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Englewood Native Launches Development Program for Girls, Teens

 Englewood native Nicole Smith is launching a development program for teen girls in her neighborhood.
Englewood native Nicole Smith is launching a development program for teen girls in her neighborhood.
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ENGLEWOOD — A new program in Englewood aims to teach girls and teens etiquette, personal development and how to turn their talents into careers.

Nicole Smith spent her early childhood in Englewood, so when she set out to design her Valley Girls development programs, she zeroed in on the specific needs of boys and girls in her community.

“I see a lot of our young girls ... don’t have the etiquette they should have as young girls and ladies,” Smith said. “I wanted to build a program where we help these girls with their positive self-image. They get to build their own reflection of self, not let somebody else create it for them.”

The program — part of her Catherine Smith Foundation, a nonprofit named after her grandmother — kicks off Saturday at 730 W. 69th Street from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and is designed for girls between sixth and 12th grade.

 Nicole Smith will launch the Valley Girls program Saturday.
Nicole Smith will launch the Valley Girls program Saturday.
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Valley Girls

Topics that will be covered include personal development, goal-setting and achievement, health, relationships, talent and career development. Activities will include community service, art projects, sports games and art tours.

Smith said she didn’t need a program like this growing up because she had her mother, sisters and grandmother. But there are girls in Englewood who don’t have the role models she did, she said. She wants to step in and guide them into becoming successful, confident young women.

To do that, Smith has help from students at Concordia University Chicago, where she teaches a class on nonprofits and accounting. She also recruits volunteers come from her church and Order of the Eastern Star, a women's auxiliary of the Masons, of which she is a member.

This Saturday the girls will get an introduction to improving self-image and perception. Smith also has an arts and craft project prepared for attendees.

Girls can sign up on site with a parent or guardian. Valley Girls will meet every second and fourth Saturday of the month.

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