FRWRC awards 2021 Kim South Girl Grant to Reaching Out Now

Reaching Out Now Diamonds & Pearls Gala

The Front Royal Women’s Resource Center (FRWRC) awarded its annual Kim South Girl Grant to the Reaching Out Now, Girls of Destiny Program for the second year in a row. The $1000 grant was presented at the Reaching Out Now Diamonds & Pearls Gala on June 16.

“The Girl of Destiny Leadership Program directly aligns with the mission of the Kim South Girl Grant by empowering young women in our community with workshops and programs that help them rise above life’s challenges,” said Joyce Jenkins-Wimmer, FRWRC President and the Girl Grant Chair. “We are delighted to award this grant to this thriving program for the second year in a row.  We were especially excited to have Mary Ellen South, the funder of this grant, with us this year to witness all the leadership opportunities this program offers to the youngest women in our community.”

Mary Ellen South, a member of the Front Royal Women’s Resource Center, and her husband Mike, established the Kim South Girl Grant in 2006 in memory of their young daughter. Awarded annually, the grant supports middle-school aged girls by providing programs that inspire future leadership, curiosity, confidence, and success.

“When Mike and I first established the grant, the FRWRC worked with middle school counselors to award the grant to individual girls,” she said.  “We have been thrilled to watch its expansion to reach more young women.”

Over the years, the grant has supported summer camp, courses in the arts, summer school, a training course, tutoring or special needs. Grants are also awarded to organizations or a clubs that empower young girls through related activities. Since 2006, 22 individual grants and seven program grants have been awarded totaling $15,450.

The Reaching Out Now organization recognized Mary Ellen South’s significant contributions to young women in the community with a special Legacy Award.

Ms. South dedicated a new poem, Girl Power, when accepting the Legacy Award from Reaching Out Now:

Girl Power

Girls are special
Girls are strong
Girls can be anything
Girls can achieve it all.
When I was a girl I looked
At a mountain far away
I said I’ll cross that mountain
And one day I did.
I’ve crossed that mountain and many more
Fulfilling dreams with a few scars
But never giving up, never giving into
The notion that I couldn’t, that I wouldn’t.
Women are special
Women are strong
Women can be anything
Women achieve and carry those girls on their shoulders.

So reach out, reach up
Search for your dream
Your destiny awaits…
And you can do it.

Mary Ellen South
June 2021

About Front Royal Women’s Resource Center

The Front Royal Women’s Resource Center (FRWRC) is a 25-year-old non-profit organization, dedicated to providing a support network for women in the Warren County area through programs, information and education. Over the last two decades, FRWRC has provided networking opportunities, spotlighted women leaders in our community and awarded more than $133,000 in grants and scholarships to 178 Warren County women and girls to support education, and professional and personal enrichment opportunities. We empower women to change their world. Visit our website frwrc.org and follow us on Twitter @FRWRC.