About Us

Girls First of Norristown (then known as St. Augustine Academy) opened its doors in 2009, as an outreach endeavor supported financially by St. David's Church in Radnor. The idea originated with a young woman serving as the Deacon of St. Augustine’s Church in Norristown. A fundraiser provided the seed money for our independent, non-religious after school program to be launched.

Our program originally operated just one day per week working specifically with second graders. Over time, our program grew. Additional program days and grade levels were added and it continued to evolve. Girls First now provides academic and social-emotional support through a trauma-informed, arts-based after school curriculum and a two week summer camp.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Girls First expanded our reach through Outreach Programming at two additional sites in Southeastern Pennsylvania – The Chester Charter Scholars Academy (CCSA) in the city of Chester as well as The Gesu School in Philadelphia. During the Fall of 2024, Girls First established an outreach program partnership with Chester Exchange and Chester Eastside, Inc. to launch Kids First, an inaugural co-ed afterschool program using the Artsee© Curriculum.

Our Mission & Values

We build character, instill a positive sense of self, and provide tangible life skills through a creative arts-based curriculum with exposure to the sciences, academic reinforcement, and social-emotional learning.

To reach children in more communities with our unique trauma informed, arts-based, and emotionally responsive academic programming, which inspires and empowers students to be their best selves every day.

Girls First Core Values

Build Trust

With an environment that is physically and emotionally safe

Model Empathy

Kindness to students and their families experiencing hardships

FOSTER Collaboration

Teach the value of working together for the common good

Measure Outcomes

Our compassion is supported by a data-driven culture to achieve results

Be Resourceful

Provide the best possible programming with the resources available to us

Celebrate Diversity

Value differences and each other's backgrounds to build stronger communities

Promote Empowerment

Allow everyone a voice and a choice

Nurture Creativity

Enable students to explore and apply arts and sciences through their own lens

Strategic Plan

Building on 15 Years of Impact

Since 2009, Girls First has grown from serving a small group of second graders to impacting over 100 students across southeastern Pennsylvania through our trauma-informed Artsee© curriculum. As we look toward the future, we're committed to expanding our reach while deepening our impact.

Our strategic plan outlines an ambitious yet thoughtful approach to growth, focusing on five key areas:

Over the next three years, we're working toward 10 outreach partnerships within the tri-county area, developing programming for middle school students, creating in-school residency programs, and building the organizational capacity to serve hundreds more children in need—all while maintaining the quality and integrity that makes Girls First unique.

Ready to learn more about our vision for the future?

Meet The Team

Girls First Directors

Teaching Artists

Integral to our program are Girls First’s Teaching Artist Apprentices (TAA) and Outreach Teaching Artists. The Apprenticeship Program provides training for Teaching Artists to create and support equitable learning environments through trauma-informed, arts-based explorations that integrate academic and social-emotional skill building.

Board of Directors