She can see herself in
your future.
MakeHerSpace pairs 40 young women in Central Illinois with female professionals for six months of 1:1 mentoring, hands-on STEM workshops, and real conversations about what's possible. Your gift makes it happen — at no cost to families.
We're building something we've never had in Central Illinois before: a dedicated, research-backed program that gives young women real access to the women they could become.
The need is urgent. Girls' interest in STEM drops sharply around age 15 — and unlike other subjects, it rarely comes back. But the research is also clear: the single most effective intervention is sustained, personal connection with a woman who already works in these fields.
That's the entire design of MakeHerSpace. Forty girls. Forty mentors. Six months of real relationship. Hands-on workshops. And a community showcase in October where every participant gets to show what she discovered about herself.
We've built the program. We've secured the space. We're matching mentors now. What we need from community partners like you is the financial foundation that ensures not a single family ever has to wonder if they can afford to say yes.
Every dollar you give goes directly to program delivery — workshops, materials, background checks, and the events that make this program feel like what it is: a real investment in a real girl's future.
Cohort 1 launches in April 2026. There are 40 spots. There is one chance to be part of the beginning.
than you think.
The data on girls and STEM is consistent and alarming — and the research points directly at what works.
The age at which girls' interest in STEM drops off. Unlike humanities, it doesn't come back.
Microsoft / London School of Economics · 11,500 girls surveyedof teen girls ages 13–17 say they're interested in a STEM career — down from 11% just a year prior.
Junior Achievement / Engine Research, 2019of female engineering students with a female mentor completed an internship, vs. 61% of those without one.
Nature Communications / UMass Amherst, 2025Girls encouraged by a role model and a parent are twice as likely to stay in STEM long-term.
Microsoft / KRC Research · 6,000+ girls surveyedof both mentors and mentees report feeling more empowered and confident through the mentoring relationship.
Moving Ahead / Deloitteof women in STEM attribute their career success directly to having a mentor or network of support.
Cigna ResearchGirls don't leave STEM because they can't do the work.
They leave because they can't see themselves in it.
the evidence says works.
Six months. One mentor per girl. No curriculum to teach. Just real relationship — sustained long enough to matter.
1:1 Mentoring
Every participant gets her own dedicated mentor — not a group leader, not a rotating volunteer. Her mentor. Meeting twice a month for six months.
STEM Workshops
Hands-on workshops across four tracks: programming & robotics, science & healthcare, engineering, and arts & design — led by community partners.
Fully Scholarshipped
Every seat is fully funded. No cost to families. No application fee. No income threshold. If she's in, she's in — completely.
Community Showcase
The program wraps in October with a public showcase where participants present what they learned, what surprised them, and where they're headed next.
Mentor recruitment, background checks, and onboarding. Participant enrollment across five school districts.
Mentors and mentees meet for the first time. Cohort 1 officially begins.
Monthly workshop sessions alongside bi-monthly mentor meetings. Real conversations, real relationships.
Participants present to the community. Mentors leave as advocates. We begin planning Cohort 2.
100% of community partner gifts go directly to program delivery. No administrative overhead. No padding.
Workshop Materials & Supplies
Hands-on STEM kits, robotics components, science lab consumables, and arts & design materials for all four workshop tracks.
Background Checks
Provided at no cost to mentors. Every mentor is screened before connecting with a participant.
Program Events
Kick-Off Night in April, the October Celebration Showcase, and any additional community gatherings throughout the cohort.
Mentor Onboarding
Conversation guides, notecard kits, Slack workspace setup, and the onboarding session that prepares mentors for success.
Meals & Hospitality
Pizza nights, workshops snacks, and event catering — because real conversations happen around real food.
Outreach & Enrollment
School district coordination, family communication, and participant recruitment across five Central Illinois districts.
that's right for you.
Every gift — of any size — directly funds a girl's experience in MakeHerSpace. Here's what different levels make possible.
Covers background check screening and onboarding kit for one mentor — the first step in one relationship.
Funds workshop materials for a full session track, giving a group of girls hands-on STEM experience.
Sponsors one participant's full six-month journey — mentoring, workshops, events, and all materials.
Funds a full cohort workshop event including speakers, materials, meals, and hospitality for all 40 girls.
Title sponsor of Kick-Off Night or the October Celebration Showcase, with full recognition at the event.
Founding cohort partner. Your name is permanently associated with the program that started it all in Peoria.
Give at any amount
Not sure where you fit? Any gift makes a real difference. Contact us and we'll find the right fit together.
MakeHerSpace.
We make it easy to contribute in the way that works best for you or your organization.
Check by Mail
Make checks payable to Distillery Labs and mail to:
201 SW Adams Street
Peoria, IL 61602
Please note "MakeHerSpace" in the memo line.
Contact Us Directly
To discuss a partnership, in-kind donation, multi-year commitment, or sponsorship naming, reach Jeffrey directly.
jeffrey@distillerylabs.orgCorporate Partnership
Looking to engage your organization's employees, brand, or CSR budget? We have tailored sponsorship packages for corporate partners of all sizes.
Discuss Corporate GivingIn-Kind Gifts
Can you donate equipment, workshop supplies, event venue space, or professional services? In-kind contributions are deeply valued and fully credited.
Discuss In-Kind OptionsThere is one Cohort 1.
You can be part of it.
The girls who go through MakeHerSpace in 2026 will remember it for the rest of their careers. The organizations who invested at the start will be part of that story forever.
Make a Gift or Partner With Us →Questions? Contact Jeffrey at jeffrey@distillerylabs.org