About us

The Tween Esteem Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping Chicago tweens recapture their confidence through authenticity and art.

Following two successful years of programming, a total of 20 Chicago tweens (ages 11-13) will be selected to participate in our 2025 cohort (small group).

Each tween will join in group education and activities facilitated by a mix of youth development professionals, mental health professionals, and industry experts. With the goal of developing a self-love mindset and adopting a healthy relationship with social media, each participant will also co-create a self-care pledge with a trusted adult in their life. The pledge will serve as a commitment to practice positive-self talk, celebrate body positivity, and apply media literacy skills when consuming online content. To celebrate their commitment, the six-month learning experience ends with individual luxury portrait sessions. Each tween will then have a single image featured in a public-facing gallery show. 

Example curriculum

• Developing a personal brand

• Practicing self-care

• Social media literacy

• Fashion and style as a career

• Makeup as a career

Time commitment

Over the course of six months beginning on March 2, participants will meet in person twice per month for approximately 2.5 hours (5 hours per month). On some program dates, an optional track for adults will take place simultaneously at a nearby location. Only participants who meet the 80% attendance requirement will be eligible for the photoshoot session.

What participants receive

• Luxury photoshoot with a team of professionals

• Three digital images

• Engaging educational events featuring youth development professionals, mental health professionals, and industry experts to inspire each tween’s career path

• Access to the arts, including cultural experiences

• Access to Tween Esteem’s network of industry professionals
  
  The value of the total experience is more than $3,000, but there is no cost to families. All participant seats are fully funded by our generous donors.

Eligibility to apply

• Be between 11-13 years of age or currently in grades 5th-8th

• Be currently seeking to improve your relationship with yourself (examples might include struggling with or recovering from bullying; disordered eating; illness; trauma; negative body image; low perception of self; identity crisis)

• Attend a Chicago Public School or live within Chicago city limits

• Live in a household where a luxury portrait photography session (valued around $2,500) is outside the budget

Requirements to apply

• Complete Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale assessment

• Parent or guardian must sign photo release agreeing to have image featured in a variety of marketing, including a public-facing gallery show

• Agree to actively participate in the six-month Project, including completing surveys and attending events (illness and emergencies notwithstanding)

• Agree to continue completing surveys over time so that Project outcomes can be measured and tracked

Deadline to apply: January 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT

Contact us with any additional questions.