OUR IMPACT

Danielle joined Girls Inc. of Alameda County as a shy seventh grader who questioned her leadership potential. But Girls Inc. quickly became the environment where her voice, confidence, and academic ambitions began to take form. Through STEM workshops, public health projects, and leadership development, she discovered her passion for community health. “At Girls Inc., I learned that my ideas mattered. I went from silent in the back of the room to leading citywide youth commissions,” she says. Danielle graduated UC Berkeley with honors, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and now works as an Analytics Consultant at Kaiser Permanente. She is currently preparing to attend Law School to specialize in healthcare policy.

Tayo came to Girls Inc. of Alameda County in middle school feeling isolated, disengaged, and unsure of herself. But through Girls Inc.’s hands-on STEM programming and nurturing community, she began to see new possibilities. A pivotal moment came during a field trip to an urban planning firm, where she learned people actually design the bridges and roads she used on a daily basis. “That day changed everything,” she says. “For the first time, I saw a future I wanted—and believed I could have.” With one-on-one college guidance, she became the first in her family to attend college, earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering from UC Davis and a master’s in transportation policy. Today, Tayo works as a Civil Engineer in the Bay Area, helping build the infrastructure of tomorrow. “Girls Inc. didn’t just support me,” she says. “They showed me who I could become—and then helped me become her.”

Tehray’s journey with Girls Inc. of Alameda County began amid family instability and immense personal struggle. Facing parental incarceration and moments of homelessness, she often felt alone—until she found Girls Inc. “They were my safe haven,” she says. “They helped me see that my circumstances didn’t have to define me.” With Girls Inc.’s help, she returned to school, navigated the legal system for her own protection, and applied for college. She discovered a passion for finance through a Girls Inc. partnership with BlackRock and went on to study Economics at UC Merced. She currently works as an Analyst at BlackRock Asset Management—the very company that first opened her eyes to her career path. “Girls Inc. gave me the tools, the mentors, and the belief that I could build a different life,” she says. “Now, I want to be the kind of leader who gives back the way they gave to me.”