Since her arrival in June, Julie Curtis (left), incoming Executive Director, has been meeting with Martha Thompson (right), IMPACT Chicago’s long-time Director, to transfer knowledge and carry on the IMPACT Chicago legacy. Together, they further IMPACT’s mission to end violence and build a non-violent world in which all people can live safely and with dignity.
There is much to learn. Julie says: “Martha has 25 years of experience and I am just 4 months into the transition, I estimate that right now I know about 16% of what Martha knows about IMPACT.” Martha says: “No doubt experience matters, but I believe IMPACT will benefit greatly from Julie’s fresh perspective on how to administratively support the IMPACT Chicago mission.”
In addition to teaching classes on verbal boundary setting and physical self-defense classes, IMPACT also offers workshops in schools, shelters, and workplaces. Julie is getting to know the full range of IMPACT Chicago’s offerings, as well as the general operation of the organization. As part of becoming the Director, Julie is participating in as many IMPACT programs as she can to understand the IMPACT Chicago approach and to finish the instructor training she started in the DC IMPACT program. Since its start 25 years ago, IMPACT Chicago’s mission has been to bring self-defense training to people of all economic, racial/ethnic, and social groups. Through graduate donations and grants, IMPACT Chicago has a long tradition of bringing programs to people 12-70+ of different economic backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations. Julie is committed to continuing and expanding this work and plans to reach more youth, women of color, men, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities.
By AC Racette. IMPACT Chicago Assistant Director
No comments:
Post a Comment