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OUR MISSIONWe help girls develop into women who achieve their dreams and fill the roles of leadership in this nation and world.
OUR VALUES
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OUR STORY
In 2012, our founder Joy Lindsay lost her younger sister, Kimberly Anyce Lindsay, to gun violence. Kimberly lived her life in service of others; she believed deeply in the power within each girl. Joy became determined to preserve her sister’s legacy.
She started by writing a children’s book, “When a Butterfly Choose to Fly,” that dealt with themes of sisterhood, loss, and change. Joy then shared the book with hundreds of students in Newark, New Jersey. On her school visits, she realized how many young women had stories of their own to tell. She wanted to help them do it. Joy saw that the writing process wouldn’t just be educational--it would be healing, empowering, and build a community of girls who were unafraid to raise their voices.
So Joy launched Butterfly Dreamz with that bold vision: to use stories to change lives and empower a generation of young female leaders. In honor of Kim, we would rally around the image of a fearless butterfly, and center around three goals--to live boldly, dream big, and fly high.
Joy formed our Advisory Board to help her execute her vision. Since our first program pilot in 2015, we have earned over $100,000 in outside funds, gained almost 3,000 social media followers, built over 50 partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses, and published 4 young adult books. More importantly, we frequently hear from our girls that we’re changing their lives. In the 2016-17 school year, 100% (6/6) of the seniors in our Girls Club pilot program secured admission into college (5/6) or a job training program (1/6). Additionally, 100% (15/15) of our program participants felt that the Girls Club program was instrumental in helping them set and achieve personal and scholastic goals, including increasing their GPAs, improving relationships with family members and friends, finding employment, and saving money. According to one of our students, “Butterfly Dreamz teaches girls that nothing is impossible.” That’s exactly how we want them to feel.
She started by writing a children’s book, “When a Butterfly Choose to Fly,” that dealt with themes of sisterhood, loss, and change. Joy then shared the book with hundreds of students in Newark, New Jersey. On her school visits, she realized how many young women had stories of their own to tell. She wanted to help them do it. Joy saw that the writing process wouldn’t just be educational--it would be healing, empowering, and build a community of girls who were unafraid to raise their voices.
So Joy launched Butterfly Dreamz with that bold vision: to use stories to change lives and empower a generation of young female leaders. In honor of Kim, we would rally around the image of a fearless butterfly, and center around three goals--to live boldly, dream big, and fly high.
Joy formed our Advisory Board to help her execute her vision. Since our first program pilot in 2015, we have earned over $100,000 in outside funds, gained almost 3,000 social media followers, built over 50 partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses, and published 4 young adult books. More importantly, we frequently hear from our girls that we’re changing their lives. In the 2016-17 school year, 100% (6/6) of the seniors in our Girls Club pilot program secured admission into college (5/6) or a job training program (1/6). Additionally, 100% (15/15) of our program participants felt that the Girls Club program was instrumental in helping them set and achieve personal and scholastic goals, including increasing their GPAs, improving relationships with family members and friends, finding employment, and saving money. According to one of our students, “Butterfly Dreamz teaches girls that nothing is impossible.” That’s exactly how we want them to feel.
OUR NAME
In Kim's honor, Butterfly represents courage, strength, and boldness, the same qualities we awaken in our girls through our books and programs. We spell Dreamz with a “z”. We know it’s different. We know it’s not spelled that way in the dictionary. Leadership means breaking with convention. Time and time again, the world tells our young women that they’re not meant for greatness. For centuries, the halls of power have looked a certain way--largely white and male. The young women of Butterfly Dreamz are stepping up and stepping in. Some will be uncomfortable. Some will say they just don’t “fit.” That they’re too loud, too bold, flying too high. We say--fly higher, get louder, be bolder. Make change.
OUR FOUNDER
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Joy Lindsay
Joy Lindsay is the Founder and Executive Director of Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. Under Joy's leadership, Butterfly Dreamz has designed and facilitated leadership programs for hundreds of students in Newark, NJ, connected dozens of girls to mentors and paid internships, awarded over $10,000 in scholarships, and published 5 young adult books. Joy has worked in consulting, finance, and public education management. She holds a BBA in Finance from Howard University and an MPA in Nonprofit Management & Policy from NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Philip’s Academy Charter School in Newark, is an alumna of the Leadership Newark Fellowship program, and is a proud member of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Joy is passionate about education and has worked with youth in various capacities, including as a mentor, coach, and facilitator of enrichment programs, for more than eleven years. As she continues her work, Joy hopes to use her diverse skills and background to ensure all children have equitable access to quality education and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. |
