by Babs Cape – “I should have been an engineer, but I didn’t know what one was!” Tamara Hudgins tells visiting members of Seeds of Strength. But Tamara is not an engineer; rather, she is the passionate and talented Executive Director of Girlstart, an organization dedicated to making sure her experience doesn’t happen to girls in the 21st century and beyond. Girlstart’s mission is to enlighten, engage and inspire girls to know about science and math and the world of possibilities these subjects open to them. Girlstart’s core programs foster STEM skills development, an understanding of the importance of STEM to solve the world’s major problems, as well as an interest i...

by Linda Austin – Seeds of Strength members came together at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 2, to vote on the new grantees for 2019-20. Our first sight after walking in was a festive Cinco de Mayo themed table laden with sumptuous food and a bounty of flowers. The Events Committee dazzled us, again! The meeting began with Chair Lexi Elliott welcoming us to a night of celebrations – the 10th Anniversary Voting Night and the night we would be granting a record $182,000 to deserving nonprofits. Membership Chair Karron Wilson wowed us with the new SoS membership count: 274 women! Joanne Hoover, Grants Chair, explained the diligence and careful work of her com...

by Barbara Garland – As I walked into the Boys & Girls Club (located in the old Carver Elementary School) I was immediately struck by the bustling activity. Ushered into the library, which was cheerfully decorated with Easter and Spring decorations, our group from Seeds of Strength was warmly welcomed by Diane Rasmussen, Volunteer Coordinator. Kelly St. Julien, Branch Manager, and Tommy Rice, Unit Director, spent time explaining the program and how the Seeds of Strength grant is being used. The $20,000 grant from Seeds of Strength has made it possible for approximately 45 children and youth to be mentored in one-on-one weekly sessions. These children are those who need extra a...

by Barbara Garland – Imagine being a teenager who is pregnant, homeless, with no support system – kicked out of your home or choosing not to stay in an abusive situation. What would you do? Where would you turn for help? The Annunciation Maternity Home in Georgetown is a welcoming and caring place for desperate young mothers-to-be who want to build a life for themselves and their children. The home is designed to take in homeless pregnant teens as they try to become self-sufficient mothers. Annunciation Home provides a program for teens from 12-17 years of age. Sixteen girls are currently housed at Annunciation Home. These teens can stay through their pregnancies and up to two ye...