CATALYST
A
publication for supporters, volunteers, and affiliates of Demoiselle 2 Femme, NFP
Volume 3, Issue 1
Fall 2010
Ready, SeT, LeT’S geT fiT... d2f p.h.i.T.
“Don’t let her see you quit,” was the charge
given to mothers who enrolled with their daughters as the first group of participants for the
newly
developed
D2F
P.H.I.T.
Pursuing
through Intense Training) Club.
Health
P.H.I.T. is an
obesity prevention program which targets 25 girls
ages 12-17 and their mother/caregiver in four
primary areas: fitness, nutrition, wellness, and
community
riod.
education
over
a
12
week
pe-
The D2F P.H.I.T. Club utilizes the Body
Works Curriculum published through the Office of
Summer Leadership Students pose with
Chef Joseph Faroldi at K. Joe’s restaurant
Women's Health and is partially funded by the
in New Orleans’ French Quarters. See
University of Illinois CEED Legacy Grant. P.H.I.T. is
more snapshots on page 4.
housed in the Bellevue Ministry Center in Rose-
City Colleges of Chicago nursing students conduct
baseline medical assessments on D2F P.H.I.T.
mother and daughter participants.
land and officially began on April 17, 2010 with
Inside this issue:
Making A Difference
2
D2F P.H.I.T. Cont.
2
a fitness and medical assessment. Through a
community collaboration with the City Colleges
of
Chicago
Nursing
Department,
Dr.
Deborah
Terrell and Dre’s Diesel Dome (D3), volunteers
obtained each participant’s blood glucose, blood
pressure, BMI, weight, body measurements and
H.O.P.E. Center for Girls
3
Northwestern U Partnership
3
Connect with us Online
3
Summer Leadership
4
baseline fitness endurance as well as pretest
Ashley Brown, a mother participating in D2F P.H.I.T.,
evaluation data.
gets baseline measurements by Andrea “Dre” Everett,
For the next 11 weeks mothers and daughters
owner of Dre’s Diesel Dome (D3).
attended weekly workshops which included curriculum instruction, fitness challenges, nutritional
education workshops, and a 45 minute workout
Tour—Snapshots
Hope Sunday
5
Soaring to New Heights
5
conducted by Dre’s Diesel Dome (D3).
While the
program centered its attention on encouraging
families to commit to making healthy lifestyle
choices, once put into practice many mothers
How Low Can You Go?
6
Rising to Excellence
6
and daughters began to see a decrease in their
weight and increase fitness levels! Parents shared
their increased commitment to weekly exercising,
Continued on page 2
D2F P.H.I.T. Club mothers and daughters getting a
good workout which included circuits of relays,
jump rope, resistance bands and crunches!
Page 2
Volume 2, Issue 1
MAKING A DIFFERENCE…
Words from Sherida V. Morrison, Founder and CEO
On May 20th, I had the honor and pleas-
eight years later Ms. Tori and I were
have established a new legacy of educa-
ure of attending the commencement exer-
there to witness
tional attainment for their family through
cises for Northwestern University’s Feinberg
Shaina’s
the completion of their college degree.
School of Medicine as a guest of Shaina
of
Rozell.
doctor
As I sat in the ballroom at Navy
dream
becoming
a
Dr.
realized.
Krystal
Little-Lewis
and
now
Dr.
Shaina Rozell have blazed a trail for
Pier-surrounded by Shaina’s family and the
While there are
more Demoiselles to follow.
families of other medical students who
many
believe that the sky is the limit as to
were moments away from receiving the
(especially
honorable distinction of being a medical
family)
doctor, - I reflected on the path of pur-
Shaina’s path who planted seeds in her
pose which crossed Shaina with Demoiselle
life which led to the fulfillment of that
2 Femme.
dream; I am thankful to God that D2F
It was in 2001 that Shaina joined D2F as
people
her
what
along
the
young
ladies
of
I strongly
D2F
will
achieve.
holds a place in her journey.
As I listened to Shaina and her classmates take their oath to exemplify integrity and professionalism as doctors, I
was challenged to reaffirm my commit-
Amid
I often reflect on the thousands of lives
ment to maintain those same character-
graduation, scholarship
that we have been afforded the opportu-
istics in my role as CEO, mentor and
offers to Ivy League Schools, prom and
nity to touch through programs, work-
the
a senior at Thornton High School.
the excitement of
valedictorian,
shops, conference presentations, and lock
Shaina only missed one D2F workshop
distinguished
title
of
-ins, as well as the countless success of
session (out of 40) which was due to her
our students. I think about the number of
interview with Stanford University.
first-generation
Now,
college
students
community member!
