GirlGround | Empowering & Promoting Mental Health

 Thanks for taking time

to learn more about us

and support our vision.   

(Para contenido en ESP: girlground.net)

You know adolescence is a challenge.  Sometimes it’s fun.  Other times… not so much.  It’s been proven that this period of transition leads girls to uncertainty and stress.  Further, more than 60 million adolescent girls (twice as many girls as boys) suffer mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.  Most of these conditions go undetected and untreated.   

Girls are struggling to figure out their path towards THE FUTURE, how to brake the ice when meeting new people, how to be confident under pressure, how to deal with others and with their own emotions.  Parents are trying their best to raise confident, healthy and happy daughters. 

Our mission is to empower girls and young women to become life savvy and mentally healthy adults by creating a virtual safe haven where they can find answers, guidance and life skills training.  With the help of young professionals and experts, we are developing reliable and relatable multimedia content, workshops and activities for our girls. 

GirlGround comes before problems even arrive. One of our goals is to help girls live well-balanced lives and prevent future mental health conditions. We know we can’t change life’s circumstances for all girls, but through our mobile platform, we can help girls navigate them, wherever and whenever they need.    

NOTE: Because of the huge lack of this type of information and tools for Hispanic girls, we are beginning with content in Spanish but will add other languages in the future.   

 We have a team of young professionals, experts, videographers, advisors and, of course, friends and family, who are contributing to our platform’s development.  We are a dedicated bunch, committed to empowering others, especially girls and youth.   

We, the co-founders, have been friends since high school and wanted to start a business together since college.  Even then, we knew one thing: our business would empower young women and lead them to achieving beauty that comes from the blend of a healthy body, mind and soul.    

With more than seven years of professional and academic background in business administration, Camila is an entrepreneur and youth leader.  She has served as a financial analyst, digital communications manager, and startup scouter.  While pursuing a Master’s in Management in Switzerland, she worked as a research assistant, helping design and promote a new Digital Fashion Communication program.  Throughout her youth and young adulthood, Camila has worked with multiple nonprofits, developing and directing workshops and programs for girls.  Camila’s biggest passions are playing the guitar, learning languages, and cooking (and eating, of course!). 

Connect with Camila on Linkedin here.

Shalmarie Arroyo is an award-winning communications professional, advocate and entrepreneur.  With more than seven years of combined experience in sales, management and communications, she has contributed to the growth and development of private, governmental and nonprofit organizations.  Most recently, she started producing and conducting Realidad Desconocida- a radio show on the topic of disability.  While pursuing her MS in Public Relations at Boston University, she collaborated with ARCK and earlier with FundaciónManolo.net, nonprofits which empower children through alternatives in their education curriculum.  For 13 years, Shalmarie has been an active member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), where she has volunteered, served as speaker and developed multiple workshops and activities.  Currently, she was elected as Secretary for the NFB of Puerto Rico.  On her free time, Shalmarie loves dancing, going on adventures, reading and spending time with her family.   

Connect with Shalmarie on Linkedin here. 

Camila and Shalmarie not only experienced adolescence as girls not so long ago, they also lived through challenges which led them to deal with mental health conditions.  They know from research and experience that girls need to develop better emotional, coping, and life skills.  They understand that even under the best circumstances, there are important life skills and knowledge girls must gain.  And, even with the best families, girls need a safe non-parental hub of information where they can find reliable and relatable answers and support. 

To donate… 

1. Visit GirlGround IFW homepage.

2. Press the yellow “fund it”. 

3. Select the reward you want and contribution level.   

4. Scroll down and press the yellow “submit”. 

5. “Log in” or press click on “guest checkout”.   

6. Fill out required information. 

7. Go to “PayPal checkout”   (even if you don’t have a PayPal account).   

8. “If you don’t have a PayPal account, click on “Pay with credit or debit card.”  

9. Finish the process.  

Having issues or just want to chat?  Contact us at [email protected] or call (787)402-5502. 

Want to donate cash or through other methods?  Contact us or donate through ATH Movil at (787)-402-5502 or through Venmo at @CamilaPortela12.   

Happy holidays and many blessings, 

Shalmarie and Camila  

Co-founders of GirlGround