Helping Girls Inc. Inspire and Educate Young Women

After joining Girls Inc., Jan Figueira, CEO, figured out quickly that she needed to do something about the state of technology in their offices. Staff members were without the technology they needed to complete their daily work. Some came in early or on their days off to do their paperwork; others were using computers in the computer lab for their daily work, computers they would surrender when girls came in the afternoon to do
their homework.

With local roots dating back to 1864 and with a lineage that includes Big Sisters, Girls Inc. is a well established and important presence in our community. Many of the girls and families that Girls Inc. provides services to do not have access to a phone at home, let alone a computer.

Through a grant from Reed Elsevier, London England, co-written with Girls Inc. and made possible by Dave Ballai, NPower Board Member and Reed Technology CIO, NPower helped find the funding needed for a new computer lab. Microsoft donated the software needed for these computers and the lab was loaded with 12 new machines running Microsoft XP and Microsoft Office 2007 Products. NPower's technology trainers were brought in to familiarize teachers, and staff, with the new features of Microsoft's Office 2007 Suite.

A Technology Assistance Grant from SAP and Deloitte allowed Girls Inc. to purchase a new server and have Microsoft Small Business Server software installed. Another grant allowed them to purchase new computers for their staff .

Now everyone who works at Girls Inc. has the technology that they need to conduct their daily business of inspiring these girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

"NPower makes me feel special and they make my girls feel special. When girls see
new equipment they know someone cares about them. They know that there are people out there who want them to succeed."

Jan Figueira
Chief Executive Officer
Girls Inc. of Greater
Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey