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Engaging Communities

Fun, Friendship, and Learning that Centers Your Culture

Girl Scouts is a community where your kid can shine their brightest—Where they’ll find a sense of belonging and be celebrated for exactly who they are. Our BIPOC troops center the unique experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. Both Mentored Troops and ConnectZ are predominately, but not entirely, led by BIPOC adults who care deeply about making a difference in the lives of youth and their communities. Through a Girl Scout BIPOC troop, your kid is supported by mentors and youth who look like them. With culturally relevant programming, children's identities and experiences are centered and celebrated. Girl Scouts is where they can bring their full selves.

Girl Scouts Need You—Yes, You!

We believe representation matters. Providing BIPOC youth with role models and mentors that look like them can have a tremendous impact on their life. By seeing, interacting with, and learning from leaders of color, they too can see themselves as a leader. To provide these life-changing experiences for Girl Scouts, we need you—yes, you—to join us as a Mentored Troop leader. As a troop leader, you’ll lead a group of Girl Scouts on a path that connects earning badges, getting outdoors, and taking action in the community with knowing their worth and leading in their world.

Headshot of new Mentored Troop Leader Lori Cowan

“I am just so proud to be able to lead a mentored troop that is giving girls the opportunity to be Girl Scouts in an environment that I wish I had as a little girl.”

—Lori Cowan
Girl Scout Mentored Troop Leader

 

You Can Count on Us for Support

We know that not everyone finds Girl Scouting familiar or easily accessible, which is why we created the Mentored Troops program to provide you with the mentorship and support you need throughout your first year as a troop leader. From culturally relevant resources, to one-on-one coaching, to new leader training, we’ll be your partner every step of the way as you start your journey with Girl Scouts.

Community Engagement: Our Mission & Work

The Community Engagement Team leads the development and growth of Girl Scouts River Valleys’ Mentored Troops and ConnectZ programs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core Girl Scout values, and we work to increase visibility, build trust, and cultivate authentic and holistic relationships with communities of color. Our programs actively work toward increasing the ethnic diversity and representation of Girl Scouts and volunteers of color in the area we serve.  

About Mentored Troops

Mentored Troops center the unique experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth and encourage a sense of belonging and sisterhood in a culturally relevant environment. Troops are led by volunteer leaders, who care deeply about making a difference in the lives of girls and their communities. Both adult leaders and Girl Scouts are predominately, but not exclusively, BIPOC. At no cost to families, Girl Scouts in Mentored Troops receive the following during their first year: 

  • A paid Girl Scout membership fee for one year and placement into an ethnically diverse Girl Scout troop
  • A Girl Scout uniform kit and supplies
  • Troop funds to financially support your troop’s Girl Scout activities

Interested in learning more? Fill out our interest form.

About ConnectZ

ConnectZ Troops aim to make it easy for youth to participate in Girl Scouts, providing connection and community through a culturally responsive, youth-led leadership program. ConnectZ troops are led by Girl Scouts River Valleys staff and serve predominately, but not entirely Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. To eliminate access barriers, meetings are conveniently held at local schools or organizations and programming is free. There is no cost for membership, uniforms, or programmatic experiences, like camp.

ConnectZ is available at select partner sites. If you’re interested in this option, complete our interest form. We’ll follow up with information about troop availability.  

 

Interested in Working with the Community Engagement Team?

We’d love to connect. Email CommunityEngagement@girlscoutsrv.org or give us a call at 800-845-0787.

Meet the Community Engagement Team
Coco Du portrait photo

Coco Du

Vice President of Community Engagement

Jasmine Graves portrait photo

Jasmine Graves

Director of Girl Experience and Troop Leader Support

Keziah Ojika portrait photo

Keziah Ojika

Director of Community Cultivation & Partnerships

Mishereen Ellis portrait photo

Mishereen Ellis

Girl, Family, and Alumi Engagement Team Lead

Yovi Beyene portrait photo

Maddie Lawler

Community Engagement Coordinator (Rochester)

Cāsi Lopez-Xiong

Cāsi Lopez-Xiong

Program Assistant

Samantha Vang portrait photo

Samantha Vang

Girl Curriculum and Troop Leader Support Team Lead

Mary Gwen portrait photo

Mary Gwen Thompson

Community Engagement Coordinator

Sunny Thao portrait photo

Sunny Thao

Community Engagement Coordinator

Yovi Beyene portrait photo

Yovi Beyene

Community Engagement Coordinator (Worthington)

Yuri Smith portrait photo

Yuri Smith

Community Engagement Coordinator

Mary Muñoz portrait photo

Mary Muñoz

Latinx Partnerships Team Lead

Kiara Jordan

Kiara Jordan

Community Engagement Coordinator (Rochester)

Natasha Rosario

Natasha Rosario

Latinx Partnership Coordinator

May Xiong portrait photo

May Xiong

Community Partnerships Team Lead

Ches Cipriano portrait photo

Ches Cipriano

Community Engagement Coordinator - West Metro

Khadra Mohamed portrait photo

Khadra Mohamed

Community Engagement Coordinator - South Metro

Rosalind Moore portrait photo

Rosalind Moore

Community Engagement Coordinator - East Metro

Brenda Montes portrait photo

Brenda Montes

Project Coordinator

 

Ways to Volunteer

Your time is valuable, and our Girl Scouts will benefit from whatever amount of time you are able to commit. We have many different volunteer opportunities. Read on to see which one is a good fit for you.

Troop Leader or Co-Leader: As a troop leader, you’ll introduce Girl Scouts to new experiences and help them reach their full potential to take the lead and change the world. Learn more about the troop leader role.