The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) assists low-income women in obtaining safe abortion services by providing clinic referrals, negotiated discounts and financial assistance. CAF also engages young people who have used their services in public education, organizing and advocacy through the My Voice, My Choice leadership group. This capacity-building grant from Third Wave will assist CAF in developing internal leadership. Link: Chicago Abortion Fund
Chicago Abortion Fund was funded in 2009 and 2010. They are based in the Midwest and work in Community Health & Healing, Organizing & Advocacy and Reproductive Justice utilizing Direct Services, Leadership Development and Political/Peer Education.
Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM) offers legal and educational services to maintain the bond between imprisoned mothers and their children. Through their Visible Voices project CLAIM strengthens the skills of young women from 18-29yrs in treatment and correctional centers through public speaking, education of public officials and media advocacy. CLAIM is also working with other advocacy groups on a national anti-shackling initiative. Link: Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers
CLAIM was funded in 2009. They are based in the Midwest and work in Criminal/Legal System, Organizing & Advocacy and Youth Mothers' & Parents' Rights utilizing Leadership Development.
Desiree Alliance develops tools and trainings to help sex workers across the United States advocate for themselves. The grant funded their board development as they plan for their second national conference. Link: Desiree Alliance
Desiree Alliance was funded in 2006. They are based in the Midwest and work in Sex Work & Sex Trade.
Gender JUST is a grassroots organization that seeks to build power and develop leadership among queer youth of color by organizing for racial, economic, and gender justice. Gender JUST has worked successfully within Chicago Public Schools to implement policy changes to ensure that all young people receive a safe and affirming education. With Third Wave’s support, Gender JUST will apply their successful organizing strategy towards winning comprehensive sexuality education and increased access to health resources for queer youth of color in Chicago. Link: Gender JUST
Gender JUST was funded in 2010. They are based in the Midwest and work in Anti-Violence, Comprehensive Sex Education, Gender Justice, LGBTQ Rights, Organizing & Advocacy and Racial Justice utilizing Leadership Development and Political/Peer Education.
The Empowered FeFes is an organization dedicated to honing the leadership skills of young women with disabilities. With Third Wave’s support, the Fe Fes will expand their impact beyond Chicago, IL, through a sustainable replication project to train other grassroots organizations led by disabled young women.
The Empowered FeFes was funded in 2007. They are based in the Midwest and work in Disability Rights.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Project (YWEP) is a youth leadership organization grounded in harm reduction and social justice organizing by and for girls and young women, including transgender women (ages 12-23) impacted by the sex trade and street economies. In 2011 YWEP will continue to operate the Bad Encounter Line, through which girls and young women can report their experiences with institutional violence. Through the Chicago Task Force for Homeless, Homefree and Street Based Youth, YWEP will help author and promote the adaptation of a Street Youth Bill of Rights among youth-serving organizations in Chicago. Link: Young Women’s Empowerment Project
Young Women’s Empowerment Project was funded in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. They are based in the Midwest and work in Community Health & Healing, Criminal/Legal System, Harm Reduction, Organizing & Advocacy and Sex Work & Sex Trade utilizing Leadership Development, Political/Peer Education and Research.