Girl Leadership Design Lab Application

CHICAGO GIRLS:

THE FUTURE IS YOURS TO DESIGN.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 16, 2026 AT 11:59 PM.

Chicago girls have already told us what needs to change. Now it’s time for girls to help design what comes next.

The Coalition on Urban Girls (CUG) is selecting girls ages 13–19 from across Chicago to join the Girl Leadership Design Lab and help shape Chicago’s first Quality of Life Plan for Girls.

This isn’t a program where adults decide what girls need and ask you to agree. You’ll have real decision-making power. Girl Leadership Design Lab members will bring their experiences, ideas, creativity, and perspectives to help shape the direction of the Plan and challenge, strengthen, and confirm recommendations coming from the other Quality of Life Design Labs.

When?

Dates: November 7, November 14, December 5, December 12

Time: 12 PM - 3:30 PM

Location: DAYSTAR ACADEMY, 1550 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605

You don’t need a leadership title to lead.

You don’t have to be on student council, belong to a girls’ program, or have previous leadership experience to apply. We’re looking for girls with different experiences, neighborhoods, schools, identities, interests, and perspectives who care about making Chicago better for girls.

Your experience matters. Your perspective matters. And there is no one “right” kind of girl we’re looking for.

What will we do?

Together, Girl Leadership Design Lab members will:

Explore what Chicago girls have told us about their lives, strengths, needs, and priorities
Use fun, hands-on human-centered design activities to turn ideas into possibilities and recommendations
Define what girl leadership and girl power should look like within the Quality of Life Plan
Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and tell adults when we’re getting it wrong or missing something
Review ideas from the other Design Labs and help determine what should move forward
Connect with girls from across Chicago and build new relationships
Help create something that can influence how Chicago supports and invests in girls for years to come

What do I receive?

Your time and leadership have value. Girls selected for the Lab will receive:

$100 for each Design Lab session attended, along with meals and snacks, leadership and human-centered design experience, connections with girls and leaders across Chicago, and recognition for your contribution to Chicago’s first Quality of Life Plan for Girls.

Who should apply?

If you are a Chicago girl between the ages of 13 and 19, we want to hear from you.

We are intentionally building a Lab that reflects girls from across the city—not simply selecting applications in the order they arrive. You do not have to be connected to CUG or any organization to apply.

Ready to help design what’s next?

The application is short, and there are no perfect answers. We want to hear from you and not what you think adults want you to say.

Before you start: Answer in your own words. We’re interested in your experiences, ideas, and perspective, not how polished your answers sound. Take your time and be yourself.

First & Last Name

What name would you like us to call you?

Age

What grade are you currently in?

What school do you currently attend?

What is your home ZIP code?

What is the best email address to reach you?

What is the best phone number to reach you?

Are you currently participating in any girls programs, after-school programs, clubs, sports, youth groups, leadership programs, or other organized activities?

Yes

Not right now, but I have in the past.

If Yes: Please tell us the name of the program(s), club(s), team(s), or activity(ies).

This is not a requirement for participating in the Girl Leadership Lab. We want girls who are involved in programs AND girls who are not.

Why do you think you would be a good representative for girls in Chicago?

You do not have to have a leadership title. Think about your experiences, perspective, relationships with other girls, neighborhood, school, family, interests, or the things you care about. programs AND girls who are not.

What experiences or voices of girls do you feel you can help bring into the Girl Leadership Lab? Think about girls’ opportunities, needs, challenges, strengths, successes, or everyday experiences.

What is one thing you would like adults and decision-makers in Chicago to better understand about girls?

Is there anything else about your identity, culture, community, or lived experience that you would like us to know?

Are you currently available to attend ALL of these sessions?

Attendance is required. Because this is a paid leadership position, participants must attend all required sessions to receive the full participation payment.

Dates: November 7, November 14, December 5, December 12

Time: 12 PM - 3:30 PM

Location: DAYSTAR ACADEMY, 1550 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605

Are you currently available to attend ALL of these sessions?

Yes

I'm not sure yet.

How do you expect to get to Girl Leadership Design Lab sessions?

Public transportation / CTA

Uber / Lyft or another rideshare service

A personal ride from a parent, relative, friend, mentor, or another trusted adult

I will drive myself

I don't know yet

I may need assistance with transportation

Other

Is there anything CUG should know that could make transportation to the sessions easier for you?

Are your parent(s) or guardian(s) aware that you are applying to participate in the CUG Girl Leadership Lab?

Yes

I am 18 or older

If you are under age 18, please provide the name of a parent or legal guardian.

Parent/Guardian Email Address

Parent/Guardian Phone Number

If you are selected and are under age 18, CUG will require permission from a parent or legal guardian before you can participate.

Do you currently have parenting or caregiving responsibilities?

Yes, I am a parent.

Yes, I regularly help care for a sibling or another child.

Yes, I have other significant caregiving responsibilities.

Prefer not to answer