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.
We have served thousands of girls in our community over the past decade.
2,500 Youth Served Annually Improved Mental Health & School Attendance
Post-Secondary Education & Career Access
We serve over 2,500 young people annually through our youth development programs.
Over 90% of students receiving our schoolbased services reported improvements in their mental health, increased attendance, and leadership growth.
Over 95% of youth in our mentorship programs achieve a post-secondary goal of their choice, including full-time employment or acceptance into a college, university, or another postsecondary education/career program
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.
80% of our girls report chronic stress, anxiety, or depression due to poverty and systemic inequities.
When girls look for support at school, they often can’t find it because our schools are grossly understaffed.
1,829 students to 1 school social worker recommended ratios: 250:1 (general) 50:1 (high-need) Indiana
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.
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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.
School-based Wellness Programs
We partner with public school districts to advance the leadership and well-being of adolescent girls and young women attending high-need public schools. Through our school-based student support model, we aim to help students and families resolve at least 75% of their identified social determinants of health (SDOH) needs. Learn more at butterflydreamz.org/school-based.
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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. Learn more about our internships at butterflydreamz.org/intern.
think Butterfly Dreamz changed my life and how pproach things, from opportunities to the way I ite about the world around me... Not only was y 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
Fariah
Aubria
Partner with Us
Through our corporate and community partnerships, we:
Introduce girls from underserved communities to a wide range of career fields and higher education options Facilitate employee volunteer opportunities that boost engagement and enhance cultural competence
Build diverse recruitment pipelines and workforce development programs that support early-career women
Sponsor our annual Leadership Journal, an inspiring leadership development guide for teen girls and their mentors
COMMUNITY
SPONSORSHIP
LIVE BOLDLY
Sponsors a Cocoon Club membership and network of support for 10 girls.
Logoornameacknowledgmentinourannual LeadershipJournalandonourwebsite.
Co-hostedcommunityeventincollaboration withButterflyDreamzyouthleaders. $1,000
DREAM BIG
$3,000
Sponsors college and career programs for a high-need public school.
LiveBoldlySponsorBenefits
Full-pageacknowledgmentinourannual LeadershipJournalfeaturinganinterviewwith awomanofcolorleaderinyourorganization.
FLY HIGH $5,000
Invests in our community-based health equity research and youth internships.
DreamBigSponsorBenefits
Recognitiononsocialmediaandallpromotional materialsforourcommunityevents.
CORPORATE
SPONSORSHIP
LIVE BOLDLY
$10,000
Sponsors a Cocoon Club membership and network of support for 100 girls.
Logoornameacknowledgmentinourannual LeadershipJournalandonourwebsite.
Networkingeventwithanemployeeresource groupandButterflyDreamzyouthleaders.
DREAM BIG
$20,000
Sponsors a school-based wellness program for a high-need public school.
LiveBoldlySponsorBenefits
Full-pageacknowledgmentinourannual LeadershipJournalfeaturinganinterviewwith awomanofcolorleaderinyourorganization.
FLY HIGH
$30,000
Invests in our community-based health equity research and youth internships.
DreamBigSponsorBenefits
Recognitiononsocialmediaandallpromotional materialsforourcommunityevents.
Our Leadership
O Le ership
Joy Lindsay Founder & CEO Founder & CEO
Joy Lindsay is a Ph D Student at the Yale School of Public Health, where she conducts community-engaged research aimed at advancing health equity for women and girls of color, particularly Black women and girls.
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.
Joy Lindsay
Heather Lindsay Board Chair
Heather Lindsay Board Chair
Heather Lindsay leads, operates, 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.
