CHARTER ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT

ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

This issue, AHG is excited to shine a light on St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, CO, home to CO2000. Charter Representative Deacon Mike McGrady, together with Troop Coordinator Wendy Morales and Vice Coordinator Cheryl Higgins, reflect on 14 years of chartering an AHG Troop at their parish and the significant impact AHG has had on their faith community. CO2000 was awarded the Sapphire Level National Honor Troop Award by AHG, Inc., indicating the Troop’s healthy, well-balanced, and exemplary status.

ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL FORCE IN THE WELL-BEING OF AN AHG TROOP IS THE CHARTER ORGANIZATION.

Every Troop is owned by a Charter Organization, which is typically a church, school, or similarly-aligned Christian organization. Without the support of their Charter Organization, an AHG Troop would not exist. When the Charter Organization and Charter Representative are involved beyond simply providing meeting space, the AHG Ministry can have an incredible impact on the outreach of the organization.

WHY DID YOUR CHURCH DECIDE TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

Prior to 2009, St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church was a relatively young parish and hosted a Boy Scout Troop but had few opportunities for girls or younger boys. The pastor at that time asked some families who had kids in scouts to start a Troop at St. Gabriel. At that time, a lot of Catholic and other Christian churches were divesting from Girl Scouts— the pastor preferred AHG. Seven families worked with the pastor and the Knights of Columbus to start an AHG Troop in September of 2009. More recently, St. Gabriel welcomed Trail Life USA Troop CO-1230, offering families a Christ-centered scout-type experience for both girls and boys.

HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR CHURCH HAD AN AHG TROOP?

Officially founded on September 15, 2009—CO2000 has been building women of integrity for 14 years!

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN GROWTH IN YOUR YOUTH/FAMILY/WOMEN’S MINISTRY PROGRAMMING SINCE CHARTERING AN AHG TROOP?

Since the founding of CO2000, the Troop has ranged in size from 20 to 75 Girl Members and has multiplied into at least two new Troops. Many times, over the years, a parent has approached the ministry team to express thanks for the opportunities their girls have been provided, through AHG: life skills (through badgework), service, leadership, and outdoor opportunities—all in an environment they were confident was Christ-centered and growing the girls. Our girls have also had opportunities they might not otherwise have had: teaching, public speaking, special Father-Daughter and Mother-Daughter events, backpacking, Troop and Multi-Troop day camp, and much more! As a Christ-centered program we strive to remind each other of God’s Providence, His love through challenges, and calling on the power of prayer for strength. It has been a humbling and inspiring experience to walk with the girls and their families, as they grow and mature from Pathfinder to Patriot, and beyond!

HOW ELSE HAS AHG AFFECTED YOUR ORGANIZATION’S MINISTRY EFFORTS?

Approximately half of our girls are members of our charter, St. Gabriel the Archangel, while the other half are members of other Christian churches. It has been a blessing to have many Christian denominations represented in our Troop and to give witness to the idea that we are more alike than different. St. Gabriel is dedicated to serving the surrounding community—Catholic and otherwise—and our girls also live out that dedication, especially in the ecumenism of our service projects through organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion International, Life Network, Mercy’s Gate Food Pantry, Catholic Charities, and many others. In the last 10 years, St. Gabriel has expanded the parish campus, began hosting an annual community festival, built a classical school (Pre-K through 8th Grade), and started a Trail Life USA Troop. St. Gabriel is a highly active community and AHG Troop CO2000 is a meaningful part of that!

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER POTENTIAL CHARTER ORGANIZATIONS LOOKING TO CHARTER AN AHG TROOP?

If you have interest from families and girls, don’t wait! Help is “an ask” away through AHG, Inc. and other local Troops. You won’t regret the adventures and growth your girls will experience!

Charter Organizations serve a crucial role in the AHG Ministry, as they own and operate AHG Troops. Though volunteers implement the AHG Program, the Charter Organization is able to customize their AHG Troop to best accomplish their ministry goals. For more information on the chartering process, americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations/