A Girl Scout Volunteer on Transforming Girls' Lives

Sonia Picazo, Girl Scout Volunteer

Although Sonia Picazo has been a Girl Scout troop leader for just a few months, she's already making waves with girls in her community.

Earlier this year, when several sugar refinery employees were injured in an explosion in Pent Wentworth, Texas, Sonia, along with other volunteers with the Girl Scout Council of Savannah, Georgia, went into action.

"It was devastating to see so many people hurt, and I wanted to help in some way. There is a large Mexican population where I live, and many people don't speak English very well, so we helped them file applications for food and shelter. And I really wanted to reach out to the children of the parents who lost jobs," Sonia said.

Sonia did just that.

As she helped the refinery employees with paperwork and translating documents from English to Spanish, Sonia would also talk about her work with the Girl Scouts and how the experience could benefit the daughters of those she was helping. Her passion and belief in the Girl Scout program resonated with them, and she convinced many parents to give Girl Scouting a try.

"I realized that many of the girls I came into contact with in my community had low self-esteem and were lacking a real sense of security. I saw how hard many of their parents worked, and it was important that I gave the girls my time."

"Time" was that missing link for many of the girls whose parents were forced to work long hours just to make ends meet. But time was something that Sonia was willing to give, despite her own hectic schedule running a furniture rental business with her husband, tutoring preschool children, volunteering in a church, coaching a soccer league, and being a mother of two.

"Some of the girls in my community were having children at ages 12 and 13. They had no direction. They were alone for extended periods of time. No one was there to tell these girls what was right or wrong, because no one was there. I felt like it was my duty to give what I could."

Sonia adds, "I know I can help these girls, and I'm starting to see that they trust me. Many of them have told me that I'm their angel."

While Sonia was never involved in Girl Scouting growing up, she is willing to tell everyone and anyone who will listen about the amazing benefits it offers girls, volunteers, and even parents.

"I remember one father who was adamant that his daughter not join Girl Scouts. He asked me, 'What is she going to do but sell cookies all day? All they want is money,'" Sonia shared.

Sonia's determination to boast of the rewards and refute the myths in Girl Scouting paid off when both dad and daughter made a 180-degree turn:

"That dad came back to me recently and apologized,'" Sonia said. "He had a change of heart when he saw the change in his daughter. She used to be so quiet when she first joined Girl Scouting—and now we can't get her to stop talking. She is so willing to help other people now, especially her friends in school who are struggling academically. She's just a different person now; she's really come alive."

And, as Sonia sees it, the credit goes to Girl Scouting. "In the mobile home community where I live, it was hard seeing so many girls unsure of themselves and unhappy with their home lives. They felt ignored by their communities. With Girl Scouts, the girls now have their own activities to keep them busy. Their outlook on the world is changing from dismal to positive."

Sonia is just one of the many volunteers carrying out the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character—one small step at a time.

And, if you ask her, the rewards in Girl Scouting aren't just for girls; others certainly reap the benefits!

"The girls are feeling better about their lives. Parents are connecting better to their children. And, me? I'm just so happy to be able to do my part."

Find out more information about volunteering with the Girl Scouts.