Take a look at where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

Long email alert! So much to catch up on, so grab your popcorn and a drink!

2022 RUN IT BACK

CBS MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Did you catch our CBS feature story? We are so excited for the opportunity to have our mission highlighted on a national level.

SHEEN MAGAZINE FEATURE

Our amazing CEO and Founder Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson had the opportunity to share her story with Sheen Magazine. 

PROGRAMMING

Mother Hunger 
Mother hunger is a new term released by psychologist Kelly MC Daniel. She is the author of Mother Hunger which discusses the three pillars a girl needs from her mother -  nurturing, guidance, and protection. In addition to nurturing, we found that during this time our girls need mental strength to bounce back from the pandemic that has plagued us all.

GOAL Girls
We formed a team of amazing “Big Sisters” to help our 360 club aka Goal Girls do just that by interacting with them four times a week. This year sessions are focused on Mindset Matters by implementing our 4 E’s.

Winter Session topics: Social emotional learning
Spring Session topics: Self Awareness, Self Confidence, Healthy Boundaries, Unstoppable Mindset, Emotional Intelligence
Education: Sessions with a Licensed therapist Tiffany Bellamy or Miracle Nored 
Encouragement:  Chat time (Letting the air out of their tire) with Eboney Hogan
Empowerment Talks: Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson
Enlightenment: Giving hope spiritual guidance through prayer Min. Taletha Cousins
 

360 Club aka Goal Girls 
Mindset Matters Summer Session: June 27 – August 19
Fall Session: September 12 – November 4
 

America’s Big Sisters Foundation is coming to a city near you!
We kicked off 2022 with our All Girls Matter Empowerment Conference Tour (in partnership with Girls Who Brunch) in Miami.  The conference was held at Miami SLAM Charter School.  Thank you to all our sponsors Focus for Health, Willie Mae Morris Empowerment Center, Miami Heat, Game Changers, Carnival Cruise lines, and our volunteers that helped make the day a success. You Rock! 

Stay tuned for dates for Chicago (August), Kansas City (October), and Houston (December). Take a look at highlights from Miami and catch us at the next stop to join the fun.

FUNDRAISING

Spring Fundraiser
Thanks to our amazing fundraising team and supporters we raised $3,407.00 for our popcorn fundraiser. Thank you to our top sellers: Dr. Tragil Wade-Johnson, Sequoia Youngblood, Daliah Goree. Top Goal Girl Seller Johnnika Bibbs.

Look for a friend raiser/fundraiser near you!
Funding is our most challenging area. We endeavor to do more and reach more but we can’t reach our goal without people like YOU. We are looking for people that are willing to host 50 people or more for a friend raiser….if it’s not you look for a friend raiser/fundraiser near you.  Stay on the lookout for Chicago’s America Has Big Sisters Awards ceremony/fundraiser. As well as our annual Giving Tuesday in November. 

FOLLOW OUR NEW INSTAGRAM

Miss seeing us on social media?  We have a new IG account. Follow us @americasbigsistersfdn to stay up to date with our latest news! 

WINTER HAPPENINGS

SPRING HAPPENINGS

Assigned mentors to our Goal Girls in Chicago, Houston, Miami, and Kansas City!  Thanks to all our Big Sisters that served as 2021 Mentors.  We couldn’t have done it without you!



Career Preparation

March Goal Girls Virtual session Painting and Preparation was fun, exciting, and informative. We focused on career preparation taught by our mentor Kimberly Glover.  Thank you to Nakita of Calming Canvas for the art instruction.    

Financial Literacy

April proved to be another amazing Goal Girls Virtual session with our girls receiving instruction on how to make a pound cake and knowledge on financial literacy. Thank you to our baking instructor, mentor Shanell Tutstone of Heavenly Cakes.

Mental Health Month

May Mental Health Month, presented our Goal Girls with insight via a virtual mental health discussion.  We also hosted Listen Up Lil Sis Podcast Segments, featuring topics like Let’s Talk About It, The Trap, Selfie, and Major Keys presented by our very own CEO Tragil Wade-Johnson and Education Coor, Deborah Omolewu.

SUMMER HAPPENINGS

End Of School Year Virtual Celebration

Final Goal Girls virtual session on the Career Goals series was a blast! They were provided with job descriptions, educational plans, salaries, financial planning, and budgeting.  It ended with fun and games to celebrate the end of the series an end of 2021 school year.

Boss Up Virtual Camp

Boss Up Virtual Girls Summer Camp sessions were a huge hit. Six weekly sessions focused on basic skills of how to build a business. It ended with a cash prize to the girl that presented the best business plan.

Our summer intern program allowed teen girls to experience nonprofit operations as well as an opportunity to make a difference in the community by volunteering at food pantries in Chicago. 

Class of 2021 Recognition

Class of 2021 Goal Girls Graduates Virtual Recognition featured four of our Goal Girls.  These young ladies graduated from High school or Junior High school and have successfully moved on to their next milestone.

FALL HAPPENINGS

Chicago’s Annual Weekend was amazing! We kicked off the weekend partnering with Girls Who Brunch for a fun filled teen girls Summit.  Followed by a Boss Up Youth Black Wallstreet Marketplace.  Two girl boss winners with the best business presentation received $1K and 1 runner-up with $500.  Our Finale was our Annual Fundraising Luncheon where great women were honored for the many hats they wear and contributions during the pandemic. 

HOLIDAY INITIATIVES

In the spirit of Thanksgiving we used the opportunity to take our Goal Girl Guardians shopping to assist with their holiday meal. Thank you to all who supported and made this vision possible.

Christmas Zoom Party was fun and informative for Miami, Houston, and Kansas City.  The girls shopped and had lunch with their mentors or our CEO, Tragil Wade-Johnson. Christmas in Chicago is always a blast with our annual shopping trip and lunch/motivation moment with our CEO. 

2021 EXPENSE ALLOCATION

2021 WAS A BLAST!

In the midst of the continued challenges of the pandemic we still managed to have an amazing year.