Our Core Programs

Polished Pebbles seeks to eliminate the “hope gap” experienced by too many girls of color in Chicago and nationally. Our core programs and curriculum are designed to support these girls in a variety of ways that support our Three C’s: Community, Communication, Career.

Girls Mentoring Program

Every Girl
is a CEO

Pink
Hard Hats

Mommy & Me Program

Saturday
Sessions

Our Impact Since 2009

We are serving the highest number of students on an annual basis by far; offering the most diverse types of programming and the most consistent programming (in terms of weekly, regular school programming in addition to our other programs); offer school-based mentoring program to the most schools (on avg. 50 each school year); greater reach locally as well as nationally and globally.

Girls Served

Mentors and Volunteers

Corporate Partnerships

Girls Mentoring Program

About the Program

Our Social Emotional Learning centered, trauma-informed, and communication-focused college and career readiness programs are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of girls of color by giving them the tools and skills they need to stay in school, engage in school, resolve conflict, take on leadership roles, and graduate high school. Currently we are engaging teen and tween Black, Brown and Latina girls at nearly 50 high-need schools and several community sites in 2022, including 6 in the south suburbs.

What to Expect

Our signature in-school and after-school mentoring group activities consist of 1 to 3 hours a week for 15-20 weeks. Each mentoring session is led by a trained, experienced PP Mentoring Facilitator, often supported for group mentoring by one or more of the networks of our current network of more than 200 women mentors. Every semester ends with a job shadow with a corporate partner, allowing girls to put their new skills into practice.

Want to learn more about our mentoring program?

“I loved how thorough the program is! The mentor was engaging, and the program has
helped with my daughter's confidence.
This program really takes a chance on these
young ladies and helps them to grow.”

— Traci Matthews, Mother

Every Girl is a CEO

About the Program

Polished Pebbles’ signature summer programming provides an introduction to career readiness through a dedicated curriculum that emphasizes the key skills needed to successfully navigate the workplace. The program incorporates job shadows, conferences, summer work-study opportunities and workbook exercises for young girls.

Since 2021, Polished Pebbles has also produced an Every Girl is a CEO Conference that has engaged over 300 girls and young women from across the Chicagoland area, states across the U.S., and different countries in Jamaica, South Africa, Kenya, and India. The conference includes four panels highlighting different career pathways from hospitality to STEM to sports management.

What to Expect

Each summer, our jobs and internship component connects girls with paid employment, with this curriculum as the core of the weekly meeting for girls in our summer work programs.

Want to learn more about Every Girl is a CEO?

“I really liked that it helped my daughter to meet new girls and mentors to teach her
about being a boss/CEO
.”

— Stacy Jarrett, Mother

Pink Hard Hats

About the Program

Pink Hard Hats is Chicagolands’ first offering dedicated to increasing the number of BIPOC women in trade professions by providing exposure to and preparation for construction and trade career opportunities for Black, Brown and Latina girls who are traditionally underrepresented in these fields. This program provides a direct pipeline into the industries for students through site visits, annual symposiums and internships via our extensive network of partners including Chicago Women in Trades, Clayco Construction, ComEd, Amazon, Union Pacific and other core industry trade groups. Each year, the program holds a Pink Hard Hats Symposium.

What to Expect

Each year, Polished Pebbles hosts the Pink Hard Hat Symposium – an in-depth day of activities, panels and hands-on experience to expose young girls to various trades. Additionally, Pink Hard Hats participants have opportunities for direct mentorship, site visits, job shadows and internships.

Want to learn more about our Pink Hard Hats initiative?

“Our group was very impressed with the mature and insightful questions these young ladies asked. I look forward to having them tour another property or construction site in the near future!”

— Drakia Wilkins, Development Manager, Lendlease

Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Program

About the Program

The Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Program is uniquely designed for young girls and their mothers. The program develops communication skills through personal interaction with seasoned entrepreneurs, as participants develop their own business plan.

What to Expect

During the Mommy and Me Summer Entrepreneurship Program, mothers and their daughters work alongside a business development coach and mentors to create a business plan based on their interests and skills over the course of the summer. At the end of the program, participants present business plans in a “Shark Tank” style competition and receive feedback from coaches, mentors, and entrepreneurs. Participants who complete the program receive a stipend and seed funds to help launch their business with continued technical assistance, coaching, and mentoring provided by Polished Pebbles throughout the year. Over the past three summers, 50 mother-daughter teams have participated in the program.

Want to learn more about the Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Program?

“My daughter first participated with Polished Pebbles at school. She loved it. Then, we did Mommy and Me and created a business. It was just as an enlightening experience for me as it was for her. Polished Pebbles gave us all what we needed to launch a legitimate business. A well-run business, Polished Pebbles leads by example. Thank you, Kelly Fair!”

— Latisa, Polished Pebbles mom

Saturday Sessions

About the Program

Saturday Sessions are continual opportunities for young girls to connect with community leaders to learn about and develop the soft skills needed for success in the workplace and beyond.

“I am a Saturday Session volunteer with Polished Pebbles, and I truly enjoy seeing the girls interact with their moms and mother figures while learning about several topics and participating in various activities. While I do my part to help the girls, I learn something from them every session as well!”

— Tesha Broom, Human Resources Business Partner; Volunteer

2022-2023 Program Evaluation Results

%

LEARNED ABOUT A NEW CAREER PATH

%

LEARNED EFFECTIVELY CONFLICT COMMUNICATION SKILLS

%

CONSIDERING A CAREER IN STEM

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