May 5th 2024.
Back when Chez Smith was working as an administrator at Cook County's Fantus Clinic in Chicago, she noticed that many women and girls were struggling to afford basic necessities. She also saw a need for education about sexuality and contraception, as well as guidance for navigating life in general. With a desire to help, Chez, who hails from Chicago Heights, decided to take action and started a mobile center called Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. in 2017. This center traveled to different locations, including schools, to offer free hygiene kits and reproductive education.
To help run the operation, Chez hired Venisha Bonds, a resident of Dolton who had been one of her most dedicated volunteers. As the program grew, they added a shelter, grocery pantry, and specialized programs such as Birds, Bees and Beyond for girls ages 9 to 11 and Degrees B4 Diapers for ages 12 to 21. But above all, they always made sure to offer emotional support to those in need.
Chez explained that the range of programs offered by Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. was a direct response to the "negative health outcomes" she often saw at Fantus Clinic, which unfortunately closed in 2018. She chose to focus on women and girls because she noticed a disparity in the way society perceives and treats genders when it comes to sexuality. She said, "In the community, when girls become sexually active or are learning about their bodies, they're often judged, as opposed to when boys start having sex. It's a huge double standard and it made me just want to do something about it."
One of the latest initiatives from Chez and Venisha is a free program to train women to work in the phlebotomy field. This caught the attention of the American Red Cross, who named them Blood Services Heroes. They will be honored at the 22nd Annual Heroes Breakfast on May 14th. Celena Roldan Sarillo, the CEO of the American Red Cross of Illinois, praised Chez and Venisha, saying, "Chez and Venisha's dedication to training young women as phlebotomists not only uplifts the individuals but strengthens the community by preparing them to excel in the critical healthcare field of blood collection."
Chez shared that the program had received over 65 applications, but they were only able to fund education for six individuals. The program provided everything for free, including tuition, books, medical scrubs, and the state boards for certification. Three women successfully completed the rigorous program at PulseFinders Healthcare Institute and scored high on the certification test.
"We found out a lot of people were working, but just underemployed," Chez said. "Their wages just weren't matching the current cost of living."
Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. also opened a storefront in Grand Crossing last year, offering a safe haven for many girls and women. One of the people they have helped is 18-year-old Tempest Robinson. She first encountered Chez and Venisha when they visited her high school with hygiene kits. Impressed by their mission, Tempest decided to volunteer with the group and has been doing so for about a year now. She helps put together hygiene kits, sorts donations, and assists people who come in for diapers. "I just thought this was my way of helping them and giving back to them for helping us," said Tempest, who lives in the Chatham neighborhood of Chicago. "They give really good advice. I love coming here. They're like my two moms."
Venisha was also a passionate volunteer before being hired at Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. She shared, "I was a teen mom myself, so I understood what a struggle these girls were having. I think the biggest thing was supporting [Chez] and the mission. I saw her vision." Venisha had previously worked at various healthcare institutions, but she felt it was time to follow her heart and make a difference in the lives of women and girls.
She added, "These young girls come in feeling broken. We give them hugs, talk to them - not at them, allow them to decompress, talk, cry and then we're able to talk about the next steps and how we can assist them. I love to see the transformation. Instead of their heads down, their heads are up."
Through their programs and services, Chez and Venisha are truly making a positive impact in their community and helping women and girls thrive. Their dedication and compassion have not gone unnoticed, and they will be recognized for their efforts at the upcoming Heroes Breakfast. Janice Neumann, a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown, shared their inspiring story with readers.
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