Who We Are

Working with and on behalf of girls for 160 years has given us unparalleled knowledge and expertise. 

Girls Inc. of Winter Haven has a rich history of supporting local girls through generations of change.

Originally founded as the Winter Haven Girls Club in 1948 by community leader Virginia Snively, the organization quickly became a trusted resource for girls in the area. In the following decades, additional clubs were established in Wahneta (mid-1960s) and LaVilla (1970) to expand local access to youth programs.

In 1973, the organization opened the Havendale Center, which became the central location for services. After a fire destroyed the building, it was rebuilt and renamed the Snively-Thompson Center in 1980. By the mid-1980s, services from both the Wahneta and LaVilla clubs were consolidated into this facility.

In 1990, the organization officially became known as Girls Incorporated of Winter Haven, joining the national Girls Inc. network. Today, we continue to provide research-backed programs and mentorship to help girls grow up healthy, educated, and prepared for the future.