122:. At RefugeeOne, a non-profit refugee resettlement, Brettschneider met Domi, a refugee girl from Burundi whom she mentored. She was inspired by Domi's story and the stories of other refugee girls. With a $ 2000 gift from her grandparents, she formed a support group of ten refugee girls. Later, with the help of online crowd-funding campaigns and grant proposals, she was able to expand it. The support group evolved into what is now known as GirlForward.
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identity. The Safe Space
Program includes a combination of in-school and after school tutoring, field trips and workshops. This is the largest GirlForward program. The non-profit goal is to help refugee girls graduate from college. It currently holds 100% high school graduation; 90% of mentoring program graduates go on to attend college.
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girls: the
Mentoring Program, the Education Program and the Safe Spaces Program. All three provide English language instruction, financial literacy, and opportunities to meet friends and role models in the community. GirlForward also provides tutoring and mentors to guide the girls throughout their schooling.
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did a Best
Charities in Chicago list with categories of Environment, Health, Hunger & Homelessness, Pets, Justice & Equality, and Community Resources. Chicago Magazine's qualifiers to make the list were 501(c)(3) status from the IRS and those who earned Charity Navigator's top ranking of four
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The Wisdom
Program leaves space for girls and their mentors to spend time doing homework, reading, researching and learning about new topics. The mentors provide guidance relating to academics and extra curricular activities, as well as guidance about college and after graduation options. The mentors
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GirlForward serves refugee girls to help ease their integration into the United States through three different programs. The creation of the Mentor, Education, and Safe Spaces programs allows fellow refugee girls to establish a network where they can exchange their experiences with one another. These
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GirlForward mentors young refugees by helping them adapt to new surroundings around
Chicago, Illinois, and Austin, Texas, teaching them English, finance, and social skills. Girls find the organization through referrals or by friends who are involved with the organization. All of the refugees come to
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is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2011 by Blair
Brettschneider. It is dedicated to empowering refugee girls aged 12 to 21 from over 40 different countries, who have resettled in areas around Chicago, Illinois, and Austin, Texas. GirlForward uses three core programs to assist refugee
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Feasts of
Resistance was a project inspired by Haitian Freedom Soup, a pumpkin-based dish that depicts slaves' freedom living in the Saint-Domingue in 1804. It offered cooking classes to the public. In 2017, GirlForward partnered with Peterson Garden Project for Feasts of Resistance where refugee
225:
to help raise money for GirlForward. In March 2017, Spektral
Quartet raised $ 4,150 for GirlForward. For Morton Feldman's Quartet No. 2, Spektral Quartet challenged attendees to stay at the event for the entirety of five-hours in order for a donation to be made in their name to GirlForward. Key
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GirlForward is headquartered in
Chicago, Illinois, while the second location opened in 2016 in Austin, Texas. The organization serves about 200–300 girls a year and has nine people on their staff between the two locations. Both locations are designed with colorful displays to promote a safe and
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The Wallet
Program provides guidance on how to make budgets, calculate taxes, make grocery lists, and provides guidance relating to jobs and finances. Mentors work with girls to create resumes, apply for jobs, and provide options for after high school graduation including colleges and careers.
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The activities consist of studying English, mathematics, computer skills, exploring museums, learning about different cultures, health/hygiene instruction, budgeting for future trips, dancing to music or singing. Through the Camp GirlForward and the Safe Space Program girls can explore their
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The Multicultural Mural was designed by Color Squad, a non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas. GirlForward partnered with Color Squad and Creative Action to create a 240 feet long mural in East Austin, Texas. The mural illustrates diversity and multiculturalism.
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Girl Jam is an annual fundraiser event organized by GirlForward where girls share their life stories with an audience. The money raised, mainly from foundations and individuals, goes toward budget programs such as the GirlForward summer camp and transportation costs.
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In the World Program, girls and their mentors share their cultural identities, explore their neighborhoods, and learn about the world. The girls learn how to benefit from the resources within their community, and how to give back to their community by volunteering.
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published a list of 20 Chicago area professionals under 30 who have acquired local attention in areas of business, law, real estate, philanthropic work, etc. Blair Brettschneider, made the list in 2017 for her philanthropic work with GirlForward.
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programs give them access to mentors, educational tutors, leadership opportunities, and interactive activities. The mentoring program allows the girls to explore their passions and opportunities after graduation from high school. The
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The Wellness Program encourages girls to think deeper about mental and physical health, self-esteem, and body image. The program includes yoga classes, meditation workshops, and long walks.
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relaxing atmosphere. The organization has no plans to expand into other cities. Future plans include creating a leadership council where refugee girls will assist the organization.
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The summer camp prepares the girls for the coming school year and provides field trips where girls are encouraged to communicate with each other to improve their English.
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list. The list consisted of 20 categories with 30 winners for each category under 30 years old. Brettschneider ranked fourth out of 30 in the Education category.
