Annual Appeal 2022
Meet Grace
She wants to tell you about the happiest day of her life. The day she heard five words that changed her life forever.
“I was born in Burundi, but I did not stay for too long. Soon after, my family and I moved to the refugee camp. It was very difficult, and we waited a long time. And then one day, some people came looking for us at our house. They told us these words: you are moving to America. I was so excited that I could not sleep.”
“It was a very happy day, but it was also one of the scariest days of my life. I wanted to share the good news with my friends, but I could not tell them anything because we worried our lives were in danger. So we had no choice but to keep the good news to ourselves. On the happiest day of my life, I stayed home, packed my things, and said goodbye to the life I knew. In October 2019, we moved to America.”
Grace and her family were forced to flee their home in search of safety, leaving everything behind, and were living in a refugee camp near Burundi. It was a difficult time because they were stuck, not able to return home but not able to build a new one yet. They waited many years until their application for resettlement to the U.S. was approved.
Can you imagine how scared Grace must have felt when she was forced to leave behind everything she had ever known? When Grace came to the U.S., she began searching for what she had to leave behind: Connection. That’s where GirlForward stepped in. Grace participated in summer camp, where she learned English, explored the city, and, most importantly, made a new best friend, Chantal. Grace says her favorite part of GirlForward is the connections she has made.
I came to GirlForward because I knew there was going to be people who speak my language. I made a friend who was so excited that I spoke her language. She lit up with a beaming smile that could light a room and shouted, “She speaks my language!” If you want to connect with someone, start by learning their language. You show that you care about them and you respect their culture.
GirlForward was founded ten years ago to make sure that girls like Grace have a community of support where they can find healing and belonging. Thanks to your support, girls have a safe space where they can make connections that help them grow stronger and more confident.
“One thing
I noticed is that everyone at GirlForward is friendly, and they don’t judge you. They respect each other, and don’t compare themselves to other people. I get to be myself.”
The time to help is now. As I write this, thousands of refugee girls are arriving in the U.S. after fleeing crises in DR Congo, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and worldwide. They are forced to leave behind their family, friends, and a culture they hold dear for their safety. Your gift to GirlForward is an immediate investment in girls arriving here just like Grace.
Hundreds of GirlForward girls in Chicago and Austin are thriving and achieving their goals because of the collective power of the GirlForward community. Last year, 100% of girls graduated from high school, and 85% went to college. Help us continue the important work of connecting girls to friends, role models, support systems, and resources they need to thrive. Today, your gift goes directly to helping girls access the life-changing services girls need most:
Pairing girls with trusted adult mentors to explore the 4 Ws: Wisdom, Wellness, Wallet & World.
Teaching girls social-emotional skills and English skills with our unique social justice curriculum.
Accompanying girls in their education journey through tutoring and school-based support.
Creating safe spaces after school to help girls become strong, confident, and connected.
Offering virtual, hybrid, and in-person programs, meeting girls where they are.
Make a gift to GirlForward today by visiting girlforward.kindful.org. We appreciate your generosity at this critical time.
Grace used to be afraid to speak up and share her joy, now she is not afraid to be loud. In fact, if you ask anyone, they will tell you that she is the life of the party. She never misses a moment to tease you or make you smile. At GirlForward, Grace has found a sanctuary of healing and belonging. She has found a safe space where she is surrounded by support and joy. Grace has learned to let go of the fear she had in the past and to trust in the new connections she made at GirlForward. She has found a community of people who always cheer her on.
Grace & Ricki
In September 2022, Grace was matched with her mentor, Ricki. They meet weekly and work toward Grace’s goal of graduating from high school, all while forming a lifelong friendship.
Ricki shared, “Grace is at a stage in her life where she is exploring and defining her passions such as fashion and drawing, cultivating meaningful connections, and building her self-awareness as well as her outlook on the world as a whole. GirlForward's intervention is incredibly significant at this time; it provides her with the support, resources, and confidence to achieve her dreams and navigate any challenges that she encounters along the way.”
It's the time of year where we reach out to our supporters for additional investment in Girls. Girls and particularly girls of color have suffered the most when it comes to being underfunded. According to the 2022 Women & Girls Index, less than 2% of all charitable giving is dedicated to women and girls. Can you believe that?
Your investment in GirlForward shows you're helping to be the change. We need your help to raise $150,000 by December 31st. Give to GirlForward today because girls like Grace deserve access to all the tools they need to achieve their dreams. Join us in creating a safe environment where she can focus on education and on connecting with others. Be an advocate today!
Your gift of...
$50 provides two girls with a month's supply of feminine hygiene products.
$100 provides one girl with a bus pass for Camp GirlForward.
$200 provides one girl with a computer for school work and virtual tutoring.
$500 provides girls with healthy snacks in the after school center.
$1,000 sponsors a camp field trip.
“GirlForward is an amazing place. I meet people that make me feel comfortable. Every time I learn something about myself. GirlForward changed me. I feel really happy. I am not a shy person anymore. Now I feel comfortable speaking to people. GirlForward has helped me to speak louder and be brave. They have helped me to achieve my goals. I have learned to be brave and focus on my dreams.”
Grace is currently in her second year in high school. In her free time, she likes to draw comic books, watch TV shows in Korean, Turkish, and other languages. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer in the future.
We count on your contribution to continue to impact the lives of girls. Can we count on your support this giving season? Please consider making a donation today.
Gratefully,
Ashley Marine, LMSW
Executive Director
P.S. DOUBLE your impact! Please make your gift before December 31st, and the Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation will generously match it dollar for dollar up to the first $15,000. Thank you for making a difference.