Troy, NY [September 12, 2024] – Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region, a youth-serving organization
working with over 200 girls daily, has launched a partnership with Russell Sage College, allowing the
nonprofit organization to expand its offerings.
The collaboration expands Girl Inc. of the Greater Capital Region’s Rensselaer County after school
program to the Russell Sage Campus in Troy, serving girls in grades 4 through 7, which will double the
number of participants this year. The program follows a national curriculum focused on science,
technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) and launches this week in a newly dedicated
space on the college campus. In collaboration with Russell Sage College, students will assist with this
program as part of their service learning hours.

Approximately 35 girls are enrolled in the Troy afterschool program. Of those currently enrolled in our
programming, 85% identify as girls of color (Hispanic, Black Multi-racial, or Other), 65% come from
households with an income below $30,000, and 65% are from single-parent households. These statistics
reflect the demographic makeup of the girls served by Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region,
highlighting the critical role our organization plays in empowering girls from underrepresented
communities.

“Returning to Russell Sage College, where I learned so much about the power of community and
education, is a full-circle moment for me,” said Ashli Fragomeni, CEO of Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital
Region. “As an alumna and now adjunct professor, teaching the ‘Innovating to Impact’ course, paired
with our Troy afterschool program here at Russell Sage, allows us to give Girls Inc. participants a
firsthand experience of what it means to be in a truly empowering academic environment. This expansion
reflects the heart of both our organizations – encouraging young women to lead and challenge the world
around them.”

Female students from Russell Sage College will participate throughout the school year as mentors in Girls
Inc.’s Eureka! Program, creating a new multi-generational component to the existing Council of Women
for Girls. Fragomeni believes that the Eureka! participants will be excited to regularly interact with
college students, who are closer to their age and can offer relatable guidance.

In addition, career professionals — including Andrea Rehn, undergraduate dean and dean of the School of
Arts and Sciences at Russell Sage — will join the cohort of Professional Women Mentors to lead
mentorship activities and create opportunities for meaningful connections spanning the generations.
Russell Sage College has been a recognized driver for social mobility. U.S. News & World Report ranked
Russell Sage 15th among national universities in its 2024 Best Colleges for Social Mobility category.
Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel said the partnership with Girls Inc. speaks to the college’s roots,
as it is a co-ed institution today but was founded by Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage in 1916 to provide
educational opportunities and empowerment to women.

“Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage would be so pleased to know that empowering students is still at the heart
of what we do at Russell Sage. She was bold in her own right – determined to lift the voices of women in
society when her husband, Russell Sage, did not share her passion. And in a little act of rebellion, she
used part of the fortune she inherited after he died to found the college and then named it after him,”
Shaftel said. “Girls Inc. teaches young women to use their voices and to be bold,” he said. “Being a community partner is core to what we do at Russell Sage, and we’re proud to be part of this work.”

About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region provides life-changing programs and experiences that
inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, and
leadership development, Girls Inc. equips girls with the tools and confidence to overcome
challenges and realize their full potential.

For more information on Russell Sage College, please contact Jennifer Gish, Vice President for Marketing and Communications Email Jennifer Gish.

Press Contact: Belinda Washock
Email: bwashock@gcr.girls-inc.org