Name: Jessica Palmert
Jessica Palmert serves as the Girl World Coordinator at Alternatives, Inc. a not-for-profit youth and family services agency.
Girl World has built upon the strengths and creativity of young women ages 8 – 18 in the Rogers Park, Edgewater, and Uptown communities since 1996. Their innovative after-school programs provide the tools for self-determination and the safe space for young women to engage in positive self-expression. Girl World advocates for young women’s voices to be heard and validated and empowers them to take leadership roles within their communities. For more information about Girl World and other Chicago youth and family services programs visit www.alternativesyouth.org
Jessica graduated from Loyola University Chicago and lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
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Who inspires you?
Jane Adams, Malcolm X, the young women I work with -
What are the biggest obstacles to peace?
People not being able or willing to learn about other people’s lives, obstacles, and strengths. It takes a lot to really go beyond your own comfort zone and really try to understand someone else… until we see each other as humans with similar emotions, dreams, and struggles I don’t feel like we will ever progress. -
What is the biggest challenge your organization faces?
Funding. Too much money is spend jailing, killing, and marginalizing people in our society rather than educating, nurturing, and empowering our human family members. -
Describe for us a typical day.
I facilitate conversations on social justice topics with young women ages 14-18 years old. I work to empower the young women to ask critical questions about themselves, their communities and their culture and together we work toward social change. -
How do you get the news?
National Public Radio and the Internet -
How do you nurture your faith life?
Art, meditation, conversations, nature, and solitude. -
What advice would you give the next generation of church and civic leaders?
Visit cultures that are different from your own, immerse yourself in other countries, cultures, and neighborhoods so that when you come home you can see your own life with more clarity and you can be more compassionate towards other. -
Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t know.
I love to read, make art, and snuggle with my baby boy. -
Last good book you read?
TRUTH AND BEAUTY -
Last good movie you saw?
Born into Brothels -
What were you like in High School?
I loved theater, could run the mile in gym, and took every art class offered. I wore thrift shop clothes and spoke my mind freely both in and out of the classroom. I created a semester long volunteer opportunity for myself that allowed me to leave school in the morning once a week to work at an “inner city” school teaching art. I loved it. -
If you were a teenage Peacebuilder you would…
travel, read a lot, and volunteer at as many non-profit organizations as you can. -
What is your favorite comfort food?
PIZZA -
Share a favorite quote that inspires you.
Do something creative everyday…
