At Demoiselle 2 Femme (D2F), gender-specific programming goes beyond simply focusing on girls. It represents a concentrated effort to assist girls in positive female development. It takes into account the age-appropriate developmental needs of girls at adolescence, a critical stage for gender identity formation. During adolescence (between 12 and 18 years of age) girls acquire the ability to think systematically about all logical relationships within a problem. The transition from concrete thinking to formal logical operations occurs over time and the ability to consider possibilities, as well as facts, can influence decision making, in either positive or negative ways. Demoiselle 2 Femme teaches young ladies how to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence and teen sexual activity while equipping them with the hope of accomplishing their educational and professional goals through self-discipline, hard work, commitment and service to their community. The community-based model developed by D2F is a gender-responsive approach which encourages the avoidance of at-risk behaviors as a strategy for success as well as the completion of high school and matriculation to college. Our program goals are:
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To increase the number of adolescent females who commit to avoiding health risk behaviors which include but are not limited to: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence and teen sex;
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To reduce the proportion of teen pregnancies among girls ages 13-19;
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To reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases among adolescent girls;
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To increase the proportion of adolescent girls who complete high school and graduate from a post secondary institution;
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To increase the proportion of girls who commit to making healthy lifestyle choices which include proper nutrition and physical activity;
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To increase family connectedness through program services which foster successful parent-child relationships with a special emphasis on father-daughter relationships;
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To provide opportunities for girls to grow spiritually, mentally and physically into the women they were created to be; and
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To effectively operate programs that become a models for social change through developing young women who are socially-conscious, responsible leaders for the next generation!
Demoiselle 2 Femme, “Young Ladies to Women”- After School Program
Our signature after-school program which currently operates at Julian, Simeon and Bloom Township High schools as well as a community- based program at the Bellevue Ministry Center in the Roseland community. This program provides weekly workshops, leadership development, service learning, conferences, cultural activities, college prep and college access services, mentorship, personal development, sessions and teaches the importance of true sisterhood. Through implementation of the 3-D curriculum and program services, D2F provides girls with decision making and life skills that will assist their development into womanhood. It nurtures and reinforces femininity as a positive identity with inherent strengths and abilities. Given the importance that girls place on relationships, 3-D teaches relationship-building skills and empowers girls to use their voice as a positive agent for personal development and social change. The program has received national attention and is currently being evaluated in collaboration with the Social Science Research Center of DePaul University and the Administration for Children and Families. For previous evaluation findingsclick here.
D2F P.H.I.T. CLUB (Pursuing Health through Intense Training)
An innovative obesity prevention program which reaches African American girls ages 12-18 and their mother/caregiver in four primary areas: fitness, nutrition, wellness, and community education over a 12-week period. The D2F PHIT Club is a collaboration of community partners which include a fitness expert, community organizations and a medical physician, all of which have more than 20 years of committed experience in working African American families. The program utilizes the Body Works Curriculum published through the Office of Women's Health and targets 50 mothers and 50 daughters each year. Participants attend weekly sessions which include curriculum instruction, nutrition information, a 45-minute workout, cooking demonstrations and field trips. Program evaluation includes: pre-survey, post-survey and a six-month follow-up survey as well as pre and post medical screenings. The program is housed in the Bellevue Ministry Center in the Roseland community.
Click here for the P.H.I.T. Club Application
G-WAVE (Girls With A Voice Empowered)
An HIV/AIDS and violence prevention program which empowers girls to share the power of their voice within their school and community. Utilizing a holistic youth development approach the program employs gender-responsive strategies to reduce the risk of HIV infection and juvenile delinquency among adolescent girls while increasing their role in community action. G-WAVE implements evidenced-based curricula and an empowerment model which includes the development of community awareness projects which promote social, sexual and academic health among teen girls. We currently operate G-WAVE at Fenger, Thornton and Thornridge High Schools.
Project Hopeful- D2F Financial Stewardship
Provides financial literacy for girls and their parents which focuses on budgeting, debt management, saving/investments, credit and small business development. The program is sponsored by J.P Morgan Chase and operates over a 4-week period.
The Parent School for Success
Parents of students participating in D2F after-school programs are required to attend bi-monthly meetings (6 per year) designed to educate and inform parents on risk prevention, college access and program services. To support and reinforce education and awareness, parents are encouraged to participate in workshop offered through the “D2F Parent School for Success.” Workshop topics have included: Developing My Family Mission Statement (part 1&2), HIV and STDs What every Parent Should Know, A Legacy of Health for Our Daughters, College Admission & Financial Aid, Discipline for Teens, Effective Communication, Monitoring Social Networks. Parent-child relationships are also supported through mother-daughter luncheon, parent breakfast, and an annual summer family picnic. The D2F Parent Advisory Board plays an active role in the success of activities designed for parents. The board is comprised of eleven parent volunteers who meet monthly to develop initiatives which promote parental involvement, family connectedness and prevention education.
D.A.D.S.- Determined Active Dads
As a response to the absence of this important relationship for more than 80% of girls participating in D2F programs we have established D.A.D.S. in collaboration with the Acumen Group, LLC. The purpose of this program is to develop strong father-daughter relationships in an effort to reduce health-risk behaviors through the implementation of workshops, support group sessions, seminars, and father-daughter events that aim to address and resolve conflict, restore estranged relationships, and teach effective communication. Fathers are formally introduced to the program by letter written by the girls inviting them to participate as well as the impact it will have on their relationship. Father-daughter activities are scheduled throughout the year and have include the “Daddy-Daughter Soul Bowl” and the “Daddy-Daughter Date Night.”
College Connection
Provides support services to participants from their senior year in high school to their completion of a baccalaureate degree. Through this program students receive scholarships, semester care packages, seminars, internships at D2F, professional guidance and mentorship. Participants remain connected to D2F through the D2F Connected newsletter, My Space, Facebook, a monthly conference calls and webcasts.
FEMME 2 STEM (Science | Technology | Engineering | Mathematics)
Provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) centered programming for high school girls on Chicago's Far South Side. The purpose of the program is to empower girls to pursue non-traditional STEM educational programs and careers through their participation in community transformative design building projects. Girls participate in a 10-week spring and fall session (which focus on architecture, engineering, medicine and public health) and serve as Building Heroes during an intense summer bootcamp series. The success of the program has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times as well as on ABC 7 News. Click the links below for more information:
Link to ABC7 News Report
Link to Chicago Tribune Article
Link to Chicago SunTimes Article
