Mission Statement

The Chrysalis Program teaches leadership, life skills and self confidence to
​African American girls age 5-19 through interactive workshops and community events.
Fostering growth and transformation through encouraging self love, integrity and ​compassion to inspire success.

Vision Statement

The Chrysalis Program seeks to be a safe haven for African/black girls across the diaspora to find resources, workshops, and community. Where ever a black girl finds herself there will be a local Chrysalis Program chapter to help guide her to becoming her best version of herself mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Overview

By executing several initiatives, ranging from after school and summer programming to youth leadership development initiatives,  The Chrysalis Program is helping to shape the next generation of leaders who will have a direct impact on our communities.  The Chrysalis Program’s multilayered approach has a proven track record of improving students' expectations and capacities for future success while increasing likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behavior.
​
Chrysalis Program students learn under three pillars:

• Wellness (Mental Health, Relationship Building, Public Speaking) ​
• Life Skills (Career Readiness, Problem Solving, Financial Literacy etc)
• ​The Arts​ (Creative Arts, Dance, Cooking, Sewing)

History

The Chrysalis Program began first as a book series called, The DARK Brown Girl. The series was written to build the confidence of African American girls and women.  Emails, messages and letters poured in about girls who didn't love themselves, were being bullied or had attempted suicide due to a severe lack of confidence. The Chrysalis Program was created as a safe place to learn the skill of self-confidence in a fun interactive and safe environment. We soon found the the community needed more than a confidence boost. Issues such as: pediatric asthma and diabetes, violence in the home and in our communities, and childhood trauma needed to be addressed in a comprehensive manner.  Our students needed to leave our program not only with better confidence, improved behavior, and higher academic achievements, but with healthier minds and a long-lasting positive lifestyle. 

Value

The Chrysalis Program was founded on the southside of Chicago where the population is 76.6% African American/black.  22% of the southside of Chicago are between the ages of 5 and 19 (the largest cohort in the area.) The median household income for the southside of Chicago is $34,174 compared to the national average of $62,843. 17% of people in this area have never earned their high school diploma. 35% of residence have only received a high school diploma. 8% have received a Associates Degree and only 11.7%  have earned a Bachelor's Degree.
We are looking to close this education and income gap by preparing students for successful adulthood by teaching life skills that are intended to level the playing field.
​Our program allows students to:

• Become more self-aware
• Learn financial literacy and other valuable life skills
• Improve mental health
• Learn coping skills
• Socially aware​​​

• Make better more responsible decisions 
• Manage themselves more intentionally​
• Build healthier relationships
• Have a creative outlet

The Chrysalis Program offers hope, empowerment, sisterhood, encouragement, affirmation
​and acceptance to an underserved population of girls.​

Offerings

The Chrysalis Program offers Saturday Sessions, Tea Talk with Teens, Summer Camp, Afterschool Programming and Group Counseling. These interactive offerings in conjunction with community events and field trips keep our families engaged and foster growth and transformation to inspire the success of our students. Each of these initiatives have a unique model, that has a proven track record of success among those who participate.  ​

Solutions

The Chrysalis Program addresses societal blemishes ​such as:

• Income Gaps
• Chicago Violence
• Bullying
• Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  
• Self Hate
• Colorism
• Childhood Depression
• Hair and Body Shaming
• Suicidal Youth

The inception of the Chrysalis Program took place at the intersection between wanting to reach the world with a message of love & wholeness and needing to make an immediate change in our own community right here on Chicago's Southside.

Nondiscrimination Statement/Policy

The Chrysalis Program does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
05/1/2016