ChatterGirls Founder Honored for
Leadership in Youth Empowerment

On October 10th, ChatterGirls’ founder Alicia M. Birong, M.A., CLC, CHT was honored with a prestigious award from the Michigan Afterschool Association. The recognition celebrated Alicia’s “Extraordinary Leadership and Tireless Advocacy in Advancing and Enriching the Lives of Children in the Field of Out-of-School Time.”

The award highlights Alicia’s lifelong commitment to helping children, especially young girls—build confidence, emotional awareness, and leadership skills. Through ChatterGirls, she has created programs that help girls discover who they are, manage their emotions, and find their voice in a world that often tells them who to be.

Alicia received the award while speaking at the Michigan Afterschool Association Conference, where she presented her signature keynote, “Generation Alpha: Facing the Future with Facts, Foresight, and a Plan.” Her message centered on understanding the unique needs of today’s youngest generation and equipping educators, parents, and youth professionals with tools to support their development.

“This recognition means so much,” Alicia shared. “It’s a reflection of the work ChatterGirls does every day to empower girls to grow strong from the inside out. When we invest in their confidence and emotional health early, we’re shaping a stronger future for everyone.”

The entire ChatterGirls’ community celebrates Alicia for this well-deserved honor and the lasting impact she continues to make through her leadership, advocacy, and compassion for children everywhere.

ChatterGirls Receives Community Foundation Grant

⭐ What This Means for ChatterGirls

With this grant, we will be able to:
➕ Enhance our ChatterGirls programs to reach more girls in our community.
➕Provide additional training and tools for facilitators and mentors.
➕ Expand opportunities for parent and community engagement, building stronger networks of support for every girl.

❗ Why It Matters

This investment in ChatterGirls is not just about today—it’s about the future. By giving girls the skills to believe in themselves, overcome challenges, and lead with confidence, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

We are deeply grateful to The Community Foundation for McHenry County for recognizing the importance of our mission and standing alongside us in creating lasting change.

❤️ Together, we’re helping girls discover their voice, build their strength, and step boldly into their futures.

Community Foundation ChatterGirls grant.png

We are thrilled to share exciting news with our community—ChatterGirls has been selected to receive a Capacity Development Grant from The Community Foundation for McHenry County!

This incredible support will allow us to strengthen our programs, build new resources, and expand our impact in meaningful ways. Most importantly, it will help us continue our mission of empowering girls with the confidence, resilience, and self-awareness they need to thrive.

Bridging the Gap

ChatterGirls News, Updates, and Insights for Growing Stronger Together

When Confidence Crumbles: Recognizing the Signs of Self-Esteem Struggles

Help parents identify early warning signs of self-doubt, anxiety, or social withdrawal — and how to respond with connection, not correction. Twelve-year-old Maya used to bound through the front door after school, eager to share every detail of her day. Lately, though, she heads straight to her room, mumbles "fine" when asked how things went, and has stopped raising her hand in class—even in math, her favorite subject. Her mom wonders: Is this just a phase, or something more

7 min read

The Science of Self-Esteem: Why Early Intervention Matters

Break down research showing why middle childhood is the "sweet spot" for building resilience and emotional intelligence — before self-doubt and social comparison take hold. Between ages 8 and 14, something remarkable happens in your daughter's brain—and it creates a unique opportunity that won't last forever. Middle childhood, roughly ages 6 to 14, represents a pivotal developmental stage where children develop a sense of self-esteem and individuality according to CYC-Net . T

5 min read

Helping Your Tween Navigate Holiday Family Gatherings

The holidays can be joyful—but also overwhelming for tween girls who are still developing their sense of identity and confidence. Between big family gatherings, unfamiliar relatives, and endless questions (“How’s school?” “Do you have a boyfriend?”), it’s easy for a young girl to feel anxious, shy, or unsure of herself. Here are a few ways you can help your daughter feel grounded and confident this season: 1. Talk About What to Expect Before heading to a family event, talk th

2 min read

Give Thanks, Grow Strong: A 5-Week Gratitude Journey for Your Tween

A weekly gratitude practice from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve—with three unique prompts each week to build resilience, joy, and emotional awareness. The holiday season offers more than festive meals and wrapped presents. It provides a unique opportunity to help your daughter develop one of the most powerful tools for emotional wellness: gratitude. Previous research has established that gratitude reduces suicide risk in young adults by reducing depression and increasing