GIRL TALK ISÖ Girl Talk is a weekly program for girls incarcerated at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JDIC), located above the Juvenile Court in Chicago. The girls, ages 12-17, are primarily African American, Latina and poor. Many of them are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and have educational and mental health needs. Most have been charged with non-violent criminal offenses (theft, property damage and simple battery, drug possession or delivery). They are either waiting for a hearing or trial in the juvenile court, waiting for placement or transfer to the Department of Corrections after being found guilty or waiting to be transferred to the adult criminal court. The girls may be detained for periods of several days, several months, or up to a year. The young women follow a strict regimen. Every moment of the day is planned and privacy is non-existent. There are numerous rules and restrictions regarding what they can do and say, how they can say it and to whom. In order for young women to develop, they need to be listened to, supported, challenged, and intellectually stimulated. Girl Talk seeks to present information in such a way that the girls learn and feel empowered to use what they have learned, and to discover the power of their voices and how to use them- for themselves and as advocates for change. Girl Talk seeks to create a space where girls can learn from each other, share their concerns and voice their opinions on a myriad of topics. Toward that end, Girl Talk has the following goals: -Girls will feel a sense of community with other girls and women -Girls will develop their self-awareness, confidence and leadership skills -Girls will feel free to express their concerns about their lives and seek out information to help them make better choices. -Girls will questions societal norms and values regarding women and craft more positive images of themselves. Ultimately, we want the girls to be able to recognize their own value and the value of other women; be familiar with the existing supports and resources in their communities and know how to access them, and to encourage them to be advocates around issues that are important to their lives and their communities.