This is an oath we
should all strive to uphold regardless of
our profession, in a concerted effort to
always… Make a Difference!
who
Ready, SeT, LeT’S geT fiT... d2f p.h.i.T. ConT’d
family fitness walks, preparing their family’s
challenges, strength training and cardio.
and to take note of the Daily Value
meals, reducing sugary beverages and en-
percentages; remembering that the
couraging their daughters to eat a healthy
healthier foods contain 20% or higher
breakfast.
of the good stuff like Fiber, Potassium
The girls shared their success
in reducing their intake of fast food, in-
& Iron, and the foods to avoid contain
creased
20% or higher of the bad stuff like
exercise,
reduced
snacking
and
consuming more fruits and vegetables.
Sugar, Sodium, Saturated & Trans
Fats.
Gloria Baker, PH.I.T. Coordinator and her
their mood was a weekly challenge but
assistant, Necol Raymond encouraged
P.H.I.T. Club members to weigh in on their
progress and incentives were awarded to
celebrate their success.
The mothers over-
Journaling what they ate and
each week more mothers as well as
Chef Cordell of Passion’s Cuisine conducts a nutritional
education workshop with mothers and daughters
whelmingly beat the daughters in a fitness
Fifteen year-old Jamia said, “since joining
challenge by walking 280,000 steps
the P.H.I.T. club I actually started eating
(recorded on their pedometers) to the
breakfast and a healthy breakfast at
daughters 110,000 steps! The daughters
that!” One mom said the workshops
could not believe they were unable to out
helped her realize that the food she eats
step their moms. Every week, joy would
affects her. Another mom stated she
soon turn to pain (good pain) when Dre
stopped eating late at night and also
and Nakia from D3 would show up for the
gave up pop after she learned that each
weekly workout which included circuits,
can contained 9 tablespoons of sugar.
relay races, mother-daughter fitness
Participants learned to read food labels
daughters met that challenge. P.H.I.T.
Coordinator, Gloria Baker states, “I
didn’t know what to expect coming in
since this was our pilot group, but I
had a passion for the information presented through BodyWorks and I knew
that people would benefit if they gave
it a chance.” D2F P.H.I.T. is currently
recruiting participants for our fall session, please contact Gloria Baker at
(773) 779-9371, ext. 4 for more information. Evaluation results on PHIT will
be available late fall on our website.
Page 3
Volume 2 Issue 1
H.O.P.E. Center for Girls!
and are positive contributors to society. The principles of
H.O.P.E. will be integrated into programmatic activities
and developmental sessions, which fortify the bonds of
personal achievement and social responsibility.
The cog-
nitive and social development of girls is at the core of
all services provided within the center.
The H.O.P.E. Center will provide a vast array of opportunities to positively impact girls outside the target community through community based research initiatives with
local and national institutions.
The Institute for Research
on Urban Girls (IRUG) will be housed in the center as a
resource for research and public policy information,
which focuses on the healthy development of girls.
The
goal of IRUG will be to provide research data that helps
to improve the lives of girls, who reside in urban com-
Excitement continues to build as we move forward in
munities throughout the United States. Through innova-
our goal to build the H.O.P.E. Center for Girls in the
tive research projects and published outcomes IRUG will
Roseland community. The purpose of the H.O.P.E. (Honor
support the development of programs and services at
Opportunity Purpose Endurance) Center for Girls is to
the H.O.P.E. Center. As well as provide information to
inspire adolescent females to achieve personal, aca-
educational institutions, not-for-profits, government agen-
demic, and social success.
cies, public policy organizations, parents and girls themselves.
The H.O.P.E. Center will serve as a community-based
institution, which provides gender-specific programming
There are many ways to assist in this great endeavor.
to increase the proportion of girls ages 12-18, who
You can serve as a Task Force member, make a finan-
complete high school and matriculate to post secondary
cial contribution, or host a “Hands of Hope” event to
education; increase the proportion of girls who avoid
gather potential donors. For more information, please
teen pregnancy, drugs, violence and alcohol; and in-
contact Sherida Morrison at (773) 779-9371, ext.1.
crease the number of girls who respect their community
D2F Awarded Partnership Grant with Northwestern University
(ARCC) to build opportunities for Com-
the health and wellness of Roseland
munity
Research
youth. Current partners include: South
(CBPR) among service providers in the
Side Help Center, Greater Roseland
Roseland community. The Principal Inves-
Chamber of Commerce, Fenger High
tigators for the project are Dr. Virginia
School, Roseland Community Hospital,
Bishop, M.D., MPH of Northwestern Uni-
Healthcare
versity
Based
Participatory
(Academic
Co-PI)
and
Morrison, M.A. (Community Co-PI). In ad“Partnership for a Better Roseland” was
dition to D2F, nine organizations are
developed through a collaboration with
participating
Northwestern
for
capacity building workshops to develop a
Research in Chicagoland Communities
research question, which will increase
University’s
Alliance
in
monthly
Consortium
of
Illinois,
Sherida
trainings
and
Connect with us online!
