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Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Host Ribbon Cutting For First-of-its-Kind Leadership Center in Newark

Press Contact:
Debra Rutt
Marketing & Communications Manager
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
drutt@gshnj.org
(C) 201-419-8085

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Host Ribbon Cutting For First-of-its-Kind Leadership Center in Newark

Celebrating the Grand Opening of a Groundbreaking Space for
Girl Leadership in New Jersey

Photos from event available for download HERE

April 11, 2025, Newark, NJ — On Friday, April 11, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) officially opened the doors and celebrated the grand opening of the new Girl Scout Leadership Center (GSLC) at 375 McCarter Highway in Newark—a vibrant, inclusive space for leadership development, community engagement, and innovative programming for Girl Scouts and the broader community. Located in one of New Jersey’s most influential urban centers—and in the heart of the GSHNJ footprint—this Leadership Center reflects what is possible when access to opportunity is matched with the drive to lead and the commitment to make a difference.

The ribbon-cutting event featured remarks from GSHNJ:

Natasha Hemmings, CEO, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey;
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, Director, Girl Scout Leadership Center Newark;
Dr. Naima Ricks, Board Chair, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey;
Samiyah H., Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey youth member, Ambassador.

Remarks were also shared by elected officials:

U.S. House of Representatives, N.J. 10th Congressional District, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver;
Chief Education Officer, Office of Comprehensive Community Education, Dr. Sharnee Brown - representing Newark Mayor Raz Baraka.
Newark Council President, Council Member at Large, C. Lawrence Crump, Esq.

“In 2024, we didn’t just break walls in a building—we planted seeds for the future,” said Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. “Today, the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark is a beacon of equity, access, and innovation—designed by girls, for girls, in one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in our council. This space is a promise kept: that every Girl Scout, no matter their zip code, deserves a place where they are seen, celebrated, and supported.”

Girl Scout membership in Newark has surged by more than 750% since 2018 and now includes more than 1,100 registered members, reflecting the impact of intentional investment in accessible, girl-led, community-based programming.

The GSLC was developed and shaped through months of thoughtful community engagement with stakeholders from across the council’s service area and throughout Greater Newark. Central to this process were the voices of Girl Scouts themselves, including seven youth members who served as Community Design Leaders, helping to ensure the space truly reflects the needs and dreams of those it serves.

Through weekly design sessions, the Community Design team developed proposals that guided everything from the center’s layout to the vibrant murals and décor that celebrate Newark’s culture. Seeking to emphasize flexibility, ensured the space can support simultaneous programmings, community use, and future needs. Their direction of this project demonstrates the impact of the skills taught through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the power of youth voice, bringing creativity, purpose, and possibility to life in every detail.

"We wanted the Leadership Center to feel like a true community space—welcoming, vibrant, and designed with purpose," said GSHNJ Girl Scout Samiyah H., one of the seven Community Design Leaders. "We thought about what it means to feel safe and inspired, and how we could make sure every part of the building reflects that. It's exciting to know that our ideas will continue to shape this space for years to come."

Unlike traditional Girl Scout Service Centers, which primarily support administrative and volunteer functions, or Girl Scout DreamLab, which are built for short-term experiences, the Girl Scout Leadership Center offers a vibrant, year-round destination for immersive programming. From STEM and entrepreneurship to creative exploration and community involvement, the GSLC is thoughtfully designed to be a dynamic, long-term space where youth members can learn, connect, and grow. While located in the heart of Newark, the center serves the broader Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey council, supporting more than 13,000 members across seven counties.

“This center is a shining example of what happens when we invest in young people,” said Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, Director of the Girl Scout Leadership Center Newark. “It was imagined by Girl Scouts, built with community, and is rooted in the values that guide our movement—responsibility, respect, service, and the drive to make the world a better place. Whether it’s a quiet reading corner or a room filled with energy and activity, the space radiates joy, creativity, and purpose. And while much has already been accomplished, the future holds even greater promise.”

GSHNJ’s Girl Scout Leadership Center’s journey is just beginning. While many features were unveiled at the grand opening, others will continue to unfold over time—ensuring the space evolves alongside the members, volunteers, and communities it serves. With new partnerships, additional funding, and ongoing community engagement, the GSLC is poised to deliver even more life-changing experiences and innovative programs throughout the council’s footprint.

The GSLC is home to signature Girl Scout programming, including Second Saturdays for badge-earning and troop connections, STEM workshops, creative exploration, physical activity, and entrepreneurship education focused on financial literacy, business planning, and career mentoring.

The more than 5,000-square-foot, ADA-compliant facility is designed to serve both the Girl Scout community and the public, offering a flexible and inspiring space for youth programs, special events, and meetings—from local gatherings to corporate functions. The center also features a retail store, a fully equipped executive conference room with advanced technology, kitchen amenities, multiple accessible restrooms, and on-site parking.

This facility is made possible through a 10-year, $4.48 million investment, supported by generous partners including the Victoria Foundation, the Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker—all leaders committed to expanding access and opportunity for youth in Newark and beyond.

Additional attendees of GSHNJ’s Girl Scout Leadership Center Ribbon Cutting event included members of the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office; N.J. State Senator, Legislative District 29 (Essex & Hudson Counties), M. Teresa Ruiz; Newark Council Member at Large, Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree; Newark Councilman, South Ward, Patrick Council; Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leon; Newark Board of Education Co-Vice President Vereliz Santana; Girl Scouts of the USA; Audible; La Casa de Don Pedro; New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, Newark Emergency Services for Families; Paramount Assets; Students 2 Science; Urban League of Essex County; Victoria Foundation; and YWCA of Northern New Jersey, among others.

Festivities for the Grand Opening of the Girl Scout Leadership Center will continue on Saturday, April 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a Grand Opening celebration open to all Girl Scouts and their families from across our council, as well as community partners and local businesses. This community festival is a free event filled with fun activities and celebration, including live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and tours of the GSLC. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site, and the event will take place rain or shine. More than 500 attendees are expected.

Learn more about the Girl Scout Leadership Center Newark and upcoming events at:

https://www.gshnj.org/en/discover/our-council/leadership-center.html

About Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) believes in the power of every girl. Our leadership program is designed to help girls discover who they are, what they can do, and connect with a powerful community of girls and mentors to make it happen. With unique opportunities, Girl Scouts explore, learn, succeed, and take action to make a difference in their community. Providing over 13,000 girls from kindergarten through 12th grade access to leadership programs and mentors throughout Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren, and parts of Middlesex counties, GSHNJ offers girls a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership. GSHNJ operates two service centers located in North Branch and Westfield and the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark as well as three camp locations: Camp Hoover in Middleville, N.J., Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, N.J., and The OVAL in Maplewood, N.J. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, please visit www.gshnj.org.

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April 11, 2025