California-based STEP UP offers structured programs, focused support, and inspiring connections to help girls define and achieve their unique visions of success. Through its impactful after-school and mentorship programs, Step Up seeks to empower girls living or going to school in under-resourced communities to become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women. This fall, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER featured the nonprofit’s inaugural “25 Mentors of the Year List” to honor inspirational role models in the community.
Illinois-based NORTH LAWNDALE EMPLOYMENT NETWORK (NLEN) increases the earnings potential of people who face significant barriers to employment, including returning citizens and people with felony records, through innovative employment initiatives that lead to economic advancement and an improved quality of life. NLEN’s programs include job readiness training, financial education classes, anger management, resume preparation, and full-time transitional employment at its all-natural skin care products company. Prominent community leaders recently gathered at the NLEN workforce campus to discuss and propose solutions to the disproportionately high rates of crimes against Black women in Chicago. CBS 2 NEWS has the story.
Michigan-based MITTENS FOR DETROIT collects, purchases, and distributes new mittens and gloves to children, teens, and adults in need. Pairs are publicly collected each year, sorted by hundreds of volunteers, and distributed through the nonprofit’s partner network of schools, agencies, food pantries, veterans’ groups, and the like. Earlier this month, Mittens for Detroit gave the gift of warmth to thousands of schoolchildren. WXYZ-TV 7 was there.