We have expanded our
online presence.
Our
Twitter handle is
Page 4
Volume 2, Issue 1
Summer Leadership Tour—Snapshots
Sunday, Day 1
Harry Kissinger said “the task of the leader is to get his
people from where they are to where they have not
been.” July 18 – 24 Demoiselle 2 Femme (D2F)
took 24
students and 13 chaperones on the 2010 Summer Leadership Tour;
the tour traveled to New Orleans, Louisi-
ana; Houston, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee.
For
many students and chaperones it was their first time
visiting these states and for some their first time out of
Chicago.
Hanging out with one of the many sharks at
The Leadership Tour is appropriately named because
Sneaking a quick nap on the long 18 hour ride to
Monday, Day 2
Houston’s Aquarium!
Thursday, Day 5
unlike any other tour it goes beyond the visit and exploration of a college or university, by seizing every moment
to increase leadership skills. Students participate in workshops, community service activities, and explore cultural
and educational landmarks. Every day of the tour a word
that describes the attributes of a leader was introduced,
taught, and discussed.
The students learned of virtue,
intelligence, humility, discipline, poise, and honor.
The
presenters did an excellent job delivering each word in a
thought provoking way that really made both students
and chaperones examine themselves to see if they were
exhibiting these attributes in their daily lives.
Students posing in front Xavier University in New
During the ride home students gave formal presentations
Orleans, Louisiana.
on their week long experience, which were evaluated by
Students watch an outdoor show on historic
Friday, Day 6
staff to award scholarships.
A “Leadership Tour CloseTuesday, Day 3
A chaperone and students in front of the podium
D2F students visit The Institute of Women & Ethnic
where Dr. King gave his last speech in Mason
Studies in New Orleans, to participate in a forum on
HIV reduction and teen sexuality with students from the
Media Advocates for Prevention program. Thanks to
Temple. C.O.G.I.C., in Memphis, TN.
Giving Back: Community service clean up in the Lower
Wednesday,
Day 4
Dressed stunningly in black & white having dinner at K.
Above: Students pose with Ms. Kena, program coordinator, at
Students pose in front of Lorraine Motel, the
Joe’s restaurant in the French Quarters.
her Alma Mater, Prairie View A&M University in Texas.
location where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was
assassinated.
Page 5
Volume 2, Issue 1
HOPE Sunday for Girls "Building Bridges for Future Generations”
On the third Sunday of each month from
January through May, live audience
members and internet viewers tuned in
to participate in the “Hope Sunday for
Girls” webcast. This cutting edge use of
technology was used to improve and inspire the lives and futures of girls in Chicagoland communities by hosting forumstyle and round table discussions with
youth and professionals.
The monthly
topics included Girl Violence, HIV/AIDS,
Health and Fitness and issues most pervasive in the communities served by D2F
and its community partners. Thank you to
all of our partners, students, parents and
viewers! The webcasts will resume later
this fall.
Online viewers submit comments and questions to panel
members during the live webcast.
Soaring to New Heights… Shavomeishia Thompson!
The future for Shavomeishia
Thompson is one full of promise
and a wealth of opportunities.
Shavomeishia graduated from
Englewood High School in 2008
and is currently a Sophomore at
Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi where her major
is Business Entrepreneurship. She
has been a proud member of
Demoiselle 2 Femme for five
years and is a two time recipient
of the Demoiselle 2 Femme Founders’ Scholarship. This fall,
Shavomeishia, along with three of her peers, embarked on the journey of a lifetime to Nanjing, China through the Jackson State University China Internship Program in collaboration with the EI Institute. The Fall 2010 cohort consists of students working at a
European-owned China trade company and on two entrepreneurial
projects for the entire semester. Upon their arrival in September, an
orientation featured presentations to familiarize students with modern and historical Nanjing, Cultural Perspectives discussion sessions, excursions to Huaxi Village and the Nanjing Museum, along
with guest-led professional skills training. In an excerpt from her
online blog, Shavomeishia describes her visit to a primary
school which provides underprivileged Chinese students an
opportunity to practice their English with native speakers:
“Upon arrival in Jurong, the excitement among the students was clear
before we even left the bus. The 10 and 11 year old students eagerly turned
their eyes on our approaching vehicle to get a glance at the foreigners with
whom they would spend their Saturday morning. I was very excited and
seeing all the students was indeed a wonderful feeling. While introducing
ourselves, the students’ determination to understand our English was seen
in pondering expressions and heard in the murmurs of repeated English
words they were grasping to recognize. Each question we posed was the
start of an unspoken race among peers. The student able to answer first
would draw a smile from both us and their proud English teachers; a simple praise to demonstrate their victory. I recognized that Chinese students
are hungry for opportunity, whether they be primary school students seeking a
chance to practice the international language or college students on finding a
great job.