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During the summer of 2015, $ 6,000 went toward transportation for girls who could not afford travel fees to the GirlForward facility located in
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crafted a Best Chicago Charities and Organizations list. GirlForward was one of three Aid Refugee organizations in Chicago.
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girls taught cooking classes to introduce dishes representing their homeland and their struggle against oppression.
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stars. GirlForward was placed in the Four to Watch category lacking the Charity Navigator four star ranking.
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130:. Brettschneider travels to the girls' homes to discuss the opportunities the organization has to offer.
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Blair Brettschneider began her involvement with assisting refugees in high school while working for the
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728:"Meet Ashley Marine of GirlForward in Edgewater and Rogers Park - Voyage Chicago | Chicago City Guide"
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Interactive activities are centered around what GirlForward calls the four Ws:
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880:"Edgewater's Refugee Girls Share Stories Of Struggle Through Cooking Class"
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936:"3 Creator Award Winners Who Are Changing the World - Creator by WeWork"
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supporters, board members, and audience members were the main donors.
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650:"See why Blair Brettschneider is one of @crainschicago #Crain20s:"
560:"8 Awe-Inspiring Women Founders To Applaud On World Refugee Day"
398:"8 Awe-Inspiring Women Founders To Applaud On World Refugee Day"
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granted GirlForward with US$ 15,000 for its mentorship program.
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422:"These 8 Unsung Heroes Will Restore Your Faith in Our Country"
749:"Chicago Foundation for Women Awards $ 1.2 Million in Grants"
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965:"These Chicago Charities and Organizations Need Your Help"
827:"GirlForward gives teenage refugee girls a chance to grow"
452:"Chicago non-profit founder nominated for CNN Hero Award"
679:"GirlForward Helps Young Refugees Transition a New Life"
593:"The Young Texans Helping Turn Refugees into Americans"
373:"The Young Texans Helping Turn Refugees into Americans"
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In 2017, GirlForward founder Blair Brettschneider made
856:"Spektral Quartet Raises Over $ 4,000 for GirlForward"
773:"Spirit of Giving: 'GirlForward' helps teen refugees"
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Non-profit organizations based in the United States
912:"Teen-created mural celebrates diversity in Austin"
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126:America legally with their families through the
535:"Girls flee bombs, build new lives in America"
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221:Feldman Forward Initiative was created by
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497:"GirlForward : lmpact Report 2018"
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71:Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas
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268:Creator Award, Changing the World
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1075:Organizations established in 2011
799:"STARS at the Trail: GirlForward"
1019:"The Best Charities in Chicago"
185:are volunteers and home-based.
16:American nonprofit organization
753:Philanthropy News Digest (PND)
128:Office of Refugee Resettlement
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992:"30 Under 30 2017: Education"
963:Bruce, Nicole (2018-11-26).
145:Chicago Foundation for Women
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312:Best Charities in Chicago
217:Feldman Forward Initiative
282:Crain's Chicago Business
704:"GirlForward | HuffPost"
655:Crain's Chicago Business
350:Crain's Chicago Business
803:Austintrailoflights.org
504:Static1.squarespace.com
290:Best Chicago Charities
708:www.huffingtonpost.com
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120:Save Darfur Coalition
230:Feasts of Resistance
43:Blair Brettschneider
450:Griffin, Courtney.
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940:Creator by WeWork
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942:. 2017-06-06
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891:the original
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301:30 Under 30
260:Publication
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96:.girlforward
58:Legal status
623:GirlForward
509:14 November
208:Rogers Park
107:GirlForward
20:GirlForward
1059:Categories
1028:2018-11-28
1001:2018-11-28
974:2018-11-28
946:2018-11-28
921:2018-10-29
897:2018-11-11
865:2018-11-11
838:2018-11-11
808:2018-10-29
784:2018-10-29
758:2019-05-06
733:2018-11-29
713:2018-10-29
689:2018-10-29
661:2018-10-18
628:2018-11-13
604:2018-11-29
571:2018-11-12
544:2018-10-17
463:2018-10-17
431:2020-06-16
407:2020-06-16
382:2020-06-16
358:References
293:Thrillest
52:Non-profit
969:Thrillist
343:Thrillist
324:In 2015,
84:$ 519,044
61:501(c)(3)
25:Formation
747:Candid.
198:Girl Jam
163:Wellness
138:Services
77:Revenue
887:Chicago
885:DNAinfo
619:"Press"
539:Cnn.com
304:Forbes
271:WeWork
114:History
89:Website
40:Founder
30: (
996:Forbes
683:Rewire
565:Forbes
402:Forbes
248:Awards
193:Events
180:Wisdom
154:Wallet
79:(2017)
500:(PDF)
318:2015
307:2017
296:2017
285:2017
274:2017
263:Year
171:World
511:2018
98:.org
48:Type
32:2011
28:2011
94:www
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