On November 6, 2025, we celebrated something truly special: the grand opening of the Free to Be Me Wellness Center, presented by Girls Inc. and Free People at the Bok Building. The evening unfolded on the building’s beautiful rooftop, where the city skyline glowed in the distance. The air was filled with laughter and conversation as our participants, staff, board members, and community partners mingled beneath the lights, taking in the view and the magnitude of what we’ve built together.

Inside, the new Wellness Center felt like a breath of fresh air — open and welcoming, filled with natural light that pours through tall windows to highlight the room’s 14-foot ceilings, touches of greenery, and warm lighting that softens every corner. Outfitted with stylish, thoughtfully chosen pieces and cozy furnishings, the center was designed to feel safe, soothing, and alive. It’s a space that welcomes not just movement but stillness — a place where girls can pause, stretch, breathe, and simply be. Located on the second floor of the historic Bok Building in South Philadelphia, the center offers a peaceful retreat within the city.

The idea for the Wellness Center began in January 2024, when Free People expressed a desire to sponsor something lasting for Girls Inc. and meet the needs of the girls we serve — a space that could nurture both mind and body. Through months of collaboration, design planning, and feedback sessions, that vision evolved into a full wellness hub inside the Bok Building. The Girls Inc. team worked strategically to secure a spacious room that embodied calm and connection, transforming the concept into a reality shaped by the voices of our girls and families, whose input guided everything from the atmosphere to the programming that will take place there.

This milestone was made possible through the incredible generosity and long-standing partnership of Free People, whose belief in the power of holistic well-being aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Our collaboration began in 2016, when the partnership was first introduced by Natasha Johnson, then Deputy Director at Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Sourthern New Jersey, and Julie Verdugo, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Free People. Since then, the relationship has grown into one of our most meaningful partnerships. From volunteer days and internship mentoring to their recognition at our 2024 Strong, Smart, Bold Gala, Free People’s dedication to empowering girls has never wavered. Together, we stand at the forefront of a shared vision—one that culminates in the opening of the Free to Be Me Wellness Center at Girls Inc.

This project was a true labor of love, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible. From Free People’s leadership team — including Sheila Harrington, Julie Verdugo, and Morgan Bordlemay — to our own leaders past and present, whose guidance helped move this project from idea to completion. A special shout-out goes to our Partnership Manager Lillian Knoerzer, who coordinated and managed the execution of the project from start to finish with extraordinary care and attention to detail. We also want to recognize Kim Colyar from Gensler, who led our joint visioning session and helped both teams align on shared goals for the center. And most importantly, we thank the community we serve — your creativity, honesty, and enthusiasm brought this vision to life.

Our Wellness Center is more than a room; it’s a reflection of our shared belief that empowerment begins within. With every partnership and every program, we continue to expand what’s possible for girls in our region. We are filled with pride and gratitude as we see this dream come to life — a setting where every girl can find her calm, strengthen her confidence, and continue becoming the strong, smart, and bold leader she was meant to be.

This is just the beginning. We’re excited to see how this space grows as more girls, families, and community partners bring it to life.

Join the Movement

If you’re inspired by this space and what it represents, we invite you to get involved by volunteering, partnering with us, or hosting a wellness session for our participants and their families. Together, we can continue creating spaces that uplift, empower, and remind every girl that she already has everything she needs to thrive.