Mark your Calendar for a FREE Screening of the Documentary,
"Miss Representation"
As part of our new GAP (Growing as Parents) series, we are pleased to be bringing "Miss Representation" a documentary film created by Jennifer Siebel Newsome and recognized at the Sundance Film Festival. The film will be shown on Thursday, April 12 at the Lincoln Center (935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and will be followed with a half hour panel discussion.
The average teenager spends more than 10 hours each day consuming media -- more than sleeping or attending school. Media is the messenger and an increasingly powerful one. Mainstream media bombards us with overwhelming messages that women should be beautiful and sexy, while men should be powerful and often violent. These messages limit children's ideas of what is possible in the world and can have damaging effects on their self-esteem, health and the way they treat others. Come view the film and join the discussion. RSVP now by emailing info@hgna.org. Seating is limited. The film is rated TV-14 (not recommended for children under 14).
Chick Chat 2012 Hosts 300 Girls and 150 Parents
On Saturday, March 10, we hosted 300 4th-6th grade girls at our 7th Annual "Chick Chat" event at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, which is an all-day, all-girl event aimed at empowering girls as individuals and as a friends.
When HGNA was originally formed in 2004, co-founders Mary Ellen Young and Cathy Fisher came up with the idea of creating an organization that could challenge the negative images and information bombarding girls today, while offering support and education to their parents. When the first Chick Chat was held in 2006, 60 girls attended the half-day seminar. This year, the 300 girls attending were also joined by 150 of their parents who attended "Mom and Dad Chat" the concurrent two-hour parent education opportunity.
"We're thrilled at the outcome of the day," said Katie Blanchard, Co-Chair of Chick Chat. "All the girls seemed to have a wonderful time, and we received very positive feedback from the evaluations. I think a great indicator of the success of the program is that, although we (HGNA) is based in Downers Grove and we have a high percentage of District 58 attendees, this year we had girls from 34 different schools attending our program."
The "Chick Chat" day included breakout sessions covering topics such as "Friends, Frenemies and Fiascos" and " Being Your Best Self." Additionally the girls had the opportunity to relax during a session of yoga, and later get their game on during the Chick Chat Challenge which provides fun and challenging ways to work as a team. This year's "Mom and Dad Chat" speaker, Dr. Michael Maniacci, spoke to the topic of raising confident children.
Co-Chairs, Beth Schuller and Katie Blanchard, along with a host of over 70 other volunteers (including 20 high school girls) helped to make the day a huge success. The day was also made possible through the generous donations of The Grove Foundation, Panera, and Radiant Logic, Inc. A huge thank you to Beth, Katie, our volunteers, our sponsors and to the parents who made the day a priority for their daughters. We're already planning for next year!
"Miss Representation"
As part of our new GAP (Growing as Parents) series, we are pleased to be bringing "Miss Representation" a documentary film created by Jennifer Siebel Newsome and recognized at the Sundance Film Festival. The film will be shown on Thursday, April 12 at the Lincoln Center (935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove) from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and will be followed with a half hour panel discussion.
The average teenager spends more than 10 hours each day consuming media -- more than sleeping or attending school. Media is the messenger and an increasingly powerful one. Mainstream media bombards us with overwhelming messages that women should be beautiful and sexy, while men should be powerful and often violent. These messages limit children's ideas of what is possible in the world and can have damaging effects on their self-esteem, health and the way they treat others. Come view the film and join the discussion. RSVP now by emailing info@hgna.org. Seating is limited. The film is rated TV-14 (not recommended for children under 14).
Chick Chat 2012 Hosts 300 Girls and 150 Parents
On Saturday, March 10, we hosted 300 4th-6th grade girls at our 7th Annual "Chick Chat" event at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, which is an all-day, all-girl event aimed at empowering girls as individuals and as a friends.
When HGNA was originally formed in 2004, co-founders Mary Ellen Young and Cathy Fisher came up with the idea of creating an organization that could challenge the negative images and information bombarding girls today, while offering support and education to their parents. When the first Chick Chat was held in 2006, 60 girls attended the half-day seminar. This year, the 300 girls attending were also joined by 150 of their parents who attended "Mom and Dad Chat" the concurrent two-hour parent education opportunity.
"We're thrilled at the outcome of the day," said Katie Blanchard, Co-Chair of Chick Chat. "All the girls seemed to have a wonderful time, and we received very positive feedback from the evaluations. I think a great indicator of the success of the program is that, although we (HGNA) is based in Downers Grove and we have a high percentage of District 58 attendees, this year we had girls from 34 different schools attending our program."
The "Chick Chat" day included breakout sessions covering topics such as "Friends, Frenemies and Fiascos" and " Being Your Best Self." Additionally the girls had the opportunity to relax during a session of yoga, and later get their game on during the Chick Chat Challenge which provides fun and challenging ways to work as a team. This year's "Mom and Dad Chat" speaker, Dr. Michael Maniacci, spoke to the topic of raising confident children.
Co-Chairs, Beth Schuller and Katie Blanchard, along with a host of over 70 other volunteers (including 20 high school girls) helped to make the day a huge success. The day was also made possible through the generous donations of The Grove Foundation, Panera, and Radiant Logic, Inc. A huge thank you to Beth, Katie, our volunteers, our sponsors and to the parents who made the day a priority for their daughters. We're already planning for next year!
Thank you for your support of HGNA!
