Holmdel, NJ welcomes American Heritage Girls

Holmdel, NJ – Monmouth and Middlesex County families have discovered a new program for their daughters called American Heritage Girls (AHG). AHG is a faith-based character development program for girls ages 5-18, dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.

St. Benedict School and Church will be hosting an informational meeting to learn more about AHG on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 9:00-10:00 am. The organizers of the meeting say AHG is for families with daughters who are seeking a scout-type experience. Interested parents and guardians should RSVP at StBenedictAHG@gmail.com.

Founded in 1995 in Cincinnati, Ohio, AHG has grown 30-50 percent each year since its inception in 1995 and now has more than 40,000 members.

With programming that puts an emphasis on faith, service, and fun, girls choose from more than 240 badges, participate in service projects, and are challenged by leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences. Troops are led by adult volunteers who facilitate the AHG program while encouraging girl leadership. Faith-based organizations like churches, schools and civic organizations charter AHG to achieve their ministry goals for youth.

“Now more than ever, families are seeking faith-based activities for their daughters to complement their values and instill leadership and servant hearts through service to their community,” says AHG Executive Director and Founder Patti Garibay.

AHG has received an endorsement from Dr. James Dobson, child psychologist and author. In his book, Bringing Up Girls, Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, said, “I recommend American Heritage Girls enthusiastically to parents who want their daughters involved in a traditional Christian-based program that will reinforce what they are trying to teach at home.”

AHG NJ0428 honors pediatrician, mother of 4 and champion for the dignity of all human life and the poor, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, with their troop numbers. Her feast day is April, 24. Many of the moms of the girls in this troop are working mothers and are inspired by St. Gianna's example of charity, working with her St. Vincent de Paul Society, a social justice group also present at St. Benedict, known for its service to the poor through its food pantry, virtual thrift shop and financial support of people in our community in need of assistance. Girls are encouraged to follow this example through service and will be present at the upcoming St. Benedict Carnival on Saturday, September 17 from 4-6 collecting food and money for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. High School aged girls will also be able to receive up to 15 hours of service, applicable to National Honors Society and other organizations for community service hours, within scheduled troop meetings. Meetings will be held bi-weekly on Sunday afternoons at St. Benedict Church and School.

St. Benedict Catholic Church received the honor of being recognized by Parish Catalyst as one of the top 100 Parishes in the United States. In 2015, St. Benedict launched a small group initiative entitled ChristLife™, broken into a 3 part series, asking participants to discover, perhaps re-discover for some, and universally, grow closer in their relationships to Christ. In addition to the Church, for over 53 years, St. Benedict School serves as the proud home to a current 452 K-8 students and is noted for their excellence both interpersonally and academically. The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, supported by parishioners, the school community, PTA, and Religious Education program provides much needed relief to many local residents feeling the crunch during these tough times. It truly is a natural fit for AHG.

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American Heritage Girls (AHG) is a faith-based character development program for all girls 5-18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. Founded in 1995 in Cincinnati, Ohio, AHG has grown from ten troops and 100 members to over 40,000 members across 5 countries and 49 U.S. states. Girl members participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christian values and family involvement.

Visit the AHG website at www.ahgonline.org to learn more. Visit AHG’s YouTube channel to view “LAUNCH,” a two-minute animated movie about AHG.

To request an interview with Patti Garibay, AHG Executive Director and Founder, contact Jennifer Troutman, National Communications Specialist, at news@ahgonline.org.