Girls voices matter in Chicago and abroad

While our dance studios normally hold 60 girls, during the summer we squeeze in another 35 to accommodate south side girls, ages 3 to 18, who really love acting, dancing and singing. Over seven weeks this year, our youth improved their dance, acting and social skills, performed for seniors at two neighboring senior centers and for children at three local day care centers.

Justice, 15, has been a part of our programs for three years. She says she keeps coming back because, “It’s a feeling of home. Everyone is open-minded and willing to try new things. I get to make up poems, say them in front of people and getting their feedback. I also like working hard on a dance and then hearing the audience go crazy when I finish a difficult routine. That’s really awesome.”

“We are like the family I wish I had in real life,” remarked 15 year old Emanie. “When I get on stage, I become a new person. I’m really happy because I love performing and being able to showcase what I worked on every day during rehearsal.”

This is 14 year old Symone fourth year in the Youth Performance Camp. “I love being here. The staff and girls make it feel like a family I know I’m growing as a dancer and now, I’m starting to find my skill as an actress. I couldn’t imagine a summer without Global Girls.”

Symone traveled with us to Grenada in 2016. She still communicates with several of the girls we worked with during our arts exchange. Mrs. Penn will return to Grenada in November to finalize plans for at least eight girls to visit Chicago in March 2018.

Along with six other talented Global Girls performers, Symone will travel to East St. Louis and Bellville, Illinois to work with other girls teaching them to use their voices as they advocate for themselves and tell their stories. The team will also perform at several venues. One of the partners on the project is Lindenwood University-Belleville.

As our summer program winds down, the staff is taking a breather from a long, but eventful and fulfilling summer. We sincerely appreciate all the volunteers, partner businesses, sponsors and individual donors who continue to step forward and help us do what we do best – empower girls through the arts to realize their dreams and develop their personal best. We’ll resume the work in September with renewed passion, vigor and commitment.