Community leaders and stakeholders come together to prepare for Design Labs that will help shape a stronger future for girls across Chicago. Meaningful community change begins with listening, collaboration, and the people committed to making it happen. The Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) recently brought together a dedicated group of Navigators at the Northwestern Bronzeville Center for an interactive training session in preparation for Chicago’s first Quality of Life Plan for

The Coalition on Urban Girls is collecting 1,000 voices from girls (ages 12-19) to inform Chicago's first Quality of Life Plan for Girls. With schools closed today due to extreme cold, this is a perfect time for girls to participate from home. Our MLK Day of Service campaign (extended through Presidents' Day, Feb 16) asks one question: What are your top 5 quality of life priorities? Their answers will directly shape: ✓ Communities of Practice launching in March ✓ Resource all

On January 19, 2026, the Coalition on Urban Girls is inviting Chicago to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy not just with words—but with action rooted in listening. This year’s MLK Jr. Day of Service centers on one powerful question: Are the girls well? Because the well-being of our girls tells the truth about the health of our city. Why This Question Matters Girls—especially Black and Brown girls—experience the city differently. They navigate schools, neighborhoods, p

A day of connection, reflection, and action. 💗 On 12/20, GIRLS DAY in Englewood brought together 70+ young women and girls (ages 12–18) for rest, restoration, and a powerful prioritization session rooted in their real experiences and voices. Together, we spotlighted the white paper Are the Girls Well? and pulled TOP priorities for the QLP, directly from the girls themselves, to help guide youth-centered action across the city. This is bigger than one day. By January–end 2026

This Resource Gathering brought together partners across education, health, and community services to advance Chicago’s Quality of Life Plan for girls. This work is about more than symptoms—we’re confronting structural conditions that shape safety, housing stability, mental health, and economic opportunity. Why this matters A comprehensive QLP is a strategic investment framework that recognizes: you can’t address safety without housing stability; you can’t improve education w

On September 16-17, 2025, at the 2025 Conference of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force, I kept thinking about something: we're having all these separate conversations about problems that are fundamentally connected. Our "Are the Girls Well?" data argues a clear connection: 111,591 Black girls went missing in Chicago between 2000-2021. During that same period, 13% of CPS students experienced homelessness - 53% of them girls. When I see those numbers together, I don't

The Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) hosted a successful Special Session on the "Are the Girls Well?" White Paper and Prioritization Process at GirlForward in Chicago. This event brought together stakeholders to discuss urban planning strategies addressing social determinants of girls' well-being, including education, health care, and youth development. ​ ​ Event Overview Held on Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at GirlForward (623 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654), the session f

On Friday, August 28, 2025, the Girls Opportunity Alliance (GOA) convened a group of approximately 80 stakeholders from girl serving organizations throughout the Chicago area united in a single purpose – to create a better future for girls. On this day, I was stressed. I had a few missed deadlines. And I still hadn’t scheduled the follow-up appointments my doctor advised two weeks ago. But all of that could wait. With our executive director Ayeshia Johnson on a much-need

I had the honor to present the ‘CALL to ACTION’ launch of the Sinai Urban Health Institute’s research on the mental health of middle and high school girls in Chicago. Here’s what resonated deeply with me: 1. Amplifying Voices: Nearly 900 CPS students shared their experiences, reminding us that listening is a powerful act of respect. Their stories illuminate the path forward. 2. Youth Leadership: The panel of young women was nothing short of inspirational. They are not just th

On March 27, 2025, the Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) hosted The Art of Well-Being: A Vision Board Experience, a transformative afternoon dedicated to the voices, dreams, and healing of Black and Brown girls ages 16–19 in Chicago. Held at the Shine Bright® Community Center’s Mission Discovery Center, the event created a powerful space where creativity met purpose, and vision met empowerment. A Safe Space to Be Seen and Heard From the moment participants walked in, they were g

On April 25, 2025, the Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) hosted a powerful and inspiring event at the Polsky Exchange Theater in Chicago to officially relaunch its mission and unveil a major new initiative. Titled “A Unified Path Forward: Reimagining the Well-Being of Urban Girls,” the event brought together community leaders, advocates, educators, nonprofit partners, and—most importantly—urban girls themselves to share space, insight, and hope for the future. Setting the Stage

Are you a mission-driven organization looking for workspace? Join Healing to Action (HTA) as our Office Mate and play a vital role in fostering a supportive environment for community members! Who We Are: Healing to Action (HTA) is ending gender-based violence by building the leadership and the collective power of the communities most impacted, transforming the narrative of survivors from vulnerable “victims” to powerful leaders in the movement to end gender-based violence. Fo

Do you know anyone who would benefit from studying community organizing and community leadership from experienced Chicago organizers? Do you know emerging leaders who would like to earn college credits for studying community leadership and earn a City Colleges of Chicago Community Leadership Certificate? Or even pursue an Associate's Degree in Community Leadership? If yes, please lend us a hand and forward this Chicago CLP Program Application onto community organizations and

Black Girls Blossoming Join our 8-week group for girls ages 12-14 that focuses on mental wellness, social connection, and coping skills to navigate Black girlhood in Chicago. Utilizing the Black Girls Smile, Group Coaching Curriculum, girls will experience a safe, empowering space to build their mental health literacy, foster a sense of belonging, and actively use tools and strategies to support their emotional well-being. Facilitator: Mariah Price, M.S. In-person 5022 S. St

Announcement: Coalition on Urban Girls Steering Committee Members The Coalition on Urban Girls is a supportive alliance of agencies and organizations committed to uplifting girls throughout the Chicagoland area. Our Steering Committee, made up of 18 dedicated members from diverse organizations and public agencies, serves as the governing body to guide our collective efforts. We are proud to share that Jamila Trimuel from Ladies of Virtue has taken on the role of Chair, and D

I am excited to share my recent experience at the Public Health Summit held at the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern University on April 2. The event brought together dedicated experts and collaborators focused on advancing public health, even amid the chaos we often face. Together, we embody the "invisible force" that keeps our communities healthy. During the summit, I had the privilege of presenting a poster on our forthcoming white paper, “Are the Gi

Amplify: A Night of Legacy, Leadership & Liberation in Chicago In a city known for its grit, grace, and greatness, March’s energy turned all the way up as women from every corner of Chicago gathered to celebrate Women’s History Month—not just with applause, but with purpose. Held at a vibrant, sold-out event co-keynoted by community powerhouse Sherida Morrison and Mayor Brandon Johnson, the evening pulsed with history, hope, and a serious reminder: our voices are our power—an

Big Moves for CUG: Advancing Community-Led Research for Urban Girls We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for the Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG)! CUG has been awarded the 2024 ARCC Research Capacity Building Seed Grant by Northwestern University’s Alliance for Research with Chicagoland Communities (ARCC)! This exciting opportunity marks a powerful step forward in our mission to uplift and amplify the voices of urban girls through community-rooted research, innovation,

In May 2024, we hosted a dynamic Advocacy & Policy Training session with esteemed trainers Sylvia Puente and Marlen Mendoza from the Latino Policy Forum. This event was designed to equip girls-serving organizations with the tools necessary for effective advocacy while adhering to the legal requirements of their 501(c)(3) status. Key Highlights: Understanding 501(c)(3) Status and Advocacy: Participants gained clarity on the legal restrictions and allowances for engaging in adv