The Heartbeat Newsletter - February '26
Welcome to the inaugural issue of The HeartBeat, a quarterly newsletter created especially for Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey supporters and friends who believe in the power of Girl Scouts. Inside you will discover highlights from across our Council—programs, events, and stories that reflect how Girl Scouts are growing in confidence, leading with courage, and developing the character to make a difference in their communities.
Each issue will offer a clear view into the impact donors like you helped create. Whether it is expanding access to Girl Scouts, strengthening volunteer leadership, or introducing youth to new skills and opportunities, your support fuels experiences that shape confidence, curiosity, and character. Thank you for being part of a community committed to ensuring more New Jersey Girl Scouts are prepared to lead—now and in the future.
I joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten, before I had any sense of how long something could stay with you or how deeply it could shape you. What began as weekly meetings and small badges gradually became the most consistent presence in my life, growing and maturing alongside me year after year. Now, as I enter my final year, I can see that Girl Scouts has become the foundation for how I learn, lead, and understand my own potential.
For more than a decade, Girl Scouts has been where I tested ideas and learned what I was capable of when trusted with real responsibility. That shift became especially clear through SheStormz. In middle school, I was deeply passionate about STEM but quickly felt discouraged after joining my middle school robotics club and realizing I was the only girl in the room. Girl Scouts gave me the space to reclaim that passion. Through building and programming robots from sixth to eighth grade, I developed not only technical skills but a love of science, engineering, and creativity that felt entirely my own. Some may have dismissed the purple wigs we wore to competitions as silly, but to me, they symbolized the community Girl Scouts builds from the ground up.
That same sense of belonging drew me back years later as a mentor. This past season, I helped younger girls on SheStormz work through obstacles, refine their innovation projects, and, most importantly, trust their own problem-solving. Watching their confidence grow and getting to know each girl on the team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
As I’ve grown older, Girl Scouts has evolved with me, entrusting me with platforms where my voice and values could matter. I’ve represented my council publicly as a member of Media Girls, spoken at YouLead through a Spark Talk about bioethics and leadership, and now serve as a National Delegate for our council, contributing to decisions that shape the future of the organization. That became especially clear through my work with the NJ Bike and Walk Coalition and AARP Video Storytelling Project, where I interviewed senior citizens in Newark about their lived experiences and the barriers they face in staying active within their communities.
My Gold Award focuses on creating STEM Corners in public libraries and leading workshops so curiosity and experimentation are accessible to every child. Together, these experiences taught me how small, thoughtful efforts can grow into meaningful, community-centered change.
More than any single skill, Girl Scouts gave me a belief in my own potential and a responsibility to use it well. It taught me that understanding carries its own form of expertise and that leadership is built through consistency and action. As I close this chapter, I don’t see an ending, but a foundation, one that will continue to shape how I lead, advocate, and contribute long after my final year as a Girl Scout.
In October, Girl Scout Juniors celebrated a major milestone by bridging to Cadettes with a 1.13-mile walk across the Brooklyn Bridge—an experience thoughtfully led by GSHNJ staff to honor an important moment in their Girl Scout journey.
As Girl Scouts grow older, staying engaged becomes more challenging, making this transition a critical time to offer experiences that feel meaningful and empowering.
Along the way, Girl Scouts explored New York City landmarks and learned about Emily Warren Roebling, whose leadership helped complete the bridge. Her story reinforced Girl Scout values like courage, resilience, and perseverance.
Because of supporters like you, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey can create moments like this—helping girls feel proud of how far they’ve come and confident as they take their next steps in Girl Scouting and beyond.
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey hosted Woman Up!: Social Justice by the Numbers, a two-part leadership program for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts that connects financial literacy with social justice. The program helps Girl Scouts understand how math, data, and financial strategies can be powerful tools for advancing equity in their communities.
The journey began with Money Matters sessions aboard GSHNJ’s Mobile Classroom, powered by Kean University, which traveled to Somerset, Maplewood, Newark, Bridgewater, Clark, and Plainfield. Participants explored budgeting, analyzed financial trends, and examined real-world issues such as the gender pay gap, financial exploitation, and how public policy impacts women’s economic health.
On November 1, Girl Scouts gathered at Kean University for a culminating mini-conference featuring interactive workshops and a panel on advancing women’s financial equity. Panelists included Congresswoman LaMonica R. McIver, Member of the United States House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District; New Jersey Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter; Township of Hillside Councilwoman Andrea Hyatt; and GSHNJ Board Member and Lifetime Girl Scout Aarin Michele Williams, Esq., who delivered the keynote address.
Through budgeting, data-driven thinking, and civic engagement, Girl Scouts gained confidence, skills, and a deeper understanding of how to lead with purpose and create meaningful, equitable change in their communities.
