GirlForward

History:

GirlForward was created in 2011 by Blair Brettschneider, in Chicago, Illinois. Brettschneider was inspired to create this organization after helping a girl named Domi, through another organization called RefugeeOne. She began to informally tutor Domi. With $2000 gift from her grandparents, she launched a support group for refugee teens. Soon after, she created GirlForward. She created GirlForward after seeing girls like Domi struggle to adapt to American life after fleeing from war-torn countries. The organization is dedicated to empowering refugee girls who have resettled in Chicago. The organization provides a three part mentoring program that provides English education, financial literacy and opportunities to meet friends, mentors, tutors, and role models in the community. The organization depends on grants and volunteers from the Chicago area. GirlForward mentors these young refugees with helping them adapt to their new surroundings, and teaching them the skills they need to be successful, independent young women, and productive members of society. All of the girls are in the country legally, and them and their families came through the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Blair Brettschneider graduated from University of Miami in 2009 and has been passionate about helping refugees since highschool, where she was part of the SaveDarfur movement. After moving from Cinncinatti to Chicago, she got involved with RefugeeOne, where she met 'GirlForward Zero', or Domi, the girl who eventually inspired her to create GirlForward. Domi would arrive late, and leave early as she had to cook dinner for her siblings. Brettschneider eventually started tutoring her at Domi's own home, even using her own money to travel there, and take the girl on trips to museums and restaurants. Brettschneider has a hands on approach and will travel to the families homes to describe the organization to the family. The headquarters are colorful, and fun, and a place the girls can come and relax and feel safe.

In 2013, Ashley Marine, a graduate from Xavier University and a masters from the University of Chicago, where after graduation she met Brettschneider, and the two of them created what GirlForward is today.

The organization today serves about 200 girls a year. The organization also has 7 people in their staff and two locations. Their headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and a location in Austin, Texas, that opened in 2016. They are looking to open up a third location in the future.

Events:

Every year, GirlForward organizes a fundraiser event called Girl Jam where girls share their life stories to an audience. The money raised, mainly from foundations and individuals, go toward budget programs and transportation. During the Summer of 2015, $ 6,000 were spent toward girls's transportation fees to Rogers Park who can't afford. The Summer camp offers classes and a variety of field trips where girls make new friends while improving English and building their confidence. Spektral Quartet raised $ 4,150 for GirlForward for improving girls refugee programs and opportunities through Feldman Forward Initiative. Spektral Quartet created a challenge to raise money for GirlForward at Morton Feldman’s Quartet No. 2 premiere in Chicago in March, 2017 due to community's recommendation. The challenge was possible from any concertgoer who attended the entire event where a donation was done in GirlForward's favor. GirlForward is partnering with Peterson Garden Project for the Feasts of Resistance project where refugee girls cook dishes representing their culture and the struggle of oppression. The Feasts of Resistance project features cooking classes, $75 each, where girls are helping with teaching process. GirlForward partnered with two organizations, Color Squad and Creative Action, and created a 240 feet long mural in East Austin, Texas after collecting signatures for approval from neighbors. The mural celebrates the beauty of diversity with designs that illustrates multiculturalism to encourage love and unity between cultures.

Services/What It Does:

Blair Brettschneider organization serves refugees girls in order to help their integration into the states much easier. The creation of this program allows fellow girl refugees to have a network to share their experience with each other. This program gives them access to mentor-ship,educational programs, leadership opportunities, and planned actives.  These planned activities are centered around what GirlsForward call the four W's which are Wallet (money management), Wellness (health and hygiene), World (cross-cultural education) and Wisdom (school life). The organization believes in creating a community that serves as a resource and empowers girls to be strong, confident, and independent.The activities consist of studying English,math, computer skills, exploring museums, learning about different cultures, health/hygiene instruction, budgeting for future trips, dancing music or singing. They also offers Camp GirlForward and the safe space project that allow the girls to explore their identity. The non profit goal is to help them graduate college and currently hold 100% high school graduation rate which has been reported by Ashley Marine, the director of engagement at GirlsForward.

Awards:

AWARDS

Title of Award	Publication	Year
Creator Award, Changing the World	WeWork	2017
20 In Their 20's	Craine's Chicago Business	2017
Best Chicago Charities	Thrillest	2017
30 Under 30	Forbes	2017
Best Charities in Chicago	Chicago Magazine	2015
CNN Hero	CNN	2013