Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Carter.
Hi Ashleigh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I founded Carter Girls in 2018 after working with a group of girls in a treatment facility. I knew I wanted to continue to help girls even after resigning from my position at the facility, but I wasn’t sure how. After a rather brief conversation with God, He gave me Carter Girls.
Carter Girls is a non-profit organization committed to bridging the opportunity gaps that exist for young girls interested in STEAM and or Fine Arts. Carter Girls is dedicated to the education, empowerment, and exposure of young girls in the greater Houston area. We achieve our goals by providing scholarships to girls ages 5-18 years old from financially insecure families to attend the Fine Art or STEAM summer camp of their choice.
I often get the question, “Why summer camps?” Summer camps expose children to unique fields of interest, they reinvent and eliminate categories, encourage relationship building, help with mental stimulation & physical activity, and allow for confidence to be reinforced by success.
Carter Girls is my passion project, my mission from the Lord, and my way of serving those in need. During the summer of 2020, Carter Girls was able to present 14 high school senior girls with care packages filled with items to help them begin their collegiate journey. In the summer of 2021, we sent three talented young dancers to a six-week intensive dance camp.
It is the goal of the organization to grow each year and positively impact as many young girls as possible. I am confident that Carter Girls’ dream of building and opening “Camp Carter” will come to pass.
If you would like to learn more about Carter Girls or donate to our cause, please visit www.cartergirls.org today!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most significant struggle has been fundraising. The pandemic has made it a bit more difficult to raise funds. However, we continue to be creative and figure out ways to make the funds we do have stretch to meet the needs of as many girls as possible.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have worked in education for the last 7 years, but the 2021-2022 school year is my first year in the classroom. It has been interesting, to say the least, but I really love children and I enjoy being able to interact and engage with them daily.
As educators, the best part of our profession is seeing the growth and development in our students, whether it’s emotional, academic, or personal it’s a great feeling to see them figure it out. Ms. Carter’s classroom is known for great vibes, creativity, and a can-do attitude.
We collaborate daily and my favorite part is to see my students venture away from their friend groups and discover and develop new relationships with their peers. Not to brag, but my classroom is lit!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes! COVID impacted me in ways I couldn’t even conceptualize. Fortunately, I didn’t lose anyone close to me due to the virus, but I did enter into a space of grief. It wasn’t until after a conversation with one of my digital media clients that I understood that what I was experiencing was grief.
She shared with me that most people consider grief to be only relevant when someONE is lost, but you can grieve over anything. The loss of freedom, routine, job, relationships, etc. But knowing others were suffering from what I thought was “real grieve” I would not let myself process my feelings and that didn’t help me at all.
Like most, I had to find new ways to entertain, occupy and make myself happy that could take place in my house. So, I began making candles with my youngest sister. We started a small business and hope to grow it in the future.
Contact Info:
- Email: ashleigh@cartergirls.org
- Website: www.cartergirls.org
- Instagram: @cartergirlsinc
- Facebook: cartergirlsinc1
- Twitter: @cartergirlsinc1
