Girls voices matter in Chicago and abroad

In preparation for our 20^th Anniversary in January 2020, we’ve begun a long-term evaluation study and hope to get responses from 200 girls who have participated in our programs. So far, 105 girls have responded to the survey. Here are a few of the responses to the question, “How has Global Girls impacted you?”

• GG has changed me into a more focused, more creative, more assertive, more passionate, less needy human. GG shrank my social works and made me let go of people who were not focused on my principles.

• GG has transformed me into being a confident and outspoken person. And to never let anyone take advantage of you and to be impeccable with my words and to enjoy the moments that are present.

• GG has changed me by I have a whole new mindset. I am not the same person I came in as. I look at things differently. Not timid or scared.

• GG helped me to accept my authentic self. I love certain thinks and it is ok to love. Love of self.

• GG has change me in many ways. Through (?), handwork and passion. It has shaped me into the woman I am today. I’m just happy and grateful. It has made me very grateful for the small things. It has shifted my thinking which help me in my everyday life. It taught me how to dream to truly be authentic.

• Assertive. Think on feet, it can be done. Young people are important. Travel matters. Find vocabulary for what you want to say. Being creative. Yes/& thinking- take what is here and adopt it. At GG young people’s voices matter -counter cultural to the dominate culture- safe place and being a safe person matters- not one way to be Black and that being Black is not sufficient (in the dominate culture) there is not one way to be Black. Community can be chosen, and memories are important. Punctuality is a respect for the time of others You are responsible for more than yourself. Being published taught me that I can do things that are unexpected, and it shapes my goals in life.

• GG brought me out of my shell, taught me how to be a young woman, exposed me to many things, helped me to grow into a mature, loving, problem solving young woman. Embrace my talents and be around high vibe people. Be myself and speak for myself.

• Global Girls has change me by teaching me how to be openminded to other people and cultures and they have made me realize I don’t want to be small minded. I want to always step outside my comfort zone. I used to hang around the big dogs and started to alter myself. Started changing me. At GG I made friends who can make you laugh for days. I realized that sometimes that is your reality only because you think it is- I want to go higher and I don’t want to be small minded. I have to learn about other cultures and be more out-going. The more friends I made the more I came out of my shell.

• Speak for myself. Be myself. Hold my own. Started to get in trouble, but at GG the mentors/teachers will sit you down and show you how you both have a responsibly in the conflict. I started to be more mature. Embrace my talent in writing and singing.

Here are a few additional highlights from our fall program.               

22 girls and 6 adults went on our annual Camp Duncan retreat at the end of October to YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside, IL The girls enjoyed boating, archery, candle-making, wall climbing, team challenges roasting marshmallows for s’mores and having fun just being girls. This was a cell phone free weekend and not one girl complained. Our girls learn dance, acting and social/emotional skills five days a week after school and two Saturdays each month at our Global Girls studio. While all participants get the opportunity to perform in community events and in our quarterly showcases.

32 youth and adults participated in the “Arts in the Dark” parade October 19 and 26 modeled, danced and sang in our annual Fashion and Talent Showcase at our partner organization, Calvary Baptist Church on 83^rd and Jeffery. Parents and community members enjoyed seeing them celebrating themselves and their talents. Those girls who excel in their training join in the youth company of the Global Girls Theatre Collaborative. We are so very proud of six girls who performed at a National Youth Summit in Austin, Texas November 2nd. There were groups from New York, Boston, California, Austin and Florida who also performed. Global Girls was selected as the BEST of all groups by the event organizer and other adults and youth.

We have partnerships with the 4th district police department (speaker at our girls conference), Atlas Center (performances and ticket sales), UIC Blue Demons basketball (3 free basketball games and transportation for up to 35 youth/adults) and Eastern Illinois University (trips for our girls and conference support).

Links:

• Girls headed to Austin for the big show!