On November 7, 2025, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey brought Girl Scouts of all ages to Verizon’s headquarters in Basking Ridge for an engaging STEM Day hosted by Verizon’s WAVE (Women’s Association of Verizon Employees) Employee Resource Group. The experience offered a hands-on look at how technology has evolved—and where it’s headed next.
Girl Scouts explored the history of communication by dialing rotary phones, stepping inside a classic phone booth, and examining early cell phones, sparking curiosity and conversation. They also engaged with modern innovations, including family safety technology and creative uses of artificial intelligence, gaining insight into tools shaping today’s world and future careers.
Throughout the day Verizon mentors shared personal stories that highlighted the many pathways into STEM careers and the impact women can have in technology. Partnerships like this make it possible for Girl Scouts to engage in real-world STEM experiences, ask meaningful questions, and imagine themselves as future innovators and leaders.
Some moments capture the very essence of Girl Scouts—when leadership, community, and belonging come together in a way that feels deeply human. This past fall, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey experienced one of those moments through a powerful, intergenerational partnership rooted in connection and listening.
In October, GSHNJ partnered with the New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, a 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant recipient, to bring Girl Scouts together with more than 500 Newark seniors at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. Focused on mobility, access, and equity, the experience invited Girl Scouts to step into the role of civic leaders—listening to elders share stories of growing up in Newark, navigating public transportation, and witnessing how their neighborhoods have changed over time.
What unfolded was transformative for everyone involved. Seniors were reminded that their voices and experiences still matter. Girl Scouts learned that leadership begins with listening, respect, and curiosity—and that advocacy often starts by honoring someone else’s story.
The partnership continued in December with a culminating celebration that offered space to reflect, reconnect, and take pride in what had been created together. This initiative marks the beginning of an ongoing collaboration grounded in civic engagement and equity—and a powerful reminder that when Girl Scouts are trusted to lead, meaningful connections and lasting impact follow.
Each fall, Octoberfest offers women the opportunity to step away from busy routines and reconnect—with themselves and with one another. In 2025, this long-standing Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey tradition brought women ages 21 and older together for a weekend of creativity, connection, and renewal. Through hands-on activities, meaningful conversations, shared meals, and lively entertainment, participants built friendships and created memories that extended well beyond the weekend.
More than a getaway, Octoberfest strengthens a sense of belonging and community. Participants returned home feeling refreshed, supported, and reenergized—carrying forward connections that deepen engagement with Girl Scouts and reinforce the importance of spaces where women can connect, reflect, and grow together.
In December 2025, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey proudly hosted the inaugural Beyond the Badge Showcase—a powerful reimagining of the traditional pageant experience rooted in the Girl Scout mission. Rather than focusing on appearance, the showcase celebrated sisterhood and highlighted Girl Scouts as leaders of courage, confidence, and character. Thirteen Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts spent two months preparing to present an inspiring program for their families and the Girl Scout community.
The showcase featured three meaningful segments. Confidence invited Girl Scouts to express themselves through a fashion presentation. Courage gave them the stage to share their talents. Character highlighted their commitment to service, as each Girl Scout presented on the community service hours they completed and participated in interviews that shared who they are beyond the uniform.
Each participant earned the True North Pin, a symbol of inner light and guiding values in the Girl Scout tradition. Thanks to donors like you, Girl Scouts can explore who they are, lead with confidence, and live the values of courage, confidence, and character beyond the uniform—building skills and self-belief that will guide them well beyond their Girl Scout experience.
Her Future in Focus: New Jersey Girls Speak Up
What do New Jersey girls need to succeed today—and grow into confident leaders tomorrow? To find out, the four Girl Scout Councils across New Jersey asked girls directly. Their insights are captured in Her Future in Focus: The New Jersey Girl Report, a statewide study grounded in girls’ real experiences.
Girls shared a strong desire to lead and make a difference, along with real challenges—stress and anxiety, pressure to succeed, and uneven access to STEM, leadership, and career exploration. They were equally clear about what helps them thrive: caring mentors, hands-on learning, and safe spaces to build confidence and try new things.
This feedback guides our work. Girl Scout programs are designed to meet girls where they are, strengthening leadership, resilience, and practical skills for the future. Through our new External Affairs Department, we are engaging partners and advocates to turn these insights into action. Whether you are interested in aligning your organization with the Report, contributing expertise, informing policy conversations, or supporting programmatic solutions grounded in girls’ voices, we would love to connect. To learn more, reach out to Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, Vice President of External Affairs at tmalcolm@gshnj.org.
On December 4, 2025, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey gathered at the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark for a joyful evening honoring CEO Natasha Hemmings-Durant and her 25 years of service to the Girl Scout Movement. Supporters, colleagues, and friends filled the space with warmth and gratitude as they celebrated a leader whose impact has shaped generations of girls and strengthened our council.
