All too often, the number of “likes” received on Instagram is what determines a teen’s self-worth. It’s no wonder then, that 38% of young girls in the U.S. today have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Patti Garibay, founder of American Heritage Girls (AHG), a Christian scout-type leadership development program, urges parents to prioritize their Daughters’ faith formation ahead of academics or athletics. She cites research from George Barna (The Barna Group), showing that when a child participates in faith-centered activities such as AHG in addition to regularly attending church, they are 75% more likely to carry their Christian faith into adulthood.
Helping Our Girls Defeat Fear and Anxiety
About Our Guest(s)
Patti Garibay
Patti Garibay is the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls, a national service organization dedicated to character development. In 1995, Patti was horrified by the evolving secular ideology of the Girl Scouts, and became inspired to create a Christ-centered alternative scouting program. Today, American Heritage Girls is in all 50 states with 52,000 members. Patti was a stay-at-home mom and raised her kids while also volunteering at her church, school and daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She is considered a thought leader on “all things girl,” and has appeared on radio and TV to promote American Heritage Girls and its values. Garibay was named a member of the American Family Association’s “40 Faithful” in 2017, and was selected as a Woman of Excellence in 2005 and a Woman of Influence in 2017. Patti and her husband, Pat, have four married children and nine grandchildren. They reside in Cincinnati, Ohio. Patti and her siblings were raised by a disabled father who lived with Multiple Sclerosis for 40 years. His encouraging attitude of “Why curse the darkness when you can light a candle?” played a role in the founding of American Heritage Girls, and also her book, Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light A Candle?
