Message From Our Founder

2008-11-30T06:17:00.000-08:00

For me, being a teenager was one of the most difficult times in my life. There were bumps and swift turns and so many ups and downs that, at times, I worried about fitting in. I felt like I was always faced with tough decisions to make. I was torn between figuring out who I was and dealing with the many issues that teenagers face. As most teenage girls are, I was often preoccupied with what I wore, how I looked, and who my friends were.

There were so many opportunities for me to choose the wrong path, hang out with the wrong crowd, and practice the defiant behaviors that would drive my parents crazy. Sex, drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and lack of self-esteem were among the issues that teenagers faced when I was growing up. I must admit that I didn't always make the right choices, but I eventually got it right. I unlike many teenage girls had a support system compiled of relatives, family friends and several "fairy godmothers" to assist me in my quest.

I established the Tres Chic Foundation in 2006 to assist teenage girls who face challenges and roadblocks like I did. I believe that together we can make a difference and have a substantial impact in steering our teenage girls toward successful life paths. I want to be part of making a difference, so I have dedicated my life to empowering and enriching the lives of girls.

I challenge you to assist me on this new journey by taking the time to mentor a teenage girl, this can be an outing to the mall, library or museum. However you choose to impact their lives, please know that you are making a difference!

Kindest Regards
Kishana L. Holland
Founder & Director, The Tres Chic Foundation

Goals & Objectives

2008-10-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

Build Self-Esteem and Confidence in teenage girls ages 11-17 by developing and implementing an assessment tool that will assist the foundation in designing and carrying out programs and services that will meet the specific needs of each girl registered in our program; while at the same time providing us with a tool to measure our success.

Improve Methods of Communication by encouraging candid and open dialogue among teenage girls of diverse backgrounds while exposing them to various medians of communication: internet discussion forums, daily journal writing, radio and television programs, newspaper articles, and newsletters that foster and cultivate relationships with mentors and others to facilitate a nurturing transition from adolescence to woman hood.

Provide Educational and Professional Development by making tutorial services available to enhance and/or improve the girls’ willingness and ability to learn. Additionally, we want to work with professionals in the field on an ongoing basis to develop and support workshops and seminars that stimulate career development.

Provide Social and Cultural Awareness by providing the girls with the opportunity to interact and socialize with girls from different cultures, races, and social economic backgrounds. In doing so, we hope to tear down stereotypes and negative behaviors in efforts to build bridges and resolve conflicts for better understanding and community relationships. We will discuss various issues that impact their lives and well-being and provide opportunities to expose them to music and the arts.

Promote and Encourage Healthy Life Styles by teaching the girls to focus on three aspects: Mind, Body, and Spirit; while providing them with various camps and activities that have workshops and seminars designed to get the girls active in sports, weight management, nutrition, and image development. The girls will also participate in mini workshops with health care professionals who will address various issues identified by the youth in the assessment tool.

Promote Volunteerism through creating opportunities for the girls to participate and give back to the community by partnering and coordinating activities with other non-profit organizations such as shelters, hospital, nursing homes, and the like to stimulate community awareness.

Develop and Implement an Awards and Incentive Program that will teach the girls responsibility and accountability for their own actions, achievements, and accomplishments.

Identify Partnerships by collaborating with other entities with similar purposes in efforts to avoid duplication of endeavors and to strengthen the communities.