Owensboro’s Girls Inc. received the organization’s National Network Community Leadership Award during an annual conference last week.
National Board Member Sue Napper said that receiving the award was a total surprise. The award is given to an organization for showcasing leadership, creativity, and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“We are beyond honored. Humbled is a better word for what we are feeling, and we are full of gratitude for the opportunities we have daily to take the lead and be creative, innovative, and just plain community servants as needs arise,” Owensboro CEO Tish Correa Osborne said.
According to National Affiliate Services Director Niki Kelly, Owensboro’s location has been sharing existing resources to help close gaps in its programming.
Another way they contributed to the community was using agency vans to transport elderly voters to the elections polls and also to get vaccines when needed. Owensboro’s Girls Inc. also created a Virtual Academy to serve students from 22 schools. They also reached out to at-risk populations to ensure they would be included in the census polling.
Owensboro’s Girls Inc. was able to find innovative ways to raise money to ensure every service and regular activity would be fully funded.
“Thinking back on all that the staff, the board of trustees, and community partners did together during these past few years brings tears to my eyes,” said Girls Inc. Executive Director Tish Correa Osborne. “We didn’t do this alone. Every day we got to serve and lead in ways we never had before with others that cared as deeply. We kept finding so many new strengths and new ways to serve. Our passion for the girls we serve and for the people of this community is what drives us to do more and be more, always.”
