Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friend,

Happy New Year! 2021 was unique and challenging, yet full and rewarding. My hope for 2022 is that we can continue to extend grace, patience, and kindness to one another and it will bring positive changes for us all. As we begin the new year, our annual giving campaign is coming to an end, which you can learn more about below. Thank you for being such a loyal supporter and friend. I am in awe of and deeply grateful for the generosity of our community.

We are also kicking off the new year with many exciting new offerings and events. Out of an abundance of caution, these events are taking place virtually. Our next volunteer training begins later this month and our spring volunteer training will begin in April. SAAM (Sexual Assault Awareness Month), which happens every April, will be here before we know it. As you will see below, on April 21-22, we are planning our first-ever conference hosted by our Education and Training Department. We are so excited about this 2-day event and hope you can join us!

Additionally, if you're looking for a new professional beginning this year, we are hiring for a variety of positions, which you can learn more about below.

Thank you for your continued support! I send you my best this month and beyond.

Warmly,

Erin Walton
Executive Director
Resilience

 

Support our year-end giving campaign!

As we set hopeful and positive intentions for the new year, we hope you will consider supporting Resilience. Our year-end campaign is coming to a close, and it's not too late to make your gift. Our key programs, Trauma Therapy, Education and Training, and Medical and Legal Advocacy, change the lives of survivors. Your gifts make resources available to our staff and volunteers, who then are able to connect with survivors all over the city. Sexual violence has not yielded during this pandemic and we need your support in order to remain accessible to any person seeking services from us. Thank you for your adamant support! You can make your donation by clicking the button below.

 

Join us for Resilience's first-ever conference this April

Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for a very exciting virtual conference Resilience will be hosting this spring. On April 21 and 22, 2022, we hope you will join us for Uprooting Power: Cultivating Liberation and a World Without Sexual Violence. More information will be announced soon!

 

Meet Lauren Okura

It is more important now more than ever to embrace and celebrate what connects us: our resilience. This month, we're proudly shining a spotlight on Lauren Okura. Lauren is a co-founder of Pono Design Studio, Resilience Associate Board member, and strong Resilience supporter. Read our interview with Lauren below.

 

Pinot's Palette Virtual Classes Supporting Resilience

Pinot's Palette is offering five virtual painting classes where 50% of proceeds will be donated to Resilience from now until January 31! These step-by-step group art lessons will provide you with everything you need to create a masterpiece. Classes are pre-recorded, so sign up to watch and paint at your leisure. All art supplies that you need to create your painting are included in the price. Supplies can be picked up in the studio or curbside from Pinot’s Palette Logan Square (2768 N Milwaukee Ave). They can also be shipped directly to you for an additional fee. Try something creative and fun from the safety and comfort of your own home, all while supporting survivors! Learn more about these five classes and sign up below.

The Resilience Associate Board has wrapped up another fantastic year. Between so many incredible fundraisers and events, and being awarded the Chicago Young Nonprofit Professional Network's Associate Board of the Year Award, this dedicated group brings so much passion and energy to our community. We extend our deep gratitude to the Associate Board for raising over $31,000 last year. Thank you for all of your hard work in 2021!

If you're interested in learning more about the Associate Board or would like to apply, click here.

 
 

Empowering Art Therapy Group - Virtual

When: Mondays, January 24 - March 14, 3:30 - 5 pm CST

This is a closed 8-week virtual group for survivors to explore empowerment and personal strengths through art therapy and guided discussion. Participants will draw from their own experiences and art materials on hand to identify inner resources and share with others. Open to adult survivors of sexual violence (18+), all genders welcome. Facilitated by Annalise Castro, MAATC, and Jade Davis. Learn more about this group below.

If interested, please contact Jade Davis by email at cintern3@ourresilience.org.

Men's Support Group - Virtual

When: Mondays, January 31 - March 21, 5:30 - 7:00 pm CST

This group is for male-identified survivors of sexual violence. The group aims to foster healing through shared experience. Members will be able to connect with other folks who have been impacted by sexual violence. Facilitated by Matt Axelrod
and Renee Miranda-Beristain, LCPC. Space is limited. 

Contact Matt Axelrod at cintern2@ourresilience.org or (872) 204-7793 for more information.

My Music, My Art, My Story: Music and Art Therapy Support Group - Virtual

When: Thursdays, February 3 - March 24, 3:00 - 4:30 pm CST

In this support group, participants will develop storytelling skills as an act of self-expression and ownership of experiences through songwriting and creating visual artwork. Facilitated by Music Therapist April Hickey, MT-BC, and Art Therapist Annalise Castro, MAATC.

Connect with other survivors of sexual violence in weekly sessions while using music making, narrative writing, embodied mindfulness, and art expression as a coping strategy and contemplative practice to deepen meaning and understanding of difficult experiences, healing processes, and transitions. This 8-week virtual support group is open to adult survivors 18+, all genders welcome. All materials provided and no previous experience needed. Learn more below.

Interested participants may contact Annalise at acastro@ourresilience.org to set up a screening phone call.

Journaling and Meditation Support Group - Virtual 

When: Mondays, February 7 - March 28, 5:30 - 7:00 pm CST

This is a closed 8-week virtual support group that will be a space for survivors of sexual violence of all genders and ages 18+ to process their emotions, thoughts, and experiences of trauma through journal prompts, self-reflection, and various guided meditative practices. Each session will focus on a certain theme of focus such as self-compassion, processing grief, guilt, and shame, among others. We will also incorporate various meditative practices such as a trauma in the body scan and guided imagery.

If interested, please contact Katrina Ramirez for an intake by email at cintern1@ourresilience.org or call (872) 204-7791.

40-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training - Virtual

When: January 18, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm via Zoom

Participants will obtain foundational knowledge on sexual violence and rape culture. This training will provide an in-depth examination of how sexual violence impacts individuals, communities, and broader society. LCPC and LCSW CEUs are available. Learn more and register below.

Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence in Higher Education Trainings - Virtual

Two upcoming dates:

March 25, 2022, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm via Zoom

May 27, 2022, 10:00 am – 1:30 pm via Zoom

This virtual training is intended for higher education professionals involved in providing student survivor support or responding to student disclosures of sexual or domestic violence. This training will provide an in-depth look at identifying and understanding sexual and intimate partner violence, stalking, and domestic violence. Participants will explore the impact of trauma and trauma responses, as well as legal and medical options for survivors.

Questions about this training or the Resilience Training Institute? Contact Candice Tindell, Training and Outreach Manager at ctindell@ourresilience.org.

 

Start fresh in 2022, apply with Resilience

Resilience is looking for new talent to join our ranks in support of survivors of sexual violence. The following positions are currently open:

To learn more about careers at Resilience, please click here. Know someone who might be a good fit? Please send them this email!

 

Get connected with Resilience's remote services

Click here to connect with an advocate remotely
Please fill out this form to be contacted by a trauma therapist to schedule or confirm a one-time remote session
Click here to view our COVID-19 resources on our website

Resources

Safety planning resources for survivors from Futures Without Violence
Resources about public charge and COVID-19 from Protecting Immigrant Families
What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms (EnglishSpanishPolish
Tips on Managing Anxiety about COVID-19 (EnglishSpanishPolishSimplified ChineseTagalogArabic)
Tech safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence

Resilience
180 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 600 | Chicago, Illinois 60601
312-443-9603 | info@ourresilience.org

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