Girl World provides a continuum of gender specific and age appropriate programming for girls and young women ages 10-18 that focuses on increasing self-esteem and team building, encouraging cultural exchange and understanding, and developing leaders. At Girl World, we provide youth-led, female -specific activities that focus on self esteem, health education, fitness, leadership development, social justice, and community and career issues. Through these activities, Girl World effectively fosters positive decision-making skills and encourages positive relationships. Such opportunities help the girls to avoid negative options that lead to substance abuse, high-risk sexual behavior, and juvenile delinquency. Currently, Girl World has seven projects:

Girls Movement is an annual event that provides community girls and young women the opportunity to learn about a variety of professions, encouraging participants to think broadly and openly regarding their future career possibilities. The event draws 200 girls for an entire day of activities with professional presenters from careers in education, science, medicine, law enforcement and the performing arts.

The Leadership Council develops girls as leaders in the community through discussions and experiential learning. Participants, aged 10 to 14, meet weekly during the school year to discuss components of leadership and explore the positive role that women and girls can play in their community. Additionally, participants work to develop and implement personal short and long term goals that reflect positive decision-making skills and self-efficacy. This year, the Leadership Council's focus is on youth leadership through community activism. Members explore community issues facing youth and develop strategies to support girls who have to deal with stress, gangs, alcohol and drugs.

Teen Group, comprised of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19, utilizes critical-thinking activities to enhance personal growth and development. Girls facilitate and participate in interactive workshops that discuss topics such as media images of females, reproductive health and teen dating violence. In 2008, the Teen Group performed twenty hours of community service by planning and successfully running a Saturday club - titled My Sista's Keeper to girls who live in the Edgewater- Uptown- Roger's Park community. In order to work with the girls responsibly, Teen Group was trained on active listening, peer mediation and other communication techniques. Teen Group also works with an array on community partners including, but not limited to Females United for Action, the Young Women's Action Team of Rogers Park and AquaMoon spoken word group.

The Girl-Driven Research Project involves a small team of young women aged 13 to 19 who conduct a research project by investigating an important community issue of their choice. In 2007-08, participants explored factors that influence youth conformity and presented their findings entitled "Ducks In A Row?" to the community in an interactive presentation. During the paid project, girls develop employment, facilitation, presentation, and social science research skills in addition to learning about important social justice concepts related to race, class, gender and age.

Girl's Grant Making encourages older girls, ages 13-18, to use the research findings of the Girl-Driven Research Project to define the types of projects they wish to fund in the larger community. The participants learn the process of grant making from defining what the team will fund to creating the grant application and conducting site visits. The summer project encourages critical thinking, teambuilding, and decision-making skills. In August 2008, the grant making team was charged with the task of awarding two grants to programs that encourage youth to think critically and independently. Upon the conclusion of their site visits, the team elected to award funding to Kuumba Links and to Girls In the Game Junior Advisory Board.

High School on Our Minds - this high school preparation group is designed for girls in 6th through 8th grade- Participants explore the high school selection process and discuss strategies to have a positive high school experience. Girls learn about the variety of CPS high schools, receive information on test dates and speak to older girls about navigating high school successfully. Parent outreach is included for members of this group.

College Preparation Support is designed for young women applying to college in Fall 2008 or Spring 2009 - Members work in small teams to research and apply to colleges and universities of their choice. Individual help with personal statements, understanding the financial aid process and discussing strategies to successfully transition from high school to college life is also provided. Participants may also participate in a local college tour.