What did you do for your Gold Award project?
My project helps provide computers to families in need. My project works directly with Family Promise of Greater Denver. Family Promise of Greater Denver is an organization that is dedicated to serving families experiencing homelessness. I chose to work with Family Promise of Greater Denver to help provide them with computers for high school students enrolled in their program. My project then grew to getting computers for the entire family.
I learned about Family Promise of Greater Denver through my church. Our church hosts families four times a year. I volunteer for them by making meals and by providing babysitting when the families are at our church. I have met several homeless teens going to school without a computer. I couldn’t imagine not having a computer for school. This is what has helped me identify the need for my project.
In my search for computers, I found another non-profit, Denver Tech for All. Denver Tech for All has agreed to provide the computers to Family Promise of Greater Denver families in need. Currently, more than 100 computers have been distributed since January 2018.
I wanted to help Denver Tech for All by hosting a computer equipment collection. This allowed my project to help other individuals that needed a computer that are not part of Family Promise of Greater Denver.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
One long-term impact for my target audience is learning computer skills that will serve them over their lifetime. Family Promise of Greater Denver shared this success story.
“A single mom and her two teenage daughters all got laptops. Because of that, the mom (who had been unemployed) was able to search for jobs and apply online, and she got hired and is now employed full-time! And her daughters are able to do their schoolwork at home now – and one of them made the honor roll and won an award for ‘most improved 9th grader’.”
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
Denver Tech for All has agreed to provide computers to five families every week through Family Promise of Greater Denver. These computers are free and the individual can come back to Denver Tech for All for technical support at any time. Additionally, six companies have agreed to provide Denver Tech for All any computer equipment they no longer need.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
I have shared the success of my project with Family Promise headquarters in New Jersey. There is an article published on their website about this project (https://familypromise.org/category/the-latest/) and it was shared on social media. Additionally, my project success has been shared with over 200 Family Promise affiliates around the United States.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned I am a hard worker and I really enjoy helping in the community. I learned how to communicate with people and get my point across.
At the computer equipment drive, I learned I had great leadership skills. I helped organize the collection of the computer equipment and trained my volunteers.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
Earning the Gold Award has prepared me not to give up, even if I receive rejection or run into obstacles. During my project, I had times when it became difficult, but I pushed past the obstacles and completed strong. Knowing I can do this will be invaluable in my future.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
The Gold Award was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because I identified a need in my community and I found a solution. I have my troop to thank. The years leading up to my Gold Award, we did several projects and I learned a lot about completing projects. I was lucky to belong to a great troop full of love, friends, and support.
How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
Earning the Gold Award helped me become a go-getter. All of the goals that I set; I have surpassed. I wanted two tons of computer equipment for Denver Tech for All to be donated and so far, they have received 2.5 tons; I wanted all teens enrolled in Family Promise of Greater Denver to receive computers (about 20-30 teens) which they did plus computers have been given to all family members over the age of five enrolled in Family Promise of Greater Denver. I wanted to get five companies to continue donating computer equipment to Denver Tech for All and I have six companies.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication, and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org.