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'

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...

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...

On March 27, 2025, the Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) hosted The Art of Well-Being: A Vision Board Experience , a transformative...

On April 25, 2025, the Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) hosted a powerful and inspiring event at the Polsky Exchange Theater in Chicago to...

Are you a mission-driven organization looking for workspace? Join Healing to Action (HTA) as our Office Mate and play a vital role in...

Do you know anyone who would benefit from studying community organizing and community leadership from experienced Chicago organizers? Do...

Black Girls Blossoming Join our 8-week group for girls ages 12-14 that focuses on mental wellness, social connection, and coping skills...

Announcement: Coalition on Urban Girls Steering Committee Members  The Coalition on Urban Girls is a supportive alliance of agencies and...

I am excited to share my recent experience at the Public Health Summit held at the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at...

Amplify: A Night of Legacy, Leadership & Liberation in Chicago In a city known for its grit, grace, and greatness, March’s energy turned...

Big Moves for CUG: Advancing Community-Led Research for Urban Girls We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for the Coalition on...

In May 2024, we hosted a dynamic Advocacy & Policy Training session with esteemed trainers Sylvia Puente and Marlen Mendoza from the...