Gold Award Spotlight: Bringing Awareness to Crisis Boarding Program & Resources
Congratulations to Justina, a Girl Scout Ambassador in Troop 15, on earning the Girl Scout Gold Award! Justina’s inspiring Take Action project focused on helping domestic violence victims who want to keep their pets safe while finding shelter for themselves. For people in crisis, finding a safe place for their pet can often be the difference between staying in an abusive environment or making plans to evacuate.
A Girl Scout community service project addresses an immediate need in the community by providing short-term help; a Girl Scout Take Action project, like Justina’s, aims to tackle the root cause of a problem and create lasting change.
“The root cause of my issue stemmed from toxic, abusive relationships where one partner needed to remove themselves, their children, and their pets from their situation and had nowhere to go,” Justina said. “To date, our local Chesapeake Humane Society has already received 295 calls for 485 animals this year, and these numbers are still increasing, from those who were seeking safe shelter for their pets while they also tried to locate safe housing for themselves. It was their hope to be reunited with their pets after securing pet-friendly housing or resolving their crisis.”
This go-getter Girl Scout addressed the issue in several phases in partnership with the Chesapeake Humane Society. She organized a brochure listing animal-friendly housing in the Chesapeake area, created a food pantry, and advocated for awareness around the issue.
Justina shared, “My goals for my Gold Award project included educating the community and first responders on what the Crisis Boarding Program is, compiling a list and share details on pet-friendly housing options in the region, and building food pantries for victims that need a secure food source. Through my Gold Award project, I hoped to reach as many people as possible within my community. I wanted to teach people about what the Crisis Boarding program is and what resources it offers. I also wanted victims and anyone in need to know where they could secure food for themselves and pet friendly housing. I reached many different organizations including veterinarian offices, police departments, fire departments, local Girl Scouts and troop leaders, and my church parish. I also shared my project with the community at the [Chesapeake] Town Hall meeting and was interviewed on 'peake Life, which was broadcast on our local channels and can also be found on Chesapeake Television on YouTube.”
She hopes to provide an ongoing network of safety nets for community members in crisis, one challenge at a time. Her project includes a plan to continue its impact beyond her initial involvement.
“My Gold Award is sustained beyond my involvement by the Chesapeake Humane Society. They have agreed to update the housing booklets I created and to keep printing them as needed. The installed food pantries will remain on-site at both locations where the Humane Society has agreed to keep them stocked with food.”
Way to go, Justina!
Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available 24/7/365. Call 1-800-799-SAFE or chat with a professional for free at thehotline.org.
4/1/2025: Justina was named Scout of the Year by VFW Post 2894.
