GIRLS INC. OF DURHAM
REPORT 2024 - 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
“When a girl discovers her voice, her confidence, and her power, the world changes — for her, and for all of us.”
At Girls Inc. of Durham, we do more than offer programs — we create transformative journeys that touch hearts, open minds, and ignite the unbreakable spirit within every girl. Each day, we watch girls step through our doors and begin to believe: I matter. I am strong. I belong.
This past year, we reached over 1605 girls in Durham, providing more than 8,000 mentorship hours and expanding our programming, in 8 new communities. As one participant shared, “Now I believe I can lead and make a difference.”
For 41 years, our mission has been to empower all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. This dream comes alive when our girls encourage each other to take risks, rise after setbacks, and pursue ambitions that once felt out of reach.
But none of this happens in isolation. It takes passionate staff, committed volunteers, and a community that refuses to let any girl fall through the cracks. Our mentors light a path forward with unwavering compassion. Our partners and families reinforce every lesson, helping girls see their worth reflected in the faces of those who believe in them. As someone who is both a volunteer and a champion donor, I have been deeply honoured to stand alongside you in this vital work. “The success of our girls is proof — when someone believes in you, when a community champions you, anything is possible.”
We know our impact is lasting. It’s measured in courage, resilience, and the bonds of trust built in every safe, accepting space we create. And it’s fueled by your generosity. We are deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, partners, and advocates whose generous support makes this work possible. Thank you for standing with Girls Inc. of Durham and believing in every girl’s potential.
This is your call to action. If your heart is stirred by the dream of a fairer, brighter, more hopeful world — now is the time to act. Give generously. Every donation unlocks new possibilities and places life-changing programs within reach of more girls.
Be a champion. Tell friends, family, and colleagues about Girls Inc. — spread the word and inspire others.
Volunteer your time. Whether you have an afternoon or a season, your encouragement and skills make all the difference. Together, we are the spark. Together, we can ensure that every girl in Durham discovers her potential, claims her voice, and changes her world and ours for the better.
Let’s dream big, act boldly, and give back with open hands and hearts. Our girls are counting on us, and with your help, we will never let them down. With gratitude and hope,
IMOGEN FANNON
Board Chair, Girls Inc. of Durham
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
It has been a privilege to see the changes in our girls over the last 41 years. The impact of our programs is enduring, as evidence as we see many Girls Inc. girls thrive, become staff, mentors and role models in their communities. We recognize and celebrate each girls’ unique strengths while continuing to tear down barriers that impede their success, creating a new world stage for our girls to thrive. With gratitude, I thank all of our generous donors, sponsors, partners, and dedicated volunteers and friends for their unwavering commitment and support.
We could not do our work without the dedication and support from our amazing staff, board, and volunteers whose dedication, expertise and passion are at the core of all we do.
Yvette Nechvatal-Drew, CEO / Executive Director
OUR VISION
Empowered girls living in an equitable society.
OUR MISSION
Girls Inc. of Durham is a registered charity that empowers girls to believe in themselves and reach their full potential.
We inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold through advocacy, education and programs.
WE FOCUS ON THE WHOLE GIRL
Girls Inc. empowers girls 6 to 18 to be self-confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals by delivering research-informed, age appropriate In School, After Scholl, March Break and Summer Education Programs.
THE GIRLS INC. EXPERIENCE
We provide a comprehensive approach to whole girl development through three core components proven to help girls realize and reach their full potential:
PEOPLE- Trained staff and volunteers who build lasting, mentoring relations;
ENVIRONMENT- Pro-girl, inclusive and equitable, brave space with shared respect; and
PROGRAMMING - Intentional, interactive, relevant, and culturally responsive. Empowered girls living in an equitable society.
Our attention to the needs of today’s girls propels Girls Inc. to continually evolve our programming experiences, working with external partners and experts in the field to provide education and resources that helps girls build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be leaders and effect change in the world.
IMOGEN FANNON- CHAIR
ANU ADUVALA-TUCKER- VICE CHAIR
TOLA LADIPO - SECRETARY
LAURA REID -TREASURER
ANESSA GARCIA -MEMBER
JENNIFER DEWELL- MEMBER
GLENA JAMES -MEMBER
MARIA GREAVES-CACEVSKI- MEMBER
ISHA TAMBY -MEMBER
KIMBERLY DANIELS-OMOTO - MEMBER
CHERYL PEREIRA - MEMBER
ERIC FRY- MEMBER
LEADERSHIP STAFFING
YVETTE NECHVATAL-DREW, CEO/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TRACEY MCCANNELL, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
DARREN LEVINE, FUND DEVELOPMENT (SUBCONTRACT)
STEPHANIE BOURQUE, COMMUNICATIONS/EVENTS COORDINATOR
VANESSA DE RYCK AND HEATHER BUCKNER, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
CLARISSA BENEDICTO, PAYTON GAULL AND SIERRA ALBIS, PROGRAM FACILITATORS
MADDIE MCGEOUGH, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
SHANNON COMIRE, PRE & POST NATAL NUTRITION PROGRAM SUPPORT
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
IT TAKES A VILLAGE....
BEST START
CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
CITY OF PICKERING
CITY OF OSHAWA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF DURHAM
COMMUNITY LIVING DURHAM
DURHAM MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
DURHAM CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY
DURHAM COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
DURHAM COLLEGE
DURHAM DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
DURHAM NOT FOR PROFIT HOUSING CORPORATION
DURHAM REGION POLICE SERVICES
DURHAM REGION PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
DURHAM YOUTH HOUSING SERVICES
FAMILY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM CAPC/YMCA
FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER ONTARIO
NETWORK OF EXPERTISE
GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
HUMBER COLLEGE
KIDS UP FRONT
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
ONTARIO TECH UNIVERSITY
ROSE OF DURHAM
SENECA COLLEGE
SUNRISE YOUTH
TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
TOWN OF AJAX
TOWN OF UXBRIDGE
TOWN OF WHITBY
TRENT UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
WOMEN’S MULTICULTURAL RESOURCE & COUNSELLING CENTRE
YORK UNIVERSITY
YOUTH SERVICES NETWORK
GIRLS INC. OF DURHAM SERVICE AREAS
Girls Inc. of Durham delivers programs and services to girls, women, and their families throughout Durham Region.
Focusing our services to target priority neighbourhoods identified in partnership with the Durham Region Health Department in Ajax, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Cannington, Pickering, Port Perry, Oshawa, Uxbridge and Whitby.
OFFERING: IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MARCH BREAK CAMPS
SUMMER CAMPS
FOOD ‘4’ THOUGHT
PRE & POST NATAL PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PROGRAMS
OVER 8,000 HOURS OF IN SCHOOL PROGRAMMING DELIVERED
GirlSPACE
GirlSPACE focuses on developing skills, abilities, and self-esteem for girls aged 6-12.
After School Programming
GirlZONE
GirlZONE is a leadership and community action program for girls aged 13-18. Our GirlZONE participants are also encouraged to act as peer mentors to the younger girls in GirlSPACE.
Mind+Body
Mind+Body is a program for girls aged 11-18 that focuses on four pillars of health; stress management, nutrition, body image and physical activity.
Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold
Girls Inc. Programming Impact
Through Girls Inc. programming, girls discover their strengths, develop the confidence to lead, and gain the resilience to overcome challenges. Each program is a step toward empowering girls to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. By engaging in hands-on learning, minds-on activities and supportive peer connections, girls are encouraged to explore new interests, think critically, and believe in their own abilities. They learn to advocate for themselves, make healthy choices, and envision possibilities that may have once felt out of reach. The impact extends beyond the individual; when girls thrive, they inspire their families, strengthen their schools, and contribute to stronger, more equitable communities.
CAMPS
In 2024, Girls Inc. Summer Camp and March Break Camp continued to provide high-quality programming tailored to the needs of girls and youth in our community. Our camps offered a unique “minds-on/hands-on” approach, engaging girls ages 6 to 12 in a wide variety of activities, while our Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) Program supported girls ages 13 to 16 in developing leadership and mentoring skills.
Participants explored a balance of fun and educational opportunities through interactive games. Each activity was intentionally designed around key components of Girls Inc. programs, ensuring that girls not only had an enjoyable camp experience but also built confidence, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Community partnerships played an important role in making these camps possible. The Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation provided in-kind use of their community room spaces, while the Durham District School Board provided in-kind access to additional facilities. Serving 1234 girls at Summer Camp 2024
43,190 programming hours
SUPPORTING YOUNG MOMS
FOOD “4”THOUGHT
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, known locally as Food ‘4’ Thought, is a community-based initiative administered by Girls Inc. of Durham, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and supported by Durham Region’s Social Investment Fund.
