|
|
| ||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
|
Huge and heartfelt thank yous to all the many people who volunteered for IMPACT Chicago in 2020. Your energy, talent, and time are deeply appreciated!
...There is no one-size fits all. It was important for me to hear from the other participants the obstacles they had encountered or could imagine encountering that would have prevented them from interceding; and to have Rachel help us think them through with possible tools.
Actually practicing helped me visualize the scenario and now I feel more confident responding.
A mighty and resounding “THANK YOU” to IMPACT Chicago’s 2020 Donors! Your generosity enables us to bring IMPACT self-defense training to more people who identify as women and girls.
Tuition and grants cover about 65% of the costs of the Core Program and IMPACT for Girls. Donations cover the rest.
Anonymous
Jeanne Adams - in honor of Lois Adams
Janet Altman
Laney Amoroso
Lisa Amoroso - In honor of Martha Thompson
Bettie Thompson Ashbee
Arden Austin
James Baima
Ellyn & John Bank - in honor of Martha Thompson
Arlene Benzinger - in honor of Martha Thompson
Lili Betancourt
Susan Blessing
Amy Blumenthal
Tara Brinkman
Bruce Brio
Pat Broughton
Sheila & Steve Carson
Adam Charney
Aaron Christensen
Bryan Cleal
Nancy Cohen
Rachel Collins
Dorianne Conn
Dianne (Dee) Costanzo - in honor of Martha Thompson & in memory of Adrian Costanzo
Cyd Curtis Bates
Mari Jo De Paolo
Kevin DeJovine
Donna Del Principe - in honor of Martha Thompson
Carla Eisenberg - in honor of Martha Thompson
Cheri Erdman - in honor of Claire Tropp - class '89
Margaret Evans
Korrin A. Fallbacher
Tam Fletcher
Kira Freigang
Laurie Fuller
Anne Gendler & David Leib
Therese Given
Jennifer Gould
Robyn & Tijuana Gray
Amanda Gregory - in honor of Martha Thompson
Amy E. Harmon - in honor of Martha Thompson
Margit Henderson
Loretta Jackson - in honor of Martha Thompson
Carol Jennings - in honor of Martha Thompson
Linda Kaplan
June Kirk - in honor of Martha Thompson
Kasey Klipsch & Angela Sherrill - Dianne Costanzo Fund
Katherine (Katie) Knapowski
Susan Landwer
Ruth Lipschutz - in honor of Martha Thompson
Mary Loftus
Betsy Lucas
Martin Lucas
Rachel Lucas-Thompson Graham
PriscillaMartin
Margaret McGrath - in honor of Martha Thompson
Debra Mier & Sheila Hickey
Emily Moreno
Jeannette & Terry Mostrom
Priya Nelson
Shiyu & Anthony Nitsos
Clara Orban
Piper Parker
LaurenPerez
Svetlana (Liz) Pfau - in honor of Martha Thompson
Lisa Pines
Rachel Preveau
Ann-Christine Racette
Don & Judy Rosedale - in honor of Martha Thompson
Kim Ruhana - in honor of Martha Thompson
Roger & Loriann Safian
Laura Sanders - in honor of Martha Thompson
Asha Sarode
Gail Schubert
Linda Stawicki
Tracey Shafroth
Peggy Shinner
YehuditSidikman
Katie Skibbe - in honor of Martha Thompson
Karen Staib Duffy
Patrice Stearley
Charlotte Suk
Martha Thompson - in honor of all the students since 1987
Margaret (Marge) Tomasik
C.M. Villa - in honor of Martha Thompson
Carrie Villa
Iris Waichler - in honor of Martha Thompson
Amy Wallin
Elizabeth West - in honor of Martha Thompson
Amelia (Mimi) Wilson
Amelia Zimet
Please let us know if we have made any errors. Thank you!
That May 1988 program brought together so many of my commitments and interests that I said yes when asked to help develop a self-defense program appropriate for a college curriculum. I had started my university career of teaching sociology with a women's and gender studies focus at age 23 and the opportunity to combine my academic interests with teamwork, emotional work, and powerful voices and bodies as a self-defense instructor was irresistible.
I’ve been involved with IMPACT Chicago for over half my adult life and it is now time for me to step back from teaching full-force programs, serving on the board, and doing administrative work. I will continue to support IMPACT Chicago and its dedicated and skilled Admin Team, Board, and Instructors in whatever way I can (e.g. if needed, assist with instructor training and help our IMPACT:Ability program get off the ground).
I will still be doing empowerment and social justice work as I continue as the Self-Defense Coordinator for the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation until 2022; continue to be an active member of the Empowerment Self-Defense Alliance, an organization dedicated to influencing national dialogue about preventing interpersonal violence; and continue to support the work of not only IMPACT Chicago, but other IMPACT chapters.
I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated all the people I’ve worked with over the past 32 years to build and maintain the infrastructure that makes it possible for IMPACT Chicago to offer our fabulous programs. Whether new to IMPACT or a long-time volunteer like Lisa Amoroso who has been volunteering since 1990, the work of IMPACT Chicago board members and administrative staff has made it possible for IMPACT Chicago to continue to shine since 1987. I have felt privileged for every moment of this work.
Not surprisingly I hope, my biggest inspirations and rewards have been found on the mat. I have been moved profoundly by each person who has courageously stepped into an IMPACT class; each circle where we witness others’ grappling with their past, reflecting on the present, and opening themselves to a bigger future; each scenario where a defender faces and meets a challenge; and each time we applaud and cheer for each other. I have felt privileged for every moment of this work.
I have not experienced these inspirations and rewards alone. The teamwork with other lead and suited instructors and class assistants has been so enriching. There is nothing like getting feedback from a team on a class plan; working with that team to put the plan into practice while also working to make minute by minute adjustments; and in challenging moments experiencing support from a team member's glance, a word, or a nod. I have felt privileged for every moment of this work.
Martha ThompsonOur fund drive this year is in honor of my retirement. You can find the lovely letter from IMPACT Chicago about my work and some more words from me HERE. I know there are many organizations and issues worthy of your financial support. I hope you will join me in making a donation to IMPACT Chicago this year. Any amount will mean a lot to our continued work. You can donate on the IMPACT Chicago website via Paypal, on the IMPACT Chicago Facebook page, or send a check to IMPACT Chicago, 4057 N. Damen Ave, Chicago IL 60618. Thank you.
For this year’s
Annual Fund Drive, we celebrate Martha Thompson’s contributions
to IMPACT Chicago. Martha is retiring at the end of 2020 after over three
decades
of IMPACT service. Throughout these years, Martha worked with others to build
consensus and help promote empowerment self-defense across Chicagoland, as well
as nationally and internationally. Her IMPACT Chicago work spanned many
different leadership activities, including:
Martha’s
contributions have been invaluable and IMPACT Chicago is deeply
appreciative of all her time, energy, and expertise. Martha has worked and
connected with many, many, many graduates and supporters over the years. And,
while we are not able to have a big party due to the pandemic, we’ve asked her
to
write this year’s letter as a way to share her insights and share her
retirement news
with you directly. We ask you to join with Martha to help make our future work
a
reality by making a donation today.