Scranton Girls Rock: Building a City That Believes

If you’re from Scranton, you already know:
We show up. We work hard. We lift each other.
We laugh loud, dream big, and push through.

That same energy is what built Scranton Girls Rock — a community powered by music, art, and belief.
We help girls and gender-diverse youth discover confidence, creativity, and connection — and this past summer, our very first camp proved what’s possible:

18 campers
21 volunteers
One sold-out showcase at The Ritz Theater
One city reminded what happens when we believe in each other.

Why Girls — and Why Now

For generations, boys and men have been encouraged to try everything — sports, leadership, invention, music — while girls were told to stay quiet, small, or safe.
That imbalance didn’t come from bad intentions; it came from old systems that forgot half the voices in the room.

We’re here to help rebalance.

If you’ve ever been in a room full of women, you know the difference. The laughter gets louder. The honesty deepens. The air feels lighter.
It’s not about exclusion — it’s about energy. Every space has its own rhythm, and women deserve moments where that rhythm is entirely their own.

Because something powerful happens when girls have space to create without comparison.
They take up more room. They speak louder. They start to see themselves not as background, but as center stage.
That’s how confidence is born — in rooms that feel safe enough to be loud.

That’s what Scranton Girls Rock is about: giving girls and gender-diverse youth a space to discover who they are through music, art, and community — and to know that their voices matter.

Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t value men. We absolutely do.
Scranton is full of incredible men — fathers, brothers, teachers, musicians — who cheer us on, mentor, and lead by example.
Any curious guy who wants to grow can find plenty of positive male role models right here.
Because you are the company you keep — and good company builds strong communities.

This isn’t about leaving anyone out. It’s about balance.
When girls and gender-diverse youth have safe places to thrive, our entire community gets stronger.
Men benefit. Families benefit. Scranton benefits.

We’ve come a long way thanks to the people before us who kept pushing for better — who believed kids deserved more than survival.
Now it’s our turn to carry that forward: to build systems of support that last, so every young person in Scranton grows up knowing their voice matters, their story counts, and their city believes in them.

Why Representation Matters

Our campers and mentors come from every walk of life — different races, incomes, orientations, and abilities — each with stories worth hearing.
We know creativity grows when everyone has a seat at the table.

We’re also aware that access to the arts hasn’t been equal.
So we practice healthy communication, we listen, we learn, and we make space for growth — without exhausting anyone in the process.
We don’t claim perfection; we claim participation.

Our goal isn’t to speak for people — it’s to make sure no one ever feels unseen.

Why Art and Music Matter

Think about your favorite song — the one that carried you through heartbreak, hope, or loss.
Think about the art or film that helped you feel understood.

Now imagine a world without that.

No soundtracks. No podcasts.
No stories. No creative outlets.

Art and music aren’t extras — they’re essentials. They heal, teach, and connect us.

The Americans for the Arts reports that creative organizations generate $151.7 billion in economic activity each year.
79 % of Americans say the arts strengthen local economies.
The National Endowment for the Arts shows that artistic engagement builds social connection and reduces loneliness.

That’s what we’re doing here — strengthening community from the inside out.

The $200,000 Plan: A Scranton Investment in Equality

Scranton knows what investing means. We invest in our kids, our neighbors, and our Friday-night fundraisers. We know you can’t build something real without putting something real into it.

We’re raising $200,000 to create the Scranton Girls Rock Sustainability Fund — a community-owned investment that keeps our programs thriving for the next decade and beyond.

How It Works

The fund will grow about 10 % each year through responsible, transparent investment.
Its returns — roughly $20,000 annually — will fund:
• Camp scholarships so every child can attend.
• Paid stipends for women, nonbinary, and gender-diverse artists.
• Instruments, art supplies, and performance resources.
• Mental-health and wellness programs for youth and volunteers.
Every show, merch sale, and sponsorship feeds this fund, compounding its impact until every camper can attend for free.

This isn’t a fundraiser — it’s a rebalancing act.
It says creativity, compassion, and community are just as worthy of investment as roads or schools.
When this fund grows, Scranton grows — financially, emotionally, culturally.

We’re Doing This the Scranton Way

We’re not doing it alone.
We’re doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with the people and places that make our city shine:

The VSpot • NorthEast Music Center • Matt Kester Productions • The Ritz Theater • Scranton School District • Funny Wine Girl – Jeannine Luby • Shanty Town Design • Scranton Chamber of Commerce Member • Electric City Sweets • Kevin’s T-Shirts • Goblin Alchemy Meadery • Electric City Pizza • Black Cow Creamery • Michelle Sabolchick • Local Women Musicians, Educators, and Media Professionals (roughly 30) •

These are our neighbors, friends, and partners — proof that Scranton backs its own.

More Than Music

We embrace creativity in every form — music, art, writing, business, design, and tech.
We invite women and allies across industries to pour their expertise into mentorship and leadership.

We also know creativity is prevention.
Our programs help combat poverty, substance abuse, and isolation through healthy, empowering outlets that give youth purpose, structure, and hope.

It’s not about politics or labels — it’s about giving young people a safe, affirming place to figure out who they are and who they can become.

The Power of $10

Ten bucks.
A round at the V-Spot.
A hoagie from Gerrity’s.
A couple cups of Dunkin’.

That’s all it takes to build a decade of opportunity.

Your $10 funds workshops, supplies, and mentorship — and fuels a movement that keeps our city creative, connected, and proud.
It’s not charity. It’s Scranton taking care of its own.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just for the girls on our stage.
It’s for their families, their friends, and the whole city that’s proud of them.
It’s for the fathers who want their daughters to lead,
the brothers who want their sisters to dream without limits,
and the allies who know equality builds stronger cities.

For every race, gender, and background represented in this valley — because when we lift one voice, we lift them all.

When we invest in girls, we invest in balance.
When we invest in art, we invest in humanity.
When we invest in Scranton — we all rise.

Join the Movement

Be one of the first 20,000 Scrantonians (and friends of Scranton) to give $10.
Watch what happens when a city decides to believe in its own kids, creativity, and courage.

Because when girls rock, Scranton does too.
And when Scranton believes — anything’s possible.

Scranton Girls Rock Sustainability Fund

Shape the Sound of Scranton’s Future - Every young person deserves a space to be heard