Building Leaders One Girl At A Time

Demoiselle 2 Femme (D2F), is a 501-(c)-(3) nonprofit organization with a rich history of providing community-based programs for girls on the far south side of Chicago as well as the south suburbs. The French derived name celebrates the passage of a girl to a woman, and the numeral “2” symbolizes the natural and spiritual footsteps of that journey.

The mission of D2F is to provide holistic services, education, instruction and training to assist adolescent girls in a successful transition to womanhood. In fulfilling its mission, D2F has provided prevention and education programs to more than 5,000 girls ages 13-19 in the Chicagoland community for over 20 years. Through various programs, girls are challenged to utilize critical thinking skills in operation of one of the greatest powers humans possess- the power of choice.

The community-based model developed by Demoiselle 2 Femme, NFP is an ecological approach which encourages the avoidance of at-risk behaviors as a strategy for success while equipping them with the hope of accomplishing their educational and professional goals through self-discipline, hard work, commitment and service to their community. D2F provides an array of health and education programs which address: HIV/AIDS, obesity, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and violence, as well as money management, leadership development, college access and S.T.E.M. (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) programming for girls.

Through the conduits of workshops, service learning, cultural activities, college visits, college admission assistance, personal development and leadership tours, young ladies are empowered to develop academic, social and career goals that challenge them to excel beyond their limitations and gain social mobility through self-sufficiency. To date, D2F has assisted more than 500 girls to become first-generation college graduates.