creating chrysalis after-school program 

EARLY 1990s

In the early 1990s, Terry Hernandez had applied for funding to start an after-school program for girls. This was during her career with the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and after she observed girls “hanging out” at the Riverfront YMCA, eager to find boyfriends. 

The grant wasn’t funded (based on the misunderstanding of the YMCA as a “men’s organization”), but through this effort, Terry met Senator Elaine Szymoniak through work together on a community project to prevent teen pregnancy. This was the connection to her being later hired as the foundation’s first director in 1997. 

The same year (1997),Chrysalis received a gift of $150,000 from longtime donor Melva Bucksbaum with her request to “start significant that will truly make a difference.” By this time, the board had developed an understanding of the challenges girls face at adolescence. 

Chrysalis board member Andi Gordon had been volunteering as a mentor to girls in local schools and expressed the importance of helping girls navigate the challenge of adolescence by connecting through schools. She recognized that there needed to be a program to help girls gain self-esteem and confidence, as well as skills that would keep them in school and prepare for their futures.  

Chrysalis convened local teachers, counselors, and administrators to consider whether an after-school program might make a difference for girls, and Chrysalis After-School was born. 

1998

Funded in in 1998 in 8 local middle schools, Louise Noun insisted the program be named “Chrysalis After-School for Young Women,” expressing the need to help girls feel valued as future women. An academic evaluator was also engaged to determine the program’s success. 

Over the years, Chrysalis tested new models including high school programs, special programs for girls in nontraditional schools, and programs based at local nonprofit organizations. It soon became clear that schools needed to host the program onsite in order to build girls’ connections to school as a safe and supportive environment. Each program added a nonprofit partner staff member in order to ensure program meets quality standards of 1 adult to every 15 girls. Programs can vary in size – most involve 15-35 girls – and all girls at the school are eligible. 

2007

By 2007, Chrysalis realized that it might be important to reach girls earlier than middle school, and 5th grade programs were funded in local elementary school sites. 

2012

And by 2012, Chrysalis added its GirlPower high school mentor program through a partnership with MercyOne, recruiting high school CAS alumni to learn and teach curriculum to younger girls. 

TODAY

The overwhelming success of Chrysalis After-School, now involving over 800 local girls and young women in 30 school sites, can be attributed to its remarkable and life-changing results. Our investment in curriculum development, training, supplies, activities, and evaluation has been made possible by friends like you - your investment of $1 a day - $365 – supports an entire year of participation for a Chrysalis After-School participant.  

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Chrysalis Foundation is currently accepting proposals for bookkeeping services. View the RFP and submission details here.