In April 1964, a group of Alamedans met to begin a program for girls and incorporated as Alameda Girls' Club, Inc. In October, the first program began using space at First Congregational Church. Fifty-eight girls enrolled that year, and in 1965 Alameda Girls' Club affiliated with Girls' Clubs of America. In 1970 the organization moved to 1419 Union Street and in 1983 to its present location. Currently about 200 girls are served every year.

We began our first licensed school-site Activity Center in 1981. At the present time we operate the girls' membership center at 1724 Santa Clara Avenue and Activity Centers for boys and girls at Bay Farm, Earhart, Edison, Franklin, Lum, Otis and Paden schools, providing care and activities for more than 300 children every day.

In 1990, Girls Clubs of America became Girls Inc. so we would not be confused with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In 1996, Alameda Girls' Club became Girls Incorporated of the Island City. In 2004-2005, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary with many exciting events including the Celebrating Girls in Alameda Student Art Contest and Showcase.

Over the years, there have been many milestones to celebrate. Here are some of the highlights:

• 1964 Incorporated, hired first Executive Director and began girls' programming
• 1965 Became affiliated with the national organization-Girls' Clubs of America
• 1970 Purchased and moved into first home at 1419 Union Street
• 1981 Joyce Denyven became 5th Executive Director
• 1981 Opened 1st school-site Activity Center (now Alameda Island Kids)
• 1983 Purchased and moved to new home at 1724 Santa Clara Avenue
• 1989 Celebrated 25th year of services to girls in Alameda
• 1990 Girls Clubs of America became Girls Inc.
• 1993 Romy Amos became Executive Director
• 1996 Changed organizational name to Girls Incorporated of the Island City
• 1999 Celebration of Excellence Luncheon (now Women Who Dare) established as signature event
• 2002 Executive Director elected to Girls Inc. National Board of Directors
• 2003 1st "Girls Take Charge" Teen Summit Conference
• 2003 Launched our first website
• 2004 Teen Program established
• 2004 Women of the 21st Century Club established
• 2005 Karen Kenney became executive Director
• 2006 Activity Center Program renamed Alameda Island Kids
• 2006 Three of our teens won national scholarships through the national Girls Inc. organization

In addition, we've celebrated girls at a number of fundraisers, including: Carousel Luncheons; the Sundowner; Golf Tournaments; Cruises; the Sundowner and Sundown to Starlight; VIP Parties and our Annual Awards Dinner.

We have also won a number of national competitions and distinctions, including the National Scholarships for our teens, National Poetry Contests; Sewing Contests; a National Program Award for our Best Foot Forward program; and the Annie E. Casey Strengthening Families Award for our locally developed The Magic Within and Homegrown programs.

To find out more about the history of Girls Inc. nationally, visit our National Herstory page. Girls Incorporated of the Island City has a proud history of serving girls and looks forward to 40 more years of success!