Rachel Kiser
Blogger | Mom of Two
At first glance, the girls who make up Girl Scout Troop 6000 may seem just like your ordinary group of Scouts. They wear their vests, earn badges, and recite their pledge. They laugh, hug, and support one another.
The troop is also New York City’s first all-homeless group of girls, all living in the Sleep Inn in Queens, NY.
TODAY.COM
There are now 25 members in this troop, ranging in ages from 5-14. The group was initially started by Giselle Burgess, a single mother of five who herself lives at the Sleep Inn. When she saw a need for groups to strengthen the morale and skills of her own kids and the girls around her, she reached out, and surprisingly received what she asked for.
Burgess was given a position to form the troop, and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York are covering all of the costs for members of Troop 6000, including the membership fee, starter kit (consisting of vests and badges), handbooks, and more.
Burgess said, “It is not easy what we are going through. Some of the girls don’t have the opportunity to get out of their rooms and build those relationships. Having a troop here where there are plenty of girls to support each other is important.”
NY TIMES
As a former girl scout myself, I know the immense value in a group of girls coming together to strengthen one another to grow into responsible, independent, and capable humans. Simply finding yourself in a tough socioeconomic situation does not mean you are unworthy of receiving the same encouragement so many of us have access to. If anything, it’s more important.
Burgess’ daughter Karina said, “We’re like a pack. If one of us is down the rest of us will be there to pick them back up.”
And that’s exactly how it should be.
About Rachel Kiser
Rachel is a wife and mother living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s a fan of good coffee, wearer of gray t-shirts, and is constantly starting books she will never finish. Her family is her joy, and she loves to engage with other moms and dads on matters of parenting. Her blog posts have also been featured on the Today Show Parenting Blog and Scary Mommy.
View all posts by Rachel Kiser here.
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9 Comments on “New York’s First Homeless Girl Scout Troop Is Making News”
This is so great that these girls get the opportunity to be a part of Girls Scouts no matter their circumstances.
Just amazing friendships is so very important
What a wonderful idea! I’m sure it’s one of those memories the girls will happily keep!
Love this! So important to be inclusive and allow kids who are underprivileged access to all the events and group activities that other kids participate in. It makes a huge difference in their lives!
I love reading stories like this and seeing so many smiling faces. All it takes is one person, one Mom, to make a difference. Beautiful.
Aww such a warming story , Thank you for the share
I wish the Girl Scouts would start doing this more, and giving every girl a chance to be a Girl Scout despite income. It would give the girls something to look forward to and build their self-esteem. My daughters are Girl Scouts and they love it.
This story just warmed my heart. I was a Girl Scout growing up and I remember how much I loved feeling like part of a group and making friends I still have. It was an experience every little girl should have. These little girls deserve the same experience. It will do so much to bolster their confidence and also instill a belief that anything is possible.
This is an amazing group i loved getting my daughter involved in groups with girls such a learning experience!