Scouts succeed, so does society. We provide Girl Scouts with a place to discover their passions, find their voice, and make a positive
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
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.
Spring Issue Issue 1, Edition 3 Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Thank You! to all our grantors this year to date:
We have most recently been awarded $25,000 from Healing Illinois. This grant will pay for the expansion of current programming across the council.
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
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.
• Grant Highlights
• Upcoming Events
• Donor Spotlight
• Boone County Community Foundation
• City of Aurora
• Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
• Ecolab
• Girl Scouts of the USA
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 1
Continued on page 2
• Hanover Township Mental Health Board
• Healing Illinois
• Nicor Gas
• The Community Foundation for McHenry County
• United Way of Whiteside County
understanding a credit score and finding a realtor.
Financial Freedom covers topics such as 501K plans, savings for kids, loans, credit cards, and what tools help in creating a nest egg.
Career and Professional Development connects participants with information on high school and GED, grants versus loans, how to compare and contrast degrees to salary, careers where minority women are needed, and how to talk to a college counselor.
Embedded in all these topics is time to discuss the underlying
systems that create conditions which make it difficult for women of color to achieve certain goals and how to promote equity and healing. The format is delivered in various ways, such as round-table discussions, authentic activities, and discussion groups.
Cohorts are facilitated by members of GSNI’s Hispanic Engagement staff and Community Programs Specialist staff with the assistance of community experts in business, finance, education, and other topics.
In conjunction with this programming, it is always our hope to build an enthusiastic group of volunteers to assist
Enjoy a night out with Girl Scout Cookie®-inspired specialty drinks, appetizers, 50/50 drawing, silent auction, and prizes for top teams and best-dressed tables. Our favorite Girl Scout alum, Rachel from Chicago Trivia Guys, will be donating her services as your trivia emcee again this year.
All proceeds support GSNI’s financial assistance programs ensuring all Girl Scouts get the experience they want regardless of any financial barriers.
Share with friends—seats are going fast- must be 21 or older to attend!
Where:
Barrington’s White House 145 W. Main St., Barrington, IL 60010
When:
Friday, April 19, 2024
Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m. (Trivia game begins at 6:30 p.m.)
Cost:
Single Ticket - $50, includes appetizers and one drink ticket for one adult.
with Girl Scout troops. Bilingual, bicultural, and multiracial troops need to be led by people who understand their specific needs and culture.
In addition, GSNI continues to work on a Belonging and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative with staff and volunteers. Ongoing training and communication regarding racism and how it has impacted all of us is critical to our Mission.
With that in mind, we have included funding to contract with the YWCA of Northwestern Illinois in Rockford to take part in the “Unlearning Racism” workshop offered through their organization for our volunteers and staff.
Table of Eight - $400, includes appetizers and one drink ticket each for eight adults.
To register: visit https://www.girlscoutsni.org#trivia
For questions or more information: contact fd@girlscoutsni.org
We are thrilled to announce the Fox River Grove Memorial Library Running Club is again organizing an in-person Thin Mint Sprint race this year! The event includes a timed 5K fun run/walk along the beautiful Fox River and will take place on Saturday, September 14, at Lions Park. We will have a post-race party you won’t want to miss. Join us for a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit!
Funds raised through the Thin Mint Sprint support GSNI’s financial assistance programs. These programs ensure every current and potential Girl Scout can be a Girl Scout, regardless of barriers. From membership dues to uniforms, books, and even international travel, we do everything we can to provide the Girl Scout experience to all. Last year, with the help of our participants and donors, we were able to raise approximately $19,000 in net proceeds to continue our Mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. Are you ready to help us smash that goal this year?
READY. SET. GO!
READY.
Registration Details: Included in the registration fee are a Tek T-shirt for Thin Mint Sprint, a chipped timing bib, a medal, a patch, a box of official Girl Scout Thin Mints® Cookies, and additional race swag items.
$35 Early Bird Registration until July 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
$40 Regular Registration ~ August 1–September 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
$45 Race Day ~ September 14, 2024
Race packet pick-up will be the week of September 1, 2024. If you require an alternative arrangement, please email fd@ girlscoutsni.org, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Race begins at 8:30 a.m. sharp! After-party immediately following until 12 p.m. Please visit GSNI’s website for more details at https://runsignup.com/ Race/IL/FoxRiverGrove/ GSNIThinMintSprint.
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
1886 Daimler Road
Rockford, Illinois 61112
If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, please contact Vicki Jacobson at vjacobson@girlscoutsni.org, or 844-476-4463.
Thank you for your continued support of GSNI as we strive to develop independent, confident girls through customizable experiences and opportunities to learn valuable life skills while cultivating the character to make a difference in the world!
Our latest donor spotlight is shining on Hurley & Volk Orthodontics, a dental practice that serves the communities surrounding Schaumburg, Algonquin, South Elgin, and Hampshire. Dr. Ryan Hurley and Dr. Tonya Volk founded their orthodontic practice in 2010. Both hailing from the Midwest, Dr. Hurley was raised in Elgin, Illinois, while Dr. Volk grew up in Battle Creek, Nebraska. They crossed paths during their orthodontic residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago and discovered they shared more than just their orthodontic philosophies.
The importance of family and making a genuine connection is a shared vision that is as much about creating healthy and
beautiful smiles as it is a desire to create an environment that gives their patients, team members, and community a reason to smile. They do this by viewing their practice, team, and patients as a part of their family. Their Board Registered and Certified clinicians are dedicated to making your time in treatment as fulfilling and fun (yes, FUN!) as it can be. They truly love helping
people, and it shows. They are passionate about helping others and actively support local charities, schools, and important causes in their communities.
Hurley & Volk Orthodontics demonstrated their commitment to the community by partnering with Girl Scouts for a Cookie Buy Back promotion. During the promotion, they purchased two cases of cookies from visiting Girl Scout troops and donated them to a good cause. This gesture helped the Girl Scouts achieve their sales goals while earning a badge during their tour of the facility. Their willingness to go above and beyond to support Girl Scouts is a testament to their values and dedication to making a positive impact!