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BLOOM

a necessary force addressing the root causes of gun violence by centering the wellbeing of Black moms and women 

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WATCH OUR 2022 BLOOM DOCUMENTARY

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BLACK GIRLS BLOOM

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Our commitment to people is our leading priority.

As a result, we have pursued numerous initiatives supporting south and west-side Chicagoans to tackle our city’s gun violence epidemic. We hold true that gun violence in our communities directly results from divestment and disempowerment. In response, we work to invest in and empower our communities through programs like BLOOM. 

Black Girls Bloom
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BLOOM IS

THE EMBODIMENT OF

RADICAL affirmation.

IT STANDS FOR BELIEVING,

LOVING, AND OWNING THE

OPULENCE IN MYSELF.

BLOOM Meaning

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

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The BLOOM Cohort is a 6-month program that picks up where many leave off by deepening Black and Brown women’s relationship to self-care, self-love, and nourishment so that they may be transformed. As these women are provided with new, leisurely, and luxury wellness experiences, they expand their capacity to confront and defeat the barriers that have held them back from being active agents and changemakers for themselves, their families, and their communities. During the program, the women engage in intimate educational wellness workshops, adopt new practices, build sisterhood, embark on excursions, and work with a social worker through counseling to set and attain goals. The culmination of this program is a graduation ceremony where participants are awarded with a certification of completion and celebrated by their families and friends. 

About BLOOM

WHO DO WE SERVE?

We serve Black single mothers, mothers, and women living on Chicago's south and west sides who have been impacted by poverty-induced gun violence or its side effects. If this sounds like you, fill out our waitlist at the bottom of this page for program updates. 

Some of our activities this year include...

01 

SELF LOVE, SELF CARE, & NOURISHMENT WORKSHOPS W/ SISTA AFY COMMUNITY CARE 

02

VEGETABLE GARDENING

03 

OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE OF 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR' ON BROADWAY

04

EMBODYING VISION THROUGH IMPROV WORKSHOP 

05

DAY TRIP TO APPLE HOLLER APPLE ORCHARD

AND MORE!

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VEGAN CUPCAKE WORKSHOP W/ MAJANI

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VISION BOARDING W/ THE SANCTUARY

PROGRAM PILLARS

SELF-LOVE 

Caring for ourselves is an act of self-preservation. We lead with this pillar to instill a culture of critical care and innate worthiness for those impacted by the effects of gun violence. By giving them the tools and agency to practice self-care, we aim to also increase feelings of  self-love and self-worth.

NOURISHMENT

In order to bloom, a flower must have enough nutrients in the environment it’s rooted in. By exposing women to new foods, expanding their understanding of nutrition, and building a connection to the natural world—we aim to create experiences that nourish them mentally, physically, and spiritually.

TRANSFORMATION

When existing in cycles of trauma and violence, it’s hard to remember that we have an unlimited source of power we can tap into to transform our lives. By helping women harness their transformative capacity—women of color leave the cohort having bloomed into the gifts that were always inside of them.

Program Pillars
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Why we're creating a culture of critical care  

BLOOM Origin

NEED IS ELASTIC.
WE STRETCH TO MEET IT.

Stemming directly from the expressed needs of the people we work with, BLOOM is a necessary force for gun violence prevention and its impacts. Through the Chicago Food Pairing Program, we served hundreds of families by providing customized grocery deliveries, including household supplies, alongside resource list creation. Over time we realized that of the hundreds of people we serviced, the vast majority of them were Black and Brown women. As we conducted these deliveries, they shared with us that they lacked investment, support, a sense of self-worth, a voice, and an ability to dream. We listened. We studied. And with the needs of the people at the forefront, we are taking action.

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2022 BLOOM Cohort members

BLOOM acts to realize the empowerment of all women of color by focusing on those that are most vulnerable: low-income women, single mothers, women with disabilities, unemployed women, and more. These women, who are pillars in our communities and their families, are an untapped mine of budding leaders with the power and influence to help shift communities affected by poverty-induced gun violence from a state of scarcity to a thriving oasis. By prioritizing experiential learning, joy, conversation, and counseling—women of color leave the cohort having bloomed into more effective architects of their lives and communities.

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JOIN OUR WAITING LIST

Does this program sound like a fit for you or a woman you know? Sign up for our wait list to express interest in our next cohort being hosted in 2024.

Waitlist Signup

2024 BLOOM Cohort Waiting List

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How did you hear about BLOOM? (Check all that apply)

Thank you! We'll be in touch.

Donors & Partners

OUR DONORS & PARTNERS

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