Girl Scouts and MetLife Foundation Extend Girl Scout Leadership Experience to Low-Income, Immigrant Hispanic Communities

NEW YORK, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Growing up in today's world can be extremely challenging for many girls, including young Latinas. In support of Hispanic communities, Girl Scouts of the USA announces a three-year, $900,000 contribution from MetLife Foundation to establish the MetLife Foundation Hispanic Leadership Fund. The three-year initiative is designed to help 30 local Councils provide low-income middle-school Hispanic girls with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  The program provides leadership opportunities and encourages girls to discover, connect, and take action in their communities and the world.

"The Girl Scouts have been at the forefront of providing girls with experiences and interactions with caring adults to help them become leaders in their communities," said Dennis White, President and CEO, MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to partner with Girl Scouts to help them reach a growing segment of our population, young Latinas, and encourage them to achieve their full potential."

Girl Scout Leadership Journeys, a central component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, engage girls in exploring relevant topics through fun and challenging activities. Girl Scout councils across the country will offer Hispanic girls in middle school Journey-facilitated programs that focus on everything from anti-bullying and self-esteem to environmental awareness and cultural cooking. Girl Scout Journeys and other materials will be available in English and Spanish to help girls make vital contributions to their communities.  The initiative  will also focus on engaging girls' mothers and other adults in the Leadership Experience.

"This is our centennial year and as we begin a new century of service, we're more committed than ever to supporting and mentoring the next generation of leaders," says Anna Maria Chavez, GSUSA Chief Executive Officer. "The MetLife Foundation's generous contribution will help us reach more Latina girls, a growing sector of our membership, and provide them with the leadership skills to make a difference in their communities."

MetLife Foundation's partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA spans more than 30 years and has included support of intergenerational, college readiness and mentoring programs.  MetLife Foundation is an official sponsor of the Girl Scout centennial celebration – Year of the Girl.

Learn more about MetLife Foundation's giving at: http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/citizenship/metlife-foundation/index.html.

About Girl Scouts of the USA
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with nearly 3 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife's longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide. Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $530 million in grants to nonprofit organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. For more information visit www.metlife.org.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA