Demand skyrockets for Chicago nonprofit's services

CHICAGO - July 3, 2023 - PRLog -- In 2017, Chez Smith left her job as a Cook County public health administrator to start a new nonprofit with a simple mission: to provide a non-judgmental, safe space in which girls could discuss sexual education.

Fast forward to today and Smith can hardly believe what she tapped into nine years ago: Since first launching her services, she has watched demand skyrocket. Her bootstrapped nonprofit organization, Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. (Healthy Optimistic Outstanding Determined) Foundation, has now served more than 1,500 people through various programs and services.

The scrappy, two-woman operation run by Smith and programs director Venisha Bonds has now distributed more than 300 "H.O.O.D. Kits" including free hygiene supplies, period products, and underwear through their H.O.O.D Kit program developed to combat "period poverty."

The deeper they dug into their work, the more they tapped into greater demand from South Side families struggling to break through socio-economic barriers. So they started meeting basic needs for food and shelter by the families of the "gyrls" they served.

As a result, they've now provided more than 500 people with clothing, shoes, etc. through their H.O.O.D closet program and handed out more than $6,000 in rental assistance to girls in need.

And the demand keeps growing.

"I know that these numbers are small compared to big nonprofits, but we are a tiny, startup operation," said Chez Smith, founder of Gyrls in the Hood. "We are doing important work with the gyrls and the community as a whole. We've found that what we are doing is resonating with Chicagoans."
Last year, Smith was recognized by Chicago Magazine as a "Chicagoan of the Year" for her work to improve outcomes for teens girls living in urban areas considered "hood."
Tackling 'period poverty'

According to Smith, one in three menstruating Chicagoans have to choose between buying menstrual products or food or paying utility bills.

For women and girls facing this "period poverty," lacking basic feminine hygiene supplies can have a significant impact on their education, health, and dignity.

To tackle this problem, Smith and her team introduced H.O.O.D kits.

Then, they went bigger.

They opened the Reproductive Health Services Center in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood to support and empower girls to make informed choices.

Now, Gyrls in the Hood is launching a Period Poverty campaign and is turning to the public for help as they grow their reach in Chicago and nationwide.

Learn more and get involved at https://www.gyrlsinthehood.com.