Illinois Cosmetologists Spot Domestic Violence

Credit: AP

People who cut hair, do nails, and engage in other cosmetic work see their clients up close and personal, often hearing intimate details and observing their clients in ways that others do not see.

As of January 1, 2017, Illinois cosmetologists are required to undergo training to identify and report domestic violence (HB4264). The Listen. Support. Connect curriculum will address how to recognize physical and emotional abuse.  The curriculum was designed by Chicago Says No More and Cosmetologists Chicago.  The first training sessions will begin in March 2017.

 “We are dedicated to collaborating in new ways to address the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Chicago metro area and across Illinois,” says Kristie Paskvan, CFO of Mesirow Financial and founder of Chicago Says No More. 

To see the law in full, visit Chicago Says No More New Illinois Law.

IMPACT for People with Disabilities

Participant practices an eyestrike

Mal Malme, an IMPACT Boston grad, ran the Chicago marathon to raise money to train IMPACT Chicago instructors to teach IMPACT:Ability, a nationally recognized safety program for people with disabilities developed by sister organization IMPACT Boston under the leadership of Meg Stone.  Through crowdrise and direct donations, Mal raised the $6500 needed to cover the training costs. Thank you, Mal, for doing the run and thank you to all who donated!

Mal in the yellow shirt with some of the supporters who cheered her on

 Five IMPACT instructors will travel to Boston in April for training in the IMPACT:Ability curriculum in which people with disabilities learn and develop their ability to recognize unsafe situations and respond with effective self-protective behaviors. Participants in IMPACT:Ability learn to advocate for themselves in everyday situations as well as learn skills to deal with dangerous situations, such as bullying, harassment, attempted abduction, and sexual violence.  Research by the Institute for Community Health found that the program increases participants’ knowledge, self-confidence, and self-protective behaviors. 

Thank you to all those whose donations have made it possible for IMPACT Chicago to receive the IMPACT:Ability training.

George Anastos
Bettie Ashbee
Amy Blumenthal
Patricia Broughton in honor of Martha Thompson
Julie Char
Rita Christeler
James Cloonan
Brian David
Robyn Dobrozsi
Carmel Drewes
JoAnn Eisenberg
Emily Gelb
Ann Gerbin
Sarah Gibson
Christopher Giles
Marilynn Grais
Lynn Gryll
Adriana Gutierrez
Rose Hanig
Kimberly Hoff
Wendy Kinal
Greg Lanza
Ginger Lazarus
Patricia Lotterman
Gillian Mackay-Smith
Homa Magsi
Mal Malme
Katherine Manners
Priscilla McRoberts
Debra Mier
David Mogolov
Meryl Lyn Moss
Grace Newton
Phoebe Nitekman
Ronna Nitekman
Lisa Rafferty
Pearl Rieger
Ellen Sack
Susan Seigle
Sarah Shepherd
Yehudit Sidikman
Katie Skibbe
Jeffrey Smithson
Aren Stone
Carole Stone
Margaret Stone
Michael Susman
Martha Thompson
Gillian Watson
Amy West
Sharlene Young

Speaking Up Despite Awkwardness

Bystander support even when awkward
Photo: University of Colorado-Boulder Student Health 

In The Say Something Field Guide, a project of Safe Passages in North Hampton Massachusetts, Lynne Marie Wanamaker and colleagues acknowledge that speaking up can be awkward.

An overview in The Say Something Field Guide to help develop tools to deal with awkwardness.

• Know that you can make a difference
• Acknowledge the awkward
• Know your objective
• People are watching and might learn from you
• Expect feelings
• Remember: you didn't invite the icky
• Connect with like-minded others

Here is where you can find more about the  Say Something project and a copy of the Say Something Field Guide

Thank you to 2016 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Volunteers Cheer Mal Malme at the Chicago Marathon

Lisa Amoroso

Rob Babcock

Tara Brinkman

Bruce Brio

Carrie Czech

Megan Daly

Laura M. Dini

Dana Dunham

Ann Gerbin

Kathleen Grant

Vesna Havran Mueller

Debborah Harp

Sheila Hickey

Jennifer Hill

Laura, Kathleen, & Tara: 3 PT staff who also volunteer
Lisa & Martha: Volunteer Co-Chairs of Admin Team

Chris King

Mal Malme

Rachel Marro

Deb Mier

Robin Mina

Mark Nessel

Molly Norris

Daran Redenbaugh

Kim Ruhana

Ben Ruiz

Shelly Schaff

Janette Scott

Val Scott

Deb, Katie, Martha, Sheila, & Janette:
IMPACT Chicago 2016 Volunteer Board of Directors

Katie Skibbe
Meg Stone

Sandra Sullivan

Luci Stanley

Cameron Swartz

Martha Thompson

Nate Tracey-Amoroso

Christi Trombino-Tonzi

Margaret Vimont

Nat Wilson

Sharlene Young

Lisa, Rachel, Deb, & Molly prepare for Free December Workshop
Photo Credit: Kathleen Grant

Adults As Allies to Girls

From Think Fun

In "Four Ways to Be an Ally to Young Girls," Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez identifies important ways that adults can support girls:

1. Learn more about intersectionality

2. Break away from gender expectations

3. Challenge respectability politics

4. Give young girls space to just be.

IMPACT Chicago is committed to supporting girls in being as free and as safe as possible. We support girls as they  develop to their full potential while also being safe from violence. Consider encouraging and supporting a girl you know to take IMPACT for Girls.

A girl defends herself against an aggressor with a coach as an ally

Photo credit: Kathleen Grant

In this 8-hour program, girls will increase:

• self-assurance
• ability to figure out what to say or do when experiencing discomfort with a situation or person
• effective communication skills
• physical and verbal confidence.

Next course: January 21 and 22, 10 am - 2 pm, Perpetual Motion Studio, 4057 N. Damen. For more information or to register, check here or info@impactchicago.org.

Reference
Rodriguez, Sonia Alejandra. 2016. Four Ways to be an Ally to Young Girls. Elevarte.

In other words, the challenges oIn other words, the challenges of being a young girl in today’s society are not only about their gender and/or sex but can also be tied to their race, class, sexuality, legal status, and/or ability. As allies to young girls we need to recten times face oppression on multiple fronts.f being a young girl in today’s society are not only about their gender and/or sex but can also be tied to their race, class, sexuality, legal status,