Throughout the evening, guests shared stories and reflections highlighting Natasha’s unwavering commitment to expanding access, strengthening programs, and ensuring girls across New Jersey are supported and prepared to lead. From longtime partners to newer supporters, the room reflected a shared appreciation for her vision, compassion, and dedication to girls.
More than a celebration of a milestone, the gathering served as a reminder of what is possible when strong leadership and generous community support come together. Thanks to donors and friends who joined us, the evening honored the past while reaffirming our shared commitment to the future of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey—and to the girls who inspire everything we do.
A Little House, Reimagined:
A New Chapter for Girl Scouts in Union
On October 19, 2025, the Friberger Park Community & Girl Scout House reopened in Union Township, marking a bold new chapter for a space rooted in more than 70 years of Girl Scouting in the community. The reimagined “little house” now serves as a shared hub for Girl Scouts and local residents—honoring its history while creating space for connection and leadership.
This milestone was championed by Service Unit 43 Manager Sandra Nogueira, whose advocacy helped ensure Girl Scouts would continue to have a home in Union after the original facility was slated for demolition. Generously donated by Union Township, the new house reflects the power of partnership and community investment.
The standing-room-only grand opening included remarks from local and county officials, New Jersey State Senator Joseph Cryan, Taaliba Warden of Troop 40619, and Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey CEO Natasha Hemmings-Durant.
Today, the house continues to serve as a gathering place for local troops and a symbol of girl-led leadership—reflected even outside its doors, where a playground fundraised by a Union Daisy troop stands as a reminder that girls can lead change in their own communities. Union is now home to 10 active troops, 61 Girl Scouts from Daisy through Ambassador, and 67 dedicated adult members and volunteers.
Investing in the Care of Camp Lou Henry Hoover
In November 2025, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey received a $15,000 grant from The Hyde & Watson Foundation to support critical renovations to the Caretaker House at Camp Lou Henry Hoover. This investment ensures safe, reliable on-site housing for our year-round caretaker, whose work is essential to maintaining, securing, and preparing the 340-acre camp. By strengthening this behind-the-scenes infrastructure, the grant helps protect a treasured outdoor space and keeps Camp Hoover ready for learning, exploration, and adventure year-round.
Opening Doors for Newark Girls
With support from the Victoria Foundation, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey welcomed 613 girls and 71 adult volunteers in Newark into the Girl Scout community, providing memberships, uniforms, and earned badges. This generosity removes barriers and opens doors—giving girls the chance to belong, build confidence, and discover their strengths, while empowering volunteers to guide, encourage, and help girls see what’s possible for their future.
2026 Women of Vision Awards Breakfast
Honoring Visionary Leaders & Investing in Girls
The Women of Vision Awards Breakfast—Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s signature event—brings together leaders, advocates, and supporters who believe in the power of girls. This inspiring celebration honors women and men whose leadership reflects the Girl Scout values of courage, confidence, and character.
On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, we will recognize an outstanding group of honorees whose leadership and impact are shaping communities in New Jersey and beyond. Their stories show girls what is possible when purpose meets action.
This year’s honorees are:
Support of the Women of Vision Awards Breakfast directly fuels Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s mission—expanding access to programs that build confidence, open doors, and inspire girls to lead.
Join us for a meaningful morning as we celebrate today’s leaders and help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Help Power Cookie Season:
Volunteers Needed for Mega Drops
Cookie season is one of the most exciting—and critical—times of year for Girl Scouts. From February 19–26, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey will host our annual Cookie Mega Drops, a key moment when thousands of cookie orders are distributed to troops across the council. Volunteers play an essential role in ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Volunteers help sort, load, and coordinate orders, making sure Girl Scouts receive the cookies they need to move forward with their season. Two- and four-hour shifts are available between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with snacks and lunch provided.
By volunteering at a Mega Drop, you are supporting a pivotal step in cookie season—helping Girl Scouts build entrepreneurial skills, learn responsibility, and fund experiences throughout the year.
Watch this video for more information: GSHNJ Mega Drop | Volunteer
Sign up today to volunteer for a Cookie Mega Drop and be part of the behind-the-scenes magic that makes Girl Scouts possible.
Every Girl Scout deserves the chance to discover her strengths, build confidence, and lead with courage. Your support makes that possible—fueling hands-on programs, trusted mentors, and welcoming spaces for girls across New Jersey. When you give, you’re investing in girls today and the leaders they’ll become tomorrow. Make your gift today and help ensure every girl has the support she needs to thrive.
Contact The Heartbeat at FundDevelopment@GSHNJ.org
February 06, 2026
