Talking IMPACT with Grad Elizabeth

Blog contributor Maple Joy interviewed IMPACT Grad Elizabeth* about her IMPACT Core Program experience.

When and what IMPACT course did you take? December 2018 - Core Program

Why did you want to take IMPACT? - I work in an environment that involves talking to

strangers all day, which is something I usually really enjoy – however, last year I had a situation with one of these strangers in which nothing identifiable necessarily "happened", but the things that did occur all made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe and in danger - then later unhappy with how I'd handled myself. I went home and signed up for the next IMPACT core class that night. I'm so glad that I did - I was mostly looking for practical skills, not a transformative experience; somehow, I got both.

How did you feel prior to, during and after taking the course? I'm not a particularly sporty person and had never taken a self-defense class before, so I really had no idea of what to expect beyond what I'd learned about IMPACT when I signed up. The three-day time commitment was a little intimidating but made perfect sense once the class began - even that Friday night after the first class, I took my dog outside for their nightly walk and already felt different, more present, less afraid, more aware of my own power. Since completing the course, I luckily haven't had a need to test the more physical skills, however, I do feel different as I move through space, just walking down the street, establishing my boundaries, with the knowledge that if this is the day someone grabs me from behind (or tens of other scenarios) I have everything I need to survive.

Would you encourage other women to take an IMPACT course? If so, what would you say? I want every woman to have the opportunity to take this course - really every person. I wish that this had been a part of my public education, that I had taken it at 12 and 16 and 21 etc. - some of the most powerful parts of the class are just fundamental skills, establishing your own boundaries, enforcing those boundaries, finding your voice, taking up space in the world. To be in a space with badass women (and allied men who've let you kick them in the (padded) groin all day), all of whom want you to feel safe and confident and strong in your daily life - such a good feeling!

 Are there ways in which you’ve helped spread the word about IMPACT or ways others can help? Volunteer! Take a course! Host a class! Encourage someone else to take a course!

*Name may have been changed.

#IMPACTChicago #IMPACTChicagoCoreProgram #SelfDefense #Boundaries #FindingYourVoice #Volunteer #WomanEmpowerment

Through IMPACT I Discovered How Much Power Women Have, Courtney Henderson

Courtney Henderson

IMPACT Chicago welcomes Courtney Henderson to the Board! Courtney is an IMPACT Core Program Grad who wanted to learn self defense techniques through realistic scenarios. Since graduating, Courtney volunteers as a facilitator for the What Is IMPACT program to stay connected to the program and sister graduates, and loves introducing new people to IMPACT.

Courtney is the recruiting director for the Chicago office of FCB, a global advertising agency. She started out in advertising herself, creating ads for KFC. Drawn to the business side of the field, she moved into account management, and finally recruiting. She loves working in a creative and relaxed environment, and finds the process of idea turned to reality magical.

Courtney also recently completed the Rape Victims Advocates intensive volunteer training program. As a Rape Victim Advocate, Courtney provides one on one support for victims of sexual assault at the hospital, educates the victim on their options, and ensures that when they leave the hospital they are going to a safe place.

Courtney volunteered with New Horizons Community Garden on Chicago’s West Side last summer, learning about plants and maintaining the garden, where local inhabitants can come to pick fresh vegetables. Through this volunteer work, Courtney discovered her interest for gardening and is excited to get working on her own garden this Spring.

Courtney’s love for the creative extends into her personal hobbies too. Taught by her grandmother at 7 years of age, Courtney recently started knitting again and makes scarves to give as gifts. She has taken classes in soap making and glass blowing, and would love to try ceramics. She enjoys running and is training for a half marathon, and plans to start learning Spanish this Spring.

Courtney sees IMPACT as a huge confidence builder. Through IMPACT, she discovered how much power women have and thinks it’s really important for every woman to feel empowered. Even when walking into a situation where she might be nervous or unprepared, having taken IMPACT, she knows she can use her own body to protect herself. “I volunteer for IMPACT because I truly believe in what they’re doing.”

Interview and Blog by Janette Scott, IMPACT Chicago Board Member

I still remember the faces and names of the women in my course: Lisa Amoroso, 1991

Lisa with daughter Carmen and signs for the Women's March

Lisa Amoroso took the IMPACT Core Program in 1991 and has been a volunteer ever since. At one time or another,  Lisa has done just about every volunteer job available in those 25 years—including mat moving and class assisting, serving as a board member (1991-2012), chairing the board (2012-2014), chairing our annual fund drive (1995-2015), and being the co-director of the Administrative Team (2012-present). In these past 25 years, Lisa has been involved in almost every major administrative decision, from changing our name to IMPACT, hiring new personnel, and most recently, leading the team effort to consolidate our cloud-based work into Google Office.

IMPACT Chicago is so fortunate that Lisa brings her many talents to her volunteer work. Lisa received her Ph.D. from the Kellogg School of Management with a joint degree in Management, Organizations, and Sociology. She is a Professor of Management at the Brennan School of Business Management at Dominican University where she teaches a range of courses, including Negotiations, Human Resource Management, and Organization Behavior.

In reflecting upon why she volunteers for IMPACT, Lisa said:  “The empowerment I felt during my first IMPACT course has altered so many aspects of my life. I still remember the faces and names of the women in my course and the majesty of each woman as she tapped into her strength. I feel that everything from parenting to teaching to simply being has been positively shaped by the foundational values of our organization. One thing that makes IMPACT’s culture particularly special to me is that these values are not assumed, but explicit, and refined to ensure alignment with IMPACT’s mission. I love that IMPACT is continually learning, questioning, and changing. It has been truly an honor for me to work with the administration staff, instructors, and volunteers.”

Martha Thompson, Instructor and Co-director of the Admin Team

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