The New Girls Inc. Simpson Center for Girls

Transforming Lives---One Girl, One Family, One Community At A Time

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Girls Incorporated (Girls Inc.) of Alameda County, one of the Bay Area's leading nonprofits, has unveiled new headquarters. The new Girls Inc. Simpson Center for Girls located at 510 -16^th Street in downtown Oakland will open its doors to the public for a Grand Opening Press Conference on Tuesday, September 10^th to over 100 community leaders and media representatives. After nearly three years and despite the recession, Girls Inc. with the help of Capital Campaign Chairs- Lois DeDomenico & Glenn Voyles, exceeded their $10.85 million fundraising goal, generating $11.4 million; 105% of the overall goal while also remaining on schedule for opening.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/DC76593)

"This is a pivotal time for Oakland and Girls Inc. of Alameda County," remarked Girls Inc. CEO, Linda Boessenecker. "In addition to continuing service to girls and families at school and community-based sites throughout the region, we have expanded to include east Oakland's Concordia Park, San Leandro's13666 East 14th Street center, and now downtown Oakland's "youth" zone to our onsite locations. True to our 55 year history of serving Alameda County, our new headquarters will transforms lives---one girl, one family, one community at a time. This is the SF Bay Area region's first and only resource center for girls. We are very excited!"

The Simpson Center for Girls will provide a home for Girls Inc.'s award-winning continuum of academic achievement, health and wellness programming and mental health services, as well as the region's first and only resource center for girls. The downtown Oakland location will provide greater accessibility - including by way of public transportation - for girls, youth, families and partner organizations to Girls Inc. resources and expertise in girls and mental health. The new center will provide a strong foundation for Girls Inc.'s aggressive goal to expand services and increase the annual number of girls and families served by 25% by 2015.

Berkeley-based Anne Phillips Architecture (APA) was chosen from a competitive list of Bay Area acclaimed architects due to the firm's ability to expertly interpret and achieve the design vision of Girls Inc. "Anne's design seamlessly integrates her unique architectural expression with spaces that support and enhance the girl experience," exuded Boessenecker. Girls from the Girls Inc. Eureka! teen achievement and leadership program, met with APA regularly to receive project updates, provide design input and inform key decisions. Importantly, the girls informed the process of building a sustainable facility with green materials, efficient fixtures, and LEED certified standards. 

The new Girls Inc. Simpson Center will irrefutably expand the impact of Girls Inc. proven programs; more six-year old girls will read at grade level, more middle school girls will excel in math and science, and more high school girls will go to college, forever impacting their future and building stronger, smarter and bolder communities. 

Girls Incorporated of Alameda County is one of 83 affiliates of the national Girls Inc., the country's leading voice for girls. Since 1958, Girls Inc. has responded to the unique needs of girls in underserved communities of San Francisco's East Bay through a continuum of academic achievement programs and counseling services. Programs challenge girls to explore their potential, develop life skills, ensure college and career success, and expand their sense of what is possible. With an innovative educational approach incorporating local needs into research-based curricula, Girls Inc. has established itself as one of the Bay Area's leading providers of supplemental education, reaching nearly 7,000 girls, family members and clients annually. Learn more: www.girlsinc-alameda.org.

Simpson Center for Girls Designers: Anne Phillips Architects with Siegel and Strain Architects serving as the historic architect. Project Management: Equity Community Builders, LLC and NMTC/HTC consulting services.

Simpson Center for Girls Project Partners: Anne Phillips Architecture, Cassidy Turley BT Commercial, Engineering Design Collaborative Incorporated, Equity Community Builders, Everest Waterproofing & Restoration, Ingraham DeJesse Associates, Illuminosa Lighting, Consulting Structural Engineers, Northern California Community Loan Fund, Oliver & Company, Van Brunt Associates, Inc.

Simpson Center for Girls Major Contributors: Many individuals, foundations and corporations have contributed to the Build It! Capital Campaign for Girls, including:

SOURCE Girls Incorporated of Alameda County