Englewood Girl Scout Troop 26286 Works to Sell 2,100 Cookie Boxes to Support Local Girls

 In Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, where resources and extracurricular opportunities are often limited, Girl Scout Troop 26286 is making a difference this cookie season by providing a safe and empowering space for young girls to learn and grow. Based near Hope Manor II and Hope Manor Village, a veterans housing community operated by Volunteers of America Illinois, the troop serves as a vital outlet for girls in one of the city’s highest-need areas.

Founded five years ago, Troop 26286 was created to address the lack of structured programs for young girls in the neighborhood. The troop offers participants a supportive environment where they can develop life skills, foster friendships, and gain confidence through activities that emphasize personal growth and community engagement. “The VOA Illinois Girl Scout troop consists of young girls who live at Hope Manor II/Hope Manor Village and provides a safe space to learn, grow, and thrive in a community,” said Bridget Hickey, head of resource development at Volunteers of America Illinois.

This cookie season, the troop has set an ambitious goal: selling 2,100 boxes to cover membership fees and sustain the program for future participants. The sale of cookies goes beyond fundraising; it teaches the girls essential skills in goal setting, communication, and entrepreneurship. Hickey emphasized the impact, noting, “The girls are able to learn life skills and build lifelong relationships,” highlighting how participation shapes not only practical abilities but also character and resilience.

Community involvement has been a crucial part of the troop’s success. Local residents, businesses, and supporters have rallied behind the young scouts, ensuring that financial challenges do not limit the girls’ opportunities. Each cookie sale represents more than a transaction—it symbolizes community support, encouragement, and investment in the next generation of leaders from Englewood.

For many of these girls, the troop provides an experience they might not otherwise have access to: structured programming, mentorship, and a safe environment to express themselves. In neighborhoods facing economic and social challenges, programs like Troop 26286 serve as both a stabilizing presence and a source of inspiration, showing girls that their potential can flourish with guidance, opportunity, and encouragement.

As Troop 26286 works toward its cookie-selling goal, the story of these young Girl Scouts resonates as a reminder of the power of community-driven programs. By fostering confidence, life skills, and meaningful connections, the troop ensures that each girl has the chance to grow, thrive, and make a positive impact in her neighborhood—and beyond.