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The Tea on Body Pollution Workshop (Newark)

4/18/2025

Happy Friday, Cocoon Club! See the flyer and details for an upcoming workshop in Newark, NJ: The Tea on Body Pollution: How Toxic Chemicals Impact Our Bodies and Environment

This hands-on session will empower participants to recognize harmful ingredients in everyday products and create their own non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives to take home.

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: 1067 1/2 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07112

RSVP Form: forms.office.com/r/rKvSaVTS8d
Space is limited – early registration is encouraged!

RSVP TODAY

Summer Internships at Butterfly Dreamz

4/12/2025

Hey there, Butterfly Dreamz fam!
This summer we're offering internship programs for high school students and recent high school graduates in three cities: Chicago, IL; Newark, NJ; and Gary, IN. 😎

About the Internship
Our Community Development Internship is an enriching and educational 5-week paid internship program focused on community-based
participatory research (CBPR) and community health. Interns will develop and apply
their STEAM skills, facilitate community wellness programs, and engage in research
projects that serve over 1,500 youth and families across Gary, Chicago, and Newark. To learn more, check out our intern job description.

How to Apply
High school students and recent high school graduates in Gary, IN, Chicago, IL, and Newark, NJ are welcome to apply for our paid summer internships—this includes incoming 9th graders. We partner with various organizations across our three cities to make sure our students have a fun and impactful summer. Because of our diverse partnerships, each city has a different application process. Please see the city-specific instructions below and follow the guidelines for your location.

If you need assistance, please contact our Program Manager, Dominque Henderson, at [email protected].

CHICAGO, IL: Complete the CPS 2025 Summer Career Readiness Interest Form. When the CPS staff follows up with you about next steps, let them know you are interested in being placed at Butterfly Dreamz as your summer worksite.
NEWARK, NJ: Complete the Newark Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Application. When the Newark One Stop staff follows up with you about next steps, let them know you are interested in being placed at Butterfly Dreamz as your summer worksite.
GARY, IN: Complete our Community Development Summer Internship Interest Form. After we receive your submission, our staff will be in touch with you soon about next steps.

We look forward to spending the summer with you!

The SASH Lab at Yale Summer Youth Research Program (DUE MAY 12TH)

4/12/2025

The SASH Lab at Yale’s Summer Youth Research Program is officially open for applications!

This program is designed for passionate teens (ages 14–18) living in New Jersey who want to explore public health, AI/machine learning, and substance use prevention. It includes 6 weeks of hands-on learning from The SASH Lab research staff, public health experts and data scientists. Including free daily lunch and a trip to Yale University!

Dates: June 30 – August 7
Location: for accessibility, we will be hosting the class at Montclair State University
Deadline to apply: May 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Learn More & Apply

Chicago Youth Summer Jobs Application Support

4/1/2025

Know a young person in Chicago who needs a summer job? Invite them to our upcoming Youth Job Readiness Sessions! We're collaborating with some of our amazing Chicago-based community partners to assist youth with their summer jobs application. 👩🏾‍💻

See the flyer below for details!

Understanding Trans Day of Visibility: A Q&A Guide for Students

3/31/2025

Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), observed annually on March 31, is a day to celebrate transgender and non-binary people while raising awareness about the discrimination they face. Below, we answer common questions to help students learn about this important day and how to support the trans community.

What is Trans Day of Visibility?
Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is a global celebration of transgender and non-binary individuals. Created in 2009 by activist Rachel Crandall, the day highlights the joy, resilience, and contributions of trans people (10) (12). Unlike Trans Day of Remembrance (which mourns lives lost to anti-trans violence), TDOV focuses on empowerment, education, and visibility (7) (9).

Why is TDOV important?
Visibility matters because transgender people often face systemic discrimination. For example:

Over 2 million transgender people live in the U.S., yet 1 in 3 Black trans people report living in extreme poverty (9).
In 2023 alone, 513 anti-trans bills were introduced in the U.S., many targeting healthcare access for trans youth (11).
TDOV combats stigma by showcasing trans stories and achievements, fostering empathy, and inspiring allyship (2) (6.)

How is TDOV different from Pride Month?
While Pride Month (June) celebrates the entire LGBTQ+ community, TDOV specifically centers transgender and non-binary voices. It’s a day to uplift trans artists, activists, and everyday heroes whose stories are often overlooked (10) (12).

What challenges do transgender people face?
Transgender individuals, especially Black trans women, encounter disproportionate levels of discrimination:

Violence: Black trans women face higher rates of fatal violence due to racism and transphobia (9) (13).
School Climate: Compared to other students in the LGBTQ community, transgender and nonbinary students face more hostile school climates (4).
Censorship: Nearly half of banned books in 2023 featured LGBTQ+ or BIPOC characters (15).

