History

The first Mother & Daughter leadership group started in December of 2000. The program was started to offer the Latina Leadership curriculum to mother & daughter teams. This program provides participants tools to overcome cultural and generational barriers through leadership development training.

Target population

Spanish speaking girls ages 12 through 17 and their mothers from Pilsen / Little Village communities. The secondary population served is mothers & daughters from the broader Chicago Metropolitan area.

Services

There are two phases in the Mother & Daughter Leadership program. Phase I provides a safe space for girls and their mothers to work through topics that enhance personal growth and development. Phase II provides mothers and their daughters opportunities to learn about broader social issues which promote systemic change. The program also provides supportive counseling and appropriate referrals.

Staff composition

Two staff: Program Coordinator who share time between other youth programs and a Mother Daughter Program Counselor.

Advocacy efforts

Blue Line Transit Task Force, Our Voices-Our Choices: Broadening the Conversation on Reproductive Rights (Chicago Foundation for Women).

Trends

The need to address Latina reproductive rights issues has become an essential part of the program. Most of the girls participating in the program are under age 14. There has been an increase in the requests to implement the Mother & Daughter groups at schools and other community sites.

Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault / Women in Transition / Peace Program /

Parent Support / Teen Reach / Latina Leadership / Child Care / SASS / Sanctuary