FISA Foundation

Current Initiatives

Initiatives

Increasing Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities

Access to Dental Care for People with Disabiliities

Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Regional Initiative to End Domestic and Sexual Violence

Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania

What is the Girls Coalition?

The Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a network of providers, funders and community leaders who are dedicated to improving the lives of girls in our region. The Coalition brings together people and resources to educate, advocate and network on behalf of girls, but does not provide direct services to girls. It is governed by a Steering Committee that meets monthly. See www.girlscoalitionswpa.org for more information.

The Girls Coalition currently has more than sixty-five members. It publishes a monthly e-newsletter to distribute information about programs, services and other resources throughout the region. Consult the girls coalition website for information about upcoming programs and membership benefits as well as to sign up for the mailing list or request a copy of the regional resource directory.

How did the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania get started?

As FISA Foundation has expanded its grantmaking to benefit girls, we discovered that our region is fortunate to have many services and innovative opportunities. Some agencies (like the Girl Scouts and the YWCA) provide services specifically for girls; other agencies serve youth (both boys and girls). However, there is no formal way for leaders and staff of these organizations to share programming information, research, and training opportunities. Furthermore, though many people are interested in promoting the well-being of girls, no group is advocating for girls in policy discussions.
After learning that other girls’ coalitions in Boston and Seattle have become strong advocates and resources in their communities, FISA Foundation has taken the following steps to build a regional network:

After learning that other girls’ coalitions in Boston and Seattle have become strong advocates and resources in their communities, FISA Foundation has taken the following steps to build a regional network:

• Convened local thought leaders to discuss the need for a more formalized network.
• Researched the structure and evolution of existing girls’ coalitions across the country to inform local planning.
• Conducted a survey of local girl-serving agencies to assess the needs and gaps in services for girls, and to solicit volunteers to begin planning the Coalition.
• Assembled representatives of local foundations and girl-serving agencies to serve as the “steering committee” for the emerging Coalition.