Our Herstory
In April 1964, a group of Alameda residents founded a program for girls and incorporated it as Alameda Girls' Club, Inc. In October, the first program began and used space at First Congregational Church. Fifty-eight girls enrolled that year. In 1965, Alameda Girls' Club affiliated with Girls' Clubs of America. In 1970, the organization moved to 1419 Union Street and moved again in 1983 to its present location. In 1990, Girls’ Clubs of America became Girls Inc. so it would not be confused with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In 1996, Alameda Girls' Club became Girls Incorporated of the Island City.
In 1981, the Activity Center opened as a licensed school-site for families in Alameda. At the present time, programming for girls is offered at 1724 Santa Clara Avenue and a licensed childcare service, Alameda Island Kids, is offered for boys and girls at Bay Farm, Earhart, Edison, Franklin, Lum, and Otis schools.
Over the years, there have been many milestones to celebrate. Here are some of the highlights:
- 1964 Incorporated, hired first Executive Director and began girls' programming
- 1965 Became affiliated with the national organization-Girls' Clubs of America
- 1970 Purchased and moved into first home at 1419 Union Street
- 1981 Joyce Denyven became 5th Executive Director
- 1981 Opened 1st school-site Activity Center (now Alameda Island Kids)
- 1983 Purchased and moved to new home at 1724 Santa Clara Avenue
- 1989 Celebrated 25th year of services to girls in Alameda
- 1990 Girls Clubs of America became Girls Inc.
- 1993 Romy Amos became Executive Director
- 1996 Changed organizational name to Girls Incorporated of the Island City
- 1999 Celebration of Excellence Luncheon (now Women Who Dare) established as signature event
- 2002 Executive Director elected to Girls Inc. National Board of Directors
- 2003 1st "Girls Take Charge" Teen Summit Conference
- 2003 Launched our first website
- 2004 Teen Program established
- 2004 Women of the 21st Century Club established
- 2004-2005, our 40th Anniversary
- 2005 Karen Kenney became executive Director
- 2006 Activity Center Program renamed Alameda Island Kids
- 2006 Three of our teens won national scholarships through the national Girls Inc. organization
We have also won a number of national competitions and distinctions, including the National Scholarships for our teens, National Poetry Contests; Sewing Contests; a National Program Award for our Best Foot Forward program; and the Annie E. Casey Strengthening Families Award for our locally developed The Magic Within and Homegrown programs.
To find out more about the history of Girls Inc. nationally, visit the National Girls Inc. History page. Girls Incorporated of the Island City has a proud history of serving girls and looks forward to 40 more years of success!