| Evening of Impact is Two Weeks Away You don't want to miss out on this event! Join us at Evening of Impact on Thursday, May 24 at Morgan Manufacturing. The night will include hors d’oeuvres and food stations by Limelight Catering, dessert by Beavers Donuts, an open bar thanks to Deep Eddy Vodka, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Revolution Brewing, a silent auction, music by Birds and B-Sides, and a powerful and moving program featuring former Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) client and women's mental health expert, Kelley Kitley. This year, we're honoring Me Too Founder and Activist, Tarana Burke, with the Dr. Natalie A. Stephens Visionary Award! By supporting RVA at Evening of Impact, you'll demonstrate your commitment to a safer Chicago and an end to sexual violence. We look forward to celebrating Tarana’s incredible contributions to our movement and taking action with you in two weeks! | | | | | Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Challenge Thanks to supporters like you, RVA raised over $19,000 for prevention education through our SAAM fundraising challenge! Prevention education provides young people with the tools they need to identify elements of rape culture, reduce risk factors for sexual abuse, and become change agents within their own communities. Our ability to provide these programs and the strength of our organization is because of those who stand with us – we couldn’t do it without you and your generosity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who fundraised, donated, and helped spread the word about this challenge! If you were unable to donate during SAAM, it's not too late! Make a gift today to support our continued work towards ending sexual violence and help us reach our $25,000 campaign goal. | | | | | Mariá Balata – Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year! The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Chicago’s Annual Celebration Awards honor the outstanding achievements in the Chicago nonprofit sector. YNPN Chicago received dozens of nominations across four categories including Nonprofit of the Year, Associate Board of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year. We're thrilled to announce our Director of Advocacy Services, Mariá Balata, was the recipient of the Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award! In her current role, Mariá leads a team of 13 legal and medical advocates who assist survivors with navigating systems and institutions to access much needed remedies. She's committed to ensuring that queer, transgender, and non-binary survivors and activists are included in the feminist, anti-rape movement. Mariá stewards RVA’s volunteer program with more than 250 active rape crisis counselors who support survivors city-wide. | | | | | Upcoming Events & Trainings - Tuesday, May 15: Making Matters
- Wednesday, May 30: Our Music My Body Volunteer Training
- Wednesday, May 30: Overcoming Common Challenges in Sexual Assault Investigations
- Saturday, June 2: Our Music My Body Volunteer Training
- Friday, June 8: Understanding Rape Trauma: From Neurology to Social Stigma
- Wednesday, June 13: Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act Training
- Tuesday, June 19: Making Matters
- Tuesday, June 19: 40-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training for Professionals
- Wednesday, June 27: Reiki Clinic for Survivors of Sexual Violence
- Tuesday, July 10: Confidential Advisor Training
- Thursday, July 27: Male Survivor Group
- Monday, August 6: 40-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training for Professionals
| | | | | | | | | | Contact Us Rape Victim Advocates 180 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 600 Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-443-9603 info@rapevictimadvocates.org | | | | | | |