My favorite part of the excursion was at the end of our walk through Nine
Dragons Farm, a charming landscape used to teach students about cultivation. The farm owners brought out freshly picked in-season grapes. I announced they were my favorite fruit and was instantly presented with grapes
from every student who was able to pick one for me. By eating them all, I gave
a clear sign to the Chinese students that I was hungry. An hour later I was
bloated and fidgety from eating too many grapes!”
While attending Englewood High School in Chicago, Shavomeishia
encountered a number of social and personal obstacles in pursuing her
goals. Before applying to Jackson State University, she was challenged
by D2F staff to list the goals and dreams she desired to fulfill. Included in the list was her desire to attend college out-of-state and to
travel abroad in an effort to expand her point of reference beyond the
Englewood community. Since, her acceptance into Jackson State University, Shavomeishia has achieved numerous goals on her list and
now her dream of traveling abroad has become a reality. She has truly
embraced the D2F principle of Endurance which states “I have the
endurance to overcome all obstacles and fulfill my goals and dreams.”
Shavomeishia is soaring to new heights and we believe the only limitation to her success is the sky! If you would like to follow her internship experience in China (September-December) visit the online
blog for the EI Institute at www.eiinst.com/blog.
Demoiselle 2 Femme, NFP
9415 S. Western Ave
Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60643
Phone: 773-779-9371
Fax: 773-779-9471
E-mail: [email protected]
Our annual campaign begins November 1, 2010. Please remember to donate!
www.demoiselle2femme.org
The D2F Lock-In 2010 entitled “How Low
which this year included the release of two
Can You Go” was a major success!
Mammoth Beach Balls from the balcony of
Over
125 girls registered and attended this life
the gym.
changing event.
girls into a frenzy.
The night began with our
This unexpected addition sent the
games and prizes, and finally continental breakfast.
By the end of this 12-
hour experience we laughed, we cried,
we played, we prayed, and most importantly, hopefully we left challenged and
ice-breaker, “Human Bingo” followed by a
kick-off skit performed by a few of our
The excitement continued throughout dinner
changed.
own D2F college participants Capri
into the main skit of the night!
the BEST lock-in they’ve attended, and
Breathett, Venus Bullard, Corsica Carr, and
highlighted the lives and decisions of four
Brianna Lawrence.
high school friends whose choices would
The kick-off skit ended
with the usual music blaring dance-off,
The skit
lead to one of them losing their life in a
fight at the end.
The main skit culminated
The girls left saying this was
the staff wholeheartedly agreed!
The lock-in is funded solely by D2f supporters and a nominal fee charged to attendees.
with Ms. Sherida and all the Femme mentors taking the stage holding chains.
The
chains symbolized unhealthy decisions and
negative influences that are hindering their
progress.
Many of the girls identified with
the characters in the skit and the message
of the chains and wanted to make a
change to do better.
The night, well actu-
ally morning, continued with snacks, small
Bloom H.S. Senior Outreach Specialist, Sharon Carey,
and Demoiselle, Brianna Lawrence portray the challenges of a teen being raised by her grandmother..
group Bible Study sessions, a talent show,
Ms. Tori teaching the latest hustle/slides,
Pomp and Circumstance was in order for our 2010 graduates!
Watch out girls… it’s the attack of the beach balls!
It was truly a celebration as Demoiselle 2 Femme participants celebrated their
academic achievements. All college and high school graduates received orchid and fuchsia D2F chords to display with their cap and gown in
recognition of their commitment to the program and academic success. High school graduates were inducted into the D2F College Connection,
which provides continued support and access to college scholarships. We salute all of our 2010 graduates!
D2F College Graduates
College Graduated From
College Degree
Ashley Campbell
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
B.A. in Education
Jenay Lewis
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
B.S. in Health and Administration
Jennifer Lomax
Southern Illinois University– Carbondale
B.S. in Early Childhood
Najah Shearill
Eastern Illinois University
B.A. in Elementary Education
Marlesa Shields
Eastern Illinois University
B.S. in Biological Sciences/Pre-Med
D2F High School Graduates
High School Graduated From
College Attended
Kaela Corbin
Bloom Township High School
University of Illinois- Chicago
Robin Foster
Percy L. Julian High School
City Colleges of Chicago
Candice Hudson
Hyde Park Career Academy
Illinois State University
Ebony King
Bloom Township High School
Prairie State
Brianna Lawrence
Fenger Career Academy
University of Illinois—Urbana
Tiauana Newell
Percy L. Julian High School
Southern Illinois University— Edwardsville
Amber Miller
Bloom Township High School
Prairie State Jr. College
Laila Payton
King College Preparatory
Parkland College
Phyllis Smith
Bloom Township High School
Southern Illinois University– Carbondale