CUG Special Session Recap: Advancing Girls' Well-Being in Urban Chicago

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 focused on reviewing white paper data and developing a community practice plan for girls' quality of life. Key topics included coalition insights on urban challenges and collaborative solutions for policy impact.

Key Discussion Points

• Analysis of the "Are the Girls Well?" white paper data on girls' urban experiences.

  
  

• Prioritization process for actionable plans in education, health, and wellness.

  
  

• Role of CPS, student health coordinators, Chicago Park District, and community partners.

  
  

Participants and Impact

Attendees included health system providers, policymakers, youth workers, and community leaders invited to co-create gender-informed solutions. The session fostered collaboration toward a citywide Quality of Life Plan, building on CUG's efforts to support refugee and immigrant girls through partners like GirlForward. Outcomes emphasized intersectional approaches to segregation, childcare, employment, and health equity in Chicago.