Community Life

The heart of Girlstown's community life is the home life program. Six large homes give the girls the opportunity to develop healthy, positive relationships with adults and peers.

House parent couples live in each home in order to model a healthy family for 10 – 12 girls. Generally, two residents share a bedroom.

The house parents provide the nurturing, consistency, structure and teaching necessary to give the girls basic skills for everyday living. The girls have regular chores, specific study times, and reasonable bedtimes. They receive an allowance for demonstrating responsibility in completing chores and being cooperative members of the group.

Professionals from many areas are part of the child care team and they help to provide a safe and supportive environment. Every girl at Girlstown has a caseworker who is involved in her life and who bridges the gaps between home life, school and family to ensure that everything is in place to support the girl's goals while at Girlstown.

Emphasis is placed on forming partnerships with family members. The goal is to improve each girl's quality of life and assist her in preparing for the day she may either rejoin her family or transition into independence.

Members of the Youth Leadership Committee assist their peers in developing positive attitudes and behaviors. Members model a positive value system, set up and engage others in healthy and fun activities, and support the goals of all the programs at Girlstown.