Spring Issue
Dear Supporter, We believe that when Girl Scouts succeed, so does society. We provide Girl Scouts with a place to discover their passions, find their voice, and make a positive
Issue 1, Edition 3 Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois impact in their communities. These Girl Scouts are building a better world for all of us! Help us ensure every Girl Scout in northern Illinois develops the courage, confidence, and character
Healing Illinois Grant A large part of GSNI’s Philanthropy Department’s work is reaching out and applying for grants that can enhance the work we are doing with Girl Scouts and volunteers. Grants support programming, financial assistance to current and potential youth members and adults for membership, volunteer training, youth travel, camp property maintenance and repair, and assist in paying for program supplies and activities for service units and troops. We have most recently been awarded $25,000 from Healing Illinois. This grant will pay for the expansion of current programming across the council. In 2021, GSNI began a leadership development program for Latinas in the Aurora area called Latinas Taking the Lead. This program has expanded to the Elgin and McHenry County area. We further extended the concept to create a cohort for Black Women Taking the Lead. Our first cohort for this program started in Rockford in 2022. It is our desire to continue this expansion of both Latinas Taking the Lead and
Black Women Taking the Lead. New and additional cohorts will take place in Freeport, Rockford, Harvard, and McHenry in the future. Within these cohorts, anywhere from 20–25 women learn together and build knowledge of systems, explore how to build relationships, strengthen trust, and begin to heal as well as advocate for themselves. Each cohort of women meets six times and covers six topics: Civic Engagement inspires participants to work within their communities. This can include advocating for students by learning how to speak with teachers, counselors, and school administrators about IEP’s and 504 plans, and what they can do at home to boost student scores. Health and Wellness encourages discussion on food preparation, nutrition, cultural cooking, history of products, and more. Home Ownership delves into topics like generational wealth, renting versus buying, background checks, and steps to getting a home, such as Continued on page 2
Girl Scouts nurtures. An investment in Girl Scouting is broader than a cause or a cure. It is a commitment to the next generation of selfsufficient and capable trailblazers.
In this Issue... • Grant Highlights • Upcoming Events • Donor Spotlight
Thank You!
to all our grantors this year to date: • Boone County Community Foundation • City of Aurora • Community Foundation of Northern Illinois • Ecolab • Girl Scouts of the USA • Hanover Township Mental Health Board • Healing Illinois • Nicor Gas • The Community Foundation for McHenry County • United Way of Whiteside County
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