Girl Talk: Support Incarcerated Girls

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News about Girl Talk October 2011 Greetings! In 2010, after a conversation with staff at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), we decided to re-launch Girl Talk as a film screening and art-making program based on work that had been done by Laurie Schaffner and her University of Illinois at Chicago students in the summers of 2006 and 2007 at the jail. Currently Girl Talk consists of bi-weekly film screenings accompanied by an art project on Saturday afternoons in the Cook County JTDC. The films we have selected feature a young female protagonist who faces challenges and ultimately triumphs. After the movie concludes, the incarcerated girls and Girl Talk volunteers work together in small groups to discuss the movies' themes and work on related art projects. Since January 2011, the revived Girl Talk program has offered bi-weekly programming at the jail.  We are pleased to say that our work will continue at JTDC through 2012.  We could not run this program without the support of a committed group of volunteer program facilitators.  In this issue of our newsletter, you will learn about how you can help to support Girl Talk and the incarcerated young women at JTDC.  We look forward to your contributions to the work. In peace, Girl Talk Leadership Team (Laura Cortez, Jessica Estrada, Tasasha Henderson, Ashley Howard, Mariame Kaba, Deana Lewis, Caryn Moore, Laurie Schaffner) Next Info Session: October 29 Potential Volunteer Facilitators Can Learn More about Girl Talk Info Session 2010 On October 29th from 1:00pm to 2:30 pm, potential volunteer facilitators are invited to an information session to learn more about Girl Talk. The session will take place at the UIC Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted (dining area adjacent to the Dunkin Donuts).  Participants will learn about the logistics, curriculum and expectations of Girl Talk program facilitators.  We strongly encourage potential volunteers to attend an information session before signing up for our orientation sessions. The next volunteer orientation session will take place on November 12th from 10:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Anyone who is interested in volunteering for Girl Talk must first complete the Girl Talk Program Facilitator Application.  Self-Care Day at JTDC: December 17 Your Contributions Are Essential For Our Success girl talk banner On Saturday December 17th, Girl Talk will be hosting a Self-Care Day for the young women who are incarcerated at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. We are organizing this event with no money and so we will be heavily relying on our supporters to make this day a success. On  Sunday December 18th, we will coordinate a similar event for the young women who are incarcerated at IYC-Warrenville. To make both days a success, here is what we need: Volunteers If you are a bodywork therapist (massage, reflexology, etc...), please volunteer your time and skills from 1:30 to 5 p.m. If you can offer manicures and/or pedicures to the young women, please volunteer. Do you teach relaxation and anti-stress techniques? Then please join us. We also need various supplies and are accepting financial contributions too.  Visit our blog for more details about our needs and how to get involved. Thanks to Our Rock Star Volunteers! created by a young woman at JTDC The Girl Talk Leadership Team would like to express our deepest gratitude to  all of our volunteers.  We are particularly grateful to the following volunteer program facilitators who have shown initiative, passion, and commitment to the young women at JTDC: Brittany Watkins Kirstin Munro Nicole Huser Elacsha Madison Rose Tauke Michelle-Marie Gilkeson Eva Nagao Alyssa Beck Jazzmine Nash Amy Reinert Haley Volpinsita Jessica Gauger-Kiraly  Visit our Blog for regular updates. In This Issue October 29 Info Session Self-Care Days Rock Star Volunteers "Self-Care" Days December 17 and 18, 2011 Help us to provide some respite and pampering to young women incarcerated at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and at IYC-Warrenville.  Click HERE for more information on how you can help!