Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. Organization Overview butterflydreamz.org
@butterflydreamzinc
1
About Us Based in Gary, IN and Newark, NJ, Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps girls develop into women who achieve their dreams and fill the roles of leadership in this nation and world.
Our Impact Goals Leadership Growth & Identity
at least 90% of youth experience leadership growth and identify as confident leaders.
Improved Mental Health
at least 90% of youth mentees report improvements in their mental health.
Post-Secondary Education & Career Access
at least 90% of youth mentees receive acceptance into a college, university, or another post-secondary program.
Community Awareness & Engagement
at least 90% of Butterfly Dreamz families and partners report being more aware of and engaged in issues impacting the health and well-being of women and girls of color.
2
The Need Girls of color in the United States, particularly Black girls, are fighting systemic inequities that threaten their personal, professional, and academic well-being.
“Between other people’s opinions and everything I’ve experienced, self-esteem is a big struggle for me. I am still learning how to love my body, but I am doing better than I was before…” -Amber 12th grade (Newark, NJ)
Generational poverty, institutional racism, and sexism frequently result in adverse outcomes for girls and young women of color. Heightened Stress & Anxiety - Over 70% of girls in Butterfly Dreamz communities report being frequently stressed out due to a variety of social challenges, including community violence, chronic health conditions, lack of support, and financial struggles. Identity Threats - Daily microaggressions, demeaning beauty standards, and harmful stereotypes negatively impact our girls’ selfidentity and confidence. Inadequate School Support- When our girls look for the support they need at school, they often can’t find it. Black girls frequently experience “adultification bias,” where they are perceived to be more mature and less in need of nurturing, protection, support, and comfort. Many public schools, particularly those in low-income communities, are significantly understaffed. In Indiana, the school counselor-to-student ratio is 694 students to one school counselor. In New Jersey, there are 655 students to one school social worker.
3
Our Approach Butterfly Dreamz works at the intersection of health and education to advance the leadership and well-being of women and girls. Through our programs, research, and advocacy, we: Equip girls to be confident leaders who disrupt the status quo. Build an intergenerational network of women and girls who are committed to growing as leaders, supporting each others’ endeavors, and making a positive impact on their families and communities. Cultivate community and corporate partnerships that combat injustice and influence organizational and systemic change.
When our girls thrive, so do their families, their schools, and their communities.
4
01 02 03
What We Do Cocoon Club Network of Support Our Cocoon Club (cocoonclub.org/join) is a supportive online community that connects girls and young women, ages 12 to 24, to education and health resources, leadership opportunities, and mentorship to achieve their unique goals.
Leadership & Wellness Programs Our leadership and wellness programs advance health equity by providing students at underresourced schools with access to culturally affirming and gender-responsive mental health services, including individualized wellness coaching and preventative programs that help develop young people’s social-emotional and leadership skills. Our school-based teams include our Community Health Workers (CHWs) and CHW Apprentices, who serve as Community Wellness Coaches.
Participatory Research & Advocacy Our youth interns work with our staff to conduct community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects that examine the intersection of community health and public education to promote the well-being of women and girls of color, particularly Black women and girls.
5
Our Impact
Since our founding in 2013, we have served over 3,000 girls in our community. Our latest fiscal year, FY23, highlights include:
A Network of Support 88% of program alumni remain engaged with our Cocoon Club online community after their high school graduation. 76% of Cocoon Club members use our community app, Mobilize, for mentorship, community connection, leadership development, and college and career preparation.
Leadership & Wellness Programs 96% of participants reported that Butterfly Dreamz leadership and wellness coaching was beneficial and helped to improve their mental health 95% of youth participants reported growth in their leadership and career skills. 100% of c/o 2023 high school graduates were accepted to 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities.
Research & Advocacy In 2023, Butterfly Dreamz partnered with the Newark Board of Education to conduct a participatory research project that helped the District better understand and meet Newark students’ and families’ summer learning goals.
6
Fariah
Aubria
“I think Butterfly Dreamz changed my life and how I approach things, from opportunities to the way I write about the world around me... Not only was my definition of leadership changed, but I truly feel as if I was able to grow so much. My leadership coach was absolutely the best! I don't think I would be able to navigate my first year of high school without her. I'm thankful for the opportunities I had as an intern and a member, which shaped the way I was able to assist my community. Thank you so much for everything, and I can't wait to see what else Butterfly Dreamz brings in the next few years!” —Fariah, 9th grade student “Since I’ve become a Butterfly Dreamz Intern in 2021, I’ve learned an extensive amount about myself, my community, and my history. This internship provided me a safe space to have conversations where I was able to expound upon my interests in social justice and woman empowerment. Butterfly Dreamz also allowed me to create an impact in my community through the Leadership Journal. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I hope Butterfly Dreamz continues to leave this impact on other girls.” —Aubria, c/o 2023 High School Student
7
Partner with Us Education Partners Bring Butterfly Dreamz leadership and mentoring programs to your school or community center.
Health Partners Partner with us to connect girls to health resources and enhance their health literacy.
Corporate Partners Invest in women and girl leaders by becoming a corporate sponsor, and invite Black women at your organization to join our partner network and professional learning community: sisterhoodofsuccessfulwomen.com.
8 LEVELS OF BUTTERFLY DREAMZ
SPONSORSHIP LIVE BOLDLY
$10,000
Sponsors a Cocoon Club membership and network of support for 100 girls. Logo or name acknowledgment in our annual Leadership Journal and on our website. Networking event with an employee resource group and Butterfly Dreamz youth leaders.
DREAM BIG
$20,000
Sponsors a leadership and wellness program for an under-resourced school. Live Boldly Sponsor Benefits Full page ad in our annual Leadership Journal,
featuring your business and/or a woman of color leader in your organization.
FLY HIGH
$30,000
Invests in our research and helps us scale our pilot CHW Apprenticeship. Dream Big Sponsor Benefits Recognition on social media and all promotional materials for our Wellness Weekend events.
9
Our Leadership Our Leadership Joy Lindsay Founder & CEO
Joy Lindsay is an Ed.M. candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Adrian Cheng Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Joy founded Butterfly Dreamz in 2013, a year after losing her younger sister, Kimberly Anyce Lindsay, to gun violence. For over 10 years, Butterfly Dreamz has honored Kim’s life and legacy by serving more than 3,000 girls in our community. Joy has a background in finance, consulting, and public and nonprofit management. Connect and learn more about Joy at linkedin.com/in/joylindsay.
Heather Lindsay
Joy Lindsay
Founder & CEO Board Chair
Heather Lindsay Heather Lindsay leads, operates, Board Chair and thrives at the intersection of
public and private partnership. She is the Head of Operations for the fourth largest health insurer in the US, HCSC, which is the owner of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans covering Illinois, New Mexico, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Heather is responsible for the development and execution of their Medicaid strategy, serving over 1 million members. Heather is also the mother of Joy, Kimberly, and Tiffany. Connect and learn more about Heather at bit.ly/HeatherLindsayLinkedIn.
THANK YOU!