As a Board Member of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission, Dr. Debra Upshaw has reviewed many grant applications from groups helping to improve the quality of life on Joliet’s east side.

Last year, one application struck her because it mirrored closely the mission of the National Hook-Up of Black Women – Joliet.

“Spirited In Success (SIS) is a girls’ empowerment nonprofit dedicated to developing confident, self-aware, and purpose-driven young leaders,” said Pam Barton, SIS founder.

“Through structured, cohort-based mentorship, SIS provides a safe and affirming environment where girls build self-esteem, strengthen leadership skills, learn about mental wellness, physical health, self-care, financial literacy, academic preparedness, career readiness and empowerment.”

Upshaw said National Hook-Up of Black Women is dedicated to improving the lives of women and their families through support of the arts, culture, education, health and wellness, and human service programs.

“We want to give these young women a hand up to become successful in their futures,” she said.

Excited about the prospects for partnership, Upshaw hooked up with Barton and offered them space at their headquarters at 1705 Richards St., Joliet, for their various programs.

“By allowing us to use their building every other Wednesday for eight 2-hour sessions, plus the in-kind donation of $800, they have provided a safe, welcoming and empowering space for our girls to gather, learn and grow,” Barton said.

“This partnership has been instrumental in helping us carry out our mission, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to supporting programs that uplift and empower our community. We are truly thankful for their continued generosity and belief in the work we do.”

The Silver Cross HCC Board doubled down on that belief by awarding SIS a $5,950 grant last year to help achieve its goals to mentor young women.

The Silver Cross HCC was launched by Silver Cross Hospital in 2008 as a not-for-profit committed to creating a stronger, healthier future by providing support for education, workforce development training and enrichment activities for youth, to improve the quality of life on Joliet’s east side.

Since 2008, the Commission has awarded over $3.7 million in educational scholarships, workforce development, and quality of life grants to numerous east-side Joliet residents and organizations such as SIS.

“Your investment directly supports holistic development opportunities focused on mental health awareness, physical wellness, self-care practices, financial literacy, academic achievement, career readiness and personal empowerment,” Barton said in thanking the Silver Cross HCC Board.

“Your partnership does more than fund programs. It fuels confidence. It affirms worth. It creates access. It ensures that our girls know they belong in every room they enter.”

Specifically, Barton said, the grant helped mentor 14 girls, each of whom engaged in interactive workshops, mentorship sessions and community-building experiences designed to reinforce SIS core initiatives, including increased mental health awareness, stronger peer connections and improved relationship awareness, greater understanding of leadership and personal accountability, and increased awareness of financial literacy, budgets and goals.

“Feedback from mentees and families reflected noticeable growth in self-expression, decision-making and overall confidence,” Barton said. “Participants demonstrated an increased ability to articulate who they are and what they aspire to become, evidence of meaningful internal transformation.”

Leslie Newbon, Silver Cross Community Relations and Marketing Manager, who facilitates the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission, was delighted with the results of the grant to SIS.

“The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission is thrilled and incredibly proud to support the transformative work of Spirited In Success,” she said.

“This program is a wonderful example of what happens when passion meets purpose. By inspiring young girls to become the highest versions of themselves, Spirited In Success is building a foundation for lifelong confidence and achievement.”

To learn more about the Silver Cross Healthy Communities Commission, visit silvercross.org/about/caring-community/healthy-community/