badge to bring the truth of Jesus so that they may go and tell others. We may never know the impact their time in AHG will have, but seeds are being planted for eternity.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am so grateful for the Ministry of AHG because the focus remains on Christ. I am beyond grateful to work with staff and volunteers who seek to bring the truth of Jesus to girls for such a time as this!
