- Reproductive health and safe-sex education
- Birth control, contraception, and emergency contraception education
- HIV/STI prevention, testing referrals, and prevention supplies
- Information about abortion access, reproductive rights, and qualified healthcare providers
- Referrals to clinics and affordable healthcare programs
- Free condoms and Plan B through partner organizations
- Contraceptive access through licensed healthcare partners
Proposed Filipina-founded community initiative · Chicago, Illinois
Magdalena
Kalinga at Karapatan para sa Kababaihan, Kabataan, at Iba’t Ibang Kasarian
Care and rights for women, youth, and people of all genders
Photo of Brigitte
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The Heart Behind Magdalena
Originally from the Philippines, Brigitte grew up surrounded by values that emphasize family, compassion, and mutual support.
Her mother’s generosity, even during difficult times, taught her to show up for people when they need it. Her nanny, a public health worker respected across their neighborhood, showed her what dedicated community service looks like.
After immigrating to the United States, Brigitte learned firsthand what it takes to adapt to a new place and navigate different cultures. Those experiences shaped her belief that caring for others should extend beyond personal relationships and into the communities people call home.
Today she is pursuing a combined bachelor’s and master’s in Public Policy, with a minor in Criminology, at DePaul University.
The goal is not simply to establish an organization, but to help cultivate a community where care is accessible, rights are respected, and no one has to navigate difficult circumstances alone.
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What Is Magdalena?
Magdalena is a proposed Filipino-founded, Chicago-based community nonprofit that connects women, youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and underserved communities with accessible health education, community resources, and support.
Our work is rooted in Filipino values of care and community, and our programs are open to everyone. We aim to create a culturally responsive, judgment-free space where people can find information and resources without shame or discrimination.
Kalinga
care, protection, and support
Karapatan
rights
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Mission
To empower Filipino women, youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and underserved communities, with particular care for Filipino communities, through reproductive health education, healthcare resources, violence prevention, and inclusive community outreach.
Vision
Topics like reproductive health, contraception, HIV/STI prevention, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ identity are still hard to talk about for many people because of cultural stigma, misinformation, financial barriers, or fear of judgment.
We envision a community where anyone can ask, learn, and find affordable, culturally responsive care, and where trusted providers and organizations are only one connection away.
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Our Values
Kalinga
Care
Karapatan
Rights
Kalusugan
Health
Ligtas
Safety
Malaya
Freedom
Kalingang Bayan
Community Care
05
Our Proposed Programs
Open to women, youth, and LGBTQ+ people of all backgrounds, with a focus on Filipino and Filipino-American communities.
- Domestic violence awareness and healthy relationship education
- Workshops on consent, boundaries, and recognizing abuse
- Referrals to licensed counselors, shelters, and legal aid
- Culturally responsive support for Filipino survivors and LGBTQ+ individuals
- Age-appropriate prevention education for youth through qualified partners
- LGBTQ+ awareness and anti-discrimination education
- Safe community gatherings and peer support
- Referrals to affirming mental health and healthcare providers
- Resources for families learning to support LGBTQ+ loved ones
- Workshops on identity, expression, and respectful relationships
- Resource navigation for formerly incarcerated individuals and veterans
- Housing, food, employment, and benefits referrals
- Community events and social connection for older adults
- Intergenerational Filipino community programs
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Our Approach
Education, resource navigation, and voluntary participation, working alongside trusted providers rather than replacing them.
What we do
- Offer education on reproductive health, safe sex, consent, and healthy relationships
- Connect people to clinics, testing, counselors, shelters, and legal aid
- Help people access contraceptives through licensed healthcare partners
- Host judgment-free workshops, resource fairs, and community events
- Partner with existing community organizations
What we don’t do
- Provide individual counseling
- Prescribe or dispense prescription medication on our own
- Ask participants to disclose sensitive experiences
Your privacy and safety
We know these topics can be deeply personal. Magdalena will set clear confidentiality guidelines, keep programming discreet, and handle participant information with respect. Some workshops may ask participants to agree to keep what’s shared in the room. Confidentiality does have legal and safety limits, including mandatory reporting requirements, and we will always explain them up front.
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Current Stage & Future Goals
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Now · Fall 2026
Building the foundation
Forming a small founding team in Chicago and researching evidence-based practices and potential community partners.
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Year one
Partnerships & a pilot event
Developing partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations, then hosting a pilot community health and resource event with:
- Sexual health education workshop
- Contraception & affordable care info
- HIV/STI prevention resources
- LGBTQ+ community resources
- Anonymous question box
- Partner resource tables
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Looking ahead
Growing with the community
Using community feedback to expand into violence prevention, LGBTQ+ support, and broader community services.
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Get Involved
Want to join the initiative? We’re looking for people who care about their community, whether you want to volunteer, partner with us, or simply stay in the loop.
We only use your name and email to reach out about Magdalena. We will never share them.