Event

Girl Jam 2014

"When I was nine years old, we were forced to leave the country because it was not safe. We traveled to Syria by bus and lived in a refugee camp for two years. Life in Syria was hard because I was away from things I loved. I did not know what would happen next. We arrived in Chicago in 2008. I first felt lonely because everything was different." - Hadeel, 17, Iraq

For girls like Hadeel, life in the United States holds terrific promise as well as tremendous challenges. While trying to navigate a new culture - overcoming language barriers, figuring out high school in a foreign environment - girls are tasked with helping their families adjust to an entirely new life. It can be overwhelming and lonely.

That's where GirlForward comes in. Established in 2011, GirlForward is the first and only organization in the United States dedicated to empowering refugee girls who have been resettled from war-torn countries around the world. GirlForward's year-round programming serves girls and young women ages 12-21 from countries such as Iraq, Bhutan, DR Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, and more, all building new lives for themselves in Chicago.

You are invited to support GirlForward at Girl Jam, a night of music for refugee girls in Chicago. Join us for delicious food and drinks at the Revolution Brewpub in Logan Square, performances by local artists like The Flips, Dana DeStefano, Mike Petruccelli, Gillian McGhee and DWaC, and opportunities to learn more about GirlForward's work, featured on CNN Heroes 2013.

We hope you will join us to celebrate and support GirlForward.