Pregnancy and early parenting can be particularly challenging for young mothers under 26 who face challenges, including financial insecurity, limited support networks, or other vulnerabilities. Food ‘4’ Thought provides a safe and supportive space where these at-risk mothers can access guidance on pregnancy and parenting while receiving essential education on nutrition, breastfeeding, pregnancy and infant care. The program offers both in-person and outreach support, delivering food vouchers or weekly packages of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, pantry staples, and prenatal vitamins to help mothers and their babies stay healthy and supported. Following a population health approach, the program works to reduce inequities for those most affected, including families experiencing food insecurity, vulnerable young children, high-risk expectant mothers, individuals facing mental health challenges, and racialized communities. Serving the following communities: Ajax, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Cannington, Pickering, Port Perry, Oshawa, Uxbridge, and Whitby.
Over 53,000 touchpoints, connections and deliveries
82-91 families served each week
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Provided over 7200 hours of kind service. It is because of their support we are able to enhance our programs. We deeply appreciate their dedication and support.
THANK YOU:
Amazon (Ajax)
Bingo Volunteers
Board Volunteers
Youth Volunteers Interns
Community Outreach Volunteers (Purplewood Pancake Fundraiser Volunteers, Yard Sale Volunteers)
Food ‘4’ Thought Drivers/ Grocery Delivery Volunteers
Board Development Committee Volunteers
Finance Committee Volunteers
Events Committee Volunteers
OUR INVESTORS: CHAMPIONS FOR GIRLS
MAKING IT POSSIBLE $100,000
Human Resources & Skills Development of Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT $50,000 - $99,999
Delta Bingo
Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE)
Ontario Trillium Foundation
Rideau Hall Foundation (Catapult)
ADVOCATE $10,000 - $49,999
Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation
Canada Post Community Foundation
Canadian Red Cross Community Service Recovery Fund
Durham Community Foundation (Community Safety and Well Being Fund)
Enterprise ERAC Foundation
Girls Incorporated
Hydro One
The Pickering Mayors Gala Grant
R. Howard Webster Foundation
Rogers Grant
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Telus Friendly Future Foundation
Town of Ajax- Ajax Partnership Fund
United Way of Durham
CREATING DREAMS $5,000 - $9,999
Benevity Community Impact Foundation
Ontario Power Generation OPG Grant
Discovery Dental
Jackman Foundation
OUR INVESTORS: CHAMPIONS FOR GIRLS
CHAMPIONS FOR GIRLS $1,000- $4,999
1799879 Ontario Inc. Durham High Voltage
Abarquez Group
Aecon
Anessa Garcia
Anu Aduvala-Tucker
Cascades
Cheryl Pereira
Chris Fortin
CHUCK-IT Removal
CHUM Charitable Foundation
Clareleen Ivany
Donna Rowley
Durham College
Elexicon Energy Inc.
Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
Glena James
Imogen Fannon
Jennifer Dempsey
Jennifer Dewell
Jill Button
Jo Beaudet
Kent Wilson
Laura Reid
Lisa Bower
CHAMPIONS FOR GIRLS $1,000- $4,999
Maria Greaves-Cacevki
Marilyn Crawford
Meridian Credit Union
Miles Goacher Wealth Management
Nancy Van Rooy
P.I Tool Ltd
ProcurePro Consulting
Rico De Vega
Ross McCannell (c/o Ruth McCannell)
Sangeeta Bhatnagar
St. Joseph Communications Foundation
Tola Ladipo
Yvette Nechvatal-Drew
539,645
Increase over $50,000 in program subsidies 25% increase in Revenues over previous fiscal year
344,878
Community Grants and Foundations
EXPENSES $ 1,169,315
856,022
84% increase in Bingo Revenue
80% increase in Community Grants
17% increase in Donations
9.5% increase in Government Grants
Expenses offset by over $50,000 in-kind donations
Resulting in $220,000 surplus to:
Re-invested in staffing salaries 9 month emergency reserver fund increase program subsidies revenue
COMMUNICATIONS
At Girls Inc of Durham we continue to invest in our communication with the public to ensure it is transparent, clear and reliable. We relaunched a new website, integrated a new AI Chat feature enabling parents, supporters and the general community to ask questions in any language, to find out information on our programming and services. As we continue to explore new innovative, cost effective ways to grow and serve our community.
B I L L O F R I G H T S
6 Reasons why we are one of the leading girls organizations in Durham Region.
The Girls Inc. Bill of Rights is the foundation of our mission. Through intentional teaching, mentorship, and meaningful challenges, we equip girls with the leadership, and lifelong skills they need to thrive.
