Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you well despite the onslaught of painful and challenging recent events. Between the tragic mass shooting in nearby Highland Park and the overturning of Roe V. Wade, we are feeling angry and hurt as we navigate the aftermath of these events. Like so many others, I find it difficult to find the words to express just how disturbing and unsettling acts of violence like these are, especially as it feels like they’re happening more frequently and in this case, so close to home. If you too are having trouble processing or are feeling helpless, please know that you are not alone.

As we try to do our part to move toward action and change, we're taking note of the connections between policies, politicians, and these concerning problems. We're leaning into our support systems, allowing ourselves to feel all of our emotions, and deciding how we will continue to fight for positive change and peace. 

We hope you will reach out if Resilience can be of service or assistance to you. Please take the time you need to rest, recharge, and care for yourself.

Erin Walton
Executive Director
Resilience

Meet Katherine Stabler

It is important now more than ever to embrace and celebrate what connects us: our resilience. This month, we're shining a spotlight on Katherine Stabler, Resilience supporter and member of the Evening of Impact Host Committee. Read our interview to hear from Katherine about being a passionate Resilience supporter, her work in fundraising, and breaking the stigma of sexual violence. Click the button below to read our interview with Katherine.

Resilience's Board of Directors and Associate Board

We're thrilled to introduce our Board and Associate Board for Fiscal Year 2023! Thank you to all members of our Board of Directors and Associate Board for your dedication and support.

Register today for Evening of Impact 2022!

Register today for Resilience's annual Evening of Impact 2022: Resilient Together on September 22, 2022, at Galleria Marchetti! You won't want to miss our largest and most celebrated event of the year. We’re looking forward to gathering with our allies, partners, friends, and supporters for a powerful evening of stories and speakers, socializing, music, auctions, raffle prizes, and, most importantly, uniting to support survivors. Proceeds of Evening of Impact go toward providing our services, which are 100% free for survivors and their loved ones. You can register for Evening of Impact here. Sponsorship is also available for purchase. You can click here to view our full list of sponsor benefits.

Secure your early bird tickets today! Click the button below to purchase sponsorship and tickets.

For questions regarding Evening of Impact including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amy O’Keeffe, Director of Development at aokeeffe@ourreslience.org.

Become a Resilience Volunteer Medical Advocate!

Resilience is searching for our next training class of volunteer medical advocates. The deadline to apply for our Fall 2022 volunteer training is September 28. A virtual orientation session (by invitation only) will be held in October, and the virtual training will take place from November 1 through December 6. To learn more about our volunteer program, click here. 

Congratulations and welcome to the 29 new volunteers we've invited into our summer training class — our biggest since we’ve gone virtual!

Interested in becoming a volunteer medical advocate later instead? Join us for another training. We host them four times throughout the year. Reach out to us at volunteer@ourresilience.org with questions!

Volunteer Appreciation Night

Thanks to all who came out to celebrate at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on June 30! Resilience Medical Volunteer Advocates gathered at The Long Room in Logan Square for a night of food, drinks, laughter, and connection. Thank you to Sultan’s Market for catering this event. We're thrilled to be able to celebrate our incredible community of Volunteer Medical Advocates: we send you all our appreciation and gratitude!

Group for Black Women Sexual Violence Survivors – Virtual

Wednesdays, July 6 — September 7, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This is a psychoeducational support group for African American women, trans women, and nonbinary survivors of sexual violence ages 18 and up. It focuses on developing coping skills, forming a new sense of sisterhood, and achieving self-empowerment. 

Interested participants should contact Gaby Molden, MSW, LSW at gmolden@ourresilience.org or (773) 287-6058.

Art Therapy Support Group – Virtual

July 20 — Sept 7,  Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m. (will not meet August 24)

Connect with other survivors of sexual violence in weekly group sessions and use art as a coping strategy and practice to deepen your understanding of difficult experiences, healing processes, and transitions. There is no expectation for trauma history disclosure; previous artmaking experience is not necessary. Group members will use art mediums of their choice and other materials that can be gathered independently.

This 7-week virtual support group is open to adult survivors who are 18+ and IL residents. All genders are welcome. Appropriate participants may be anyone who has experienced sexual violence, including harassment, abuse, or assault. This group is facilitated by Annalise Castro, MAATC. Interested participants may contact acastro@ourresilience.org to set up a screening call.

Art materials suggested: notebook, sketchbook, paper, writing utensils (pencils, colored pens), drawing utensils (colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc.), magazines for collage, paper, glue, scissors, and additional items people may have at home.

Confidential Advisor 40-hour Training – Virtual

September 26, 27, and 29; October 3, 4, and 6

The Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act requires each institution of higher learning have a 40-hour-trained confidential advisor available to students. This Resilience training will examine sexual assault’s impact on survivors and their loved ones. Attendees will leave the training with legal and medical options for students in a trauma-informed context.

Trainees will gain basic crisis intervention skills, explore the neurobiology of trauma, and learn how to respond to disclosures. They will also learn about the legal and medical remedies available to survivors and explore how sexual violence impacts groups of survivors experiencing multiple forms of oppression. Trainees will also learn in-depth state and federal laws that outline procedures and responsibilities of higher education institutions and their employees. This training will conclude with an emphasis on vicarious trauma and self-care, and it will empower trainees with resources they may share with their communities. Resilience trainers have tailored this training for higher education professionals and those fulfilling the role of confidential advisor.

Questions? Contact Maggie Arthur, Director of Education and Training at marthur@ourresilience.org or 872-356-8215.

Join the Waitlist for the Queer Survivors Support Group

Interested in joining a future Queer Survivors Group? This support group is for all queer persons ages 18+ who have experienced sexual violence, and it will address participant-requested topics with a focus on empowerment. Learn more here, and click the button below to be added to the waitlist for this group.

Work with Us! Resilience is Hiring

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

• Legal & Medical Advocate (Austin Location)
• Training & Outreach Manager
• Legal & Medical Advocate (Bilingual in Spanish preferred)

To learn more about careers at Resilience, click here. Know someone who might be a good fit? 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 (English, Spanish, Polish) 
Tips on Managing Anxiety about COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic)
Tech safety for victims and survivors of domestic violence

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