How can I support transgender peers?

Use correct names and pronouns. Always respect how someone identifies. If you’re unsure, ask politely: “What pronouns do you use?” Never out someone without their consent (2) (4).
Speak up against bullying. If you hear transphobic jokes or slurs, say something. Silence can make others feel unsafe. Use phrases like: “That’s not okay” or “Why would you say that?” (2) (7).
Educate yourself. Read books by trans authors (e.g., Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe or Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon) (10). Follow trans creators on social media to learn directly from their experiences (11).

What symbols represent TDOV?

Transgender Pride Flag: Designed by Monica Helms in 1999, its stripes represent masculinity (blue), femininity (pink), and non-binary identities (white)(6).
#TransRightsReadathon: A movement to amplify trans stories and donate to trans-led organizations (11).

How can schools celebrate TDOV?

Normalize pronoun sharing. Teachers and students can wear pronoun buttons (e.g., “she/her,” “they/them”) to create an inclusive environment (5) (8).
Highlight trans trailblazers. Discuss historical figures like Marsha P. Johnson (a Black trans activist at Stonewall) or contemporary role models like Laverne Cox (3) (6).
Host workshops. Invite trans speakers or screen documentaries like Disclosure to explore trans representation in media (12).

What if I make a mistake?
It’s okay! Apologize briefly (“Sorry, I meant ‘they’”), correct yourself, and move on. Over-apologizing can make the situation about your feelings instead of theirs (2) (14).

Where can I learn more?

GLSEN: Offers guides for trans-inclusive schools (14).
Stonewall UK: Debunks myths about trans people (16).
Point of Pride: Shares self-care resources for trans youth (11).

Final Thoughts
TDOV reminds us that everyone deserves to live authentically. As activist Sage Grace Dolan-Sandrino says: “Trans people are extraordinary, strong, and resilient. We still have hope” (17). By learning, listening, and advocating, we can all help build a world where trans peers feel seen, safe, and celebrated.

"It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist." --Laverne Cox

Howard University School of Business Summer Enrichment Program

2/13/2025

This free, residential program (July 13–18, 2025) offers high school juniors and seniors immersive exposure to business fields like Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Actuarial Science, and Information Systems. Participants engage in faculty-led workshops, corporate site visits, and collaborative projects while developing critical professional skills.

Early application deadline: March 1, 2025 | Regular deadline: April 1, 2025.
Letter of recommendation required.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

2025 Princeton Summer Journalism Program (Due Feb 24th)

1/24/2025

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) offers an exceptional opportunity for high school juniors from lower-income backgrounds to explore journalism while preparing for college success. This comprehensive, tuition-free program features a hybrid summer intensive culminating in a 10-day residential experience at Princeton University, where students learn from distinguished professors and professional journalists, visit newsrooms, and publish their own newspaper.

Beyond journalism training, PSJP provides invaluable one-on-one college application guidance throughout participants' senior year, including support with personal statements, financial aid applications, and college selection. The program welcomes students with or without prior journalism experience who are passionate about storytelling, social issues, and making an impact through media.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

The Hidden Cost of Beauty Webinar (Feb 3rd)

1/12/2025

Clean Water Action in New Jersey is hosting an upcoming webinar, The Hidden Costs of Beauty: Understanding the Impacts of Toxic Products on Women of Color. They’ll be discussing the health risks of harmful chemicals marketed disproportionately to Black women and girls and how we can push for safer, more inclusive practices.
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom on Monday, February 3rd, from 6-7:30 PM EST. Click the button below to learn more & RSVP.

If you have questions, please get in touch with X Braithwaite, Environmental Justice Organizer at Clear Water Action: [email protected].

LEARN MORE & RSVP

Rutgers Community Convos ($30 gift certificate)

11/3/2024

Rutgers University is hosting virtual community conversations for teen girls and young women (under 21 years old) in Northern New Jersey, and they're giving $30 gift certificates to participants! Check out the flyer for more details. Sign up by this Thursday, November 7th.

$40,000 Ron Brown Scholarship Program (DUE DEC 1ST)

10/26/2024

The Ron Brown Scholarship Program (RBSP) honors Ronald H. Brown by awarding 20-25 four-year scholarships worth $40,000 to intellectually gifted and economically challenged Black/African American high school seniors committed to public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship.

Recipients may use the scholarships at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States, regardless of their field of study. Since its inception in 1996, 634 students have become Ron Brown Scholars. Eligible applicants must be Black/African American, US citizens or permanent residents, and high school seniors. Apply now!

LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW

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