Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. Foundation
Our Story and Founder
The origin of Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. is grounded in the needs of our target population of young Black women, meeting their immediate direct needs so other types of development and health can be addressed.
Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. Foundations’ core principles are HEALTHY, OPTIMISTIC, OUTSTANDING, AND DETERMINED (H.O.O.D.), and are integrated through our programs which revolve around sexual health education, community service, and excellence recognition.
Photograph by Ross Feighery
Chez Smith
Chez Smith founded Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. in 2017 to provide reproductive health education and supplies to teen gyrls in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. For the Englewood native, it was personal. Smith, now 44, was raised by her grandparents—her grandmother died when she was in high school. “I was definitely not comfortable talking to my grandfather about periods,” she says. Chez has worked on numerous Public Health initiatives throughout her career, including as an Administrative Director of the Division of Family Planning Services.
Smith was inspired to create H.O.O.D. House after one of her teen clients shared with her that she was struggling to make her appointments as she was homeless and sleeping in the park—driving home how impossible it is for a gyrl to do anything else before she has a home.
Venisha Bonds
Venisha Bonds is a healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience. Her passion for helping gyrls is unmatched. Venisha was a long time volunteer with Gyrls in the H.O.O.D., and we are lucky to have her now as a full-time staff member!
