Resilience News
RESILIENCE WELCOMES TRANS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
RESILIENCE STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION FOR TRANS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS DURING SUPREME COURT CONSIDERATION OF LGBTQ CIVIL RIGHTS CASES UNDER TITLE VII
As the Supreme Court grapples with the meaning of ‘sex’ under Title VII (7); Resilience wants to reaffirm our support of anti-discrimination policies that include protections for the LGBTQ community. While the Illinois Human Rights Act includes gender and sexual orientation as a protected class, not all states embrace this level of inclusivity which means the Supreme Court’s interpretation is critical in setting the stage for equity.
Resilience supports survivors, staff and volunteers of all identities. We find it particularly troubling that in today’s proceedings, concerns over transgender women working at shelters was presented as a reason to bar the inclusion of our LGBTQ friends in Title 7 protections. We want to be perfectly clear; we welcome transgender folks to get involved in our work. Within the trans community there are alarming rates of sexual violence, making access to rape crisis services critical. According to the 2015 Transgender Survey, nearly 47% of trans people are sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime. This more than doubles the rates of sexual violence for cis women. We value staff and volunteers who represent the clients the serve.
To the LGBTQ community, know that your identity and equitable rights and protections matter to us at Resilience. We stand with you in solidarity.
Statement by Sarah Layden, Resilience Director of Programs and Public Policy. For more information on this and other policy positions, contact Sarah at slayden@ourresilience.org. Resilience is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of survivors of sexual violence. Through programs, outreach, and support, Resilience strives for a world free of sexual violence for everyone. Learn more at ourresilience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ResilienceChi.
Sarah Layden featured in the DePaulia 9/23/2019
In an article published on September 23, 2019 in the DePaulia, Director of Programs and Public Policy Sarah Layden was interviewed for an op-ed about the myth that sexual assault allegations derail the careers of powerful men. Read the full article here.
Percent Pledge: A New Way to Give to Resilience
With our new partnership with Percent Pledge, you can now support Resilience by making a single, monthly gift to our Women’s Empowerment Cause Portfolio. Click here to make a gift today.
Celebrating Resilience: Victoria Velinski
In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters, starting with our volunteers.
read more…
OurMusicMyBody Fall Volunteer Training
OurMusicMyBody is a campaign by Between Friends and Resilience promoting safe and consent-informed music experiences for all and trying to end sexual violence in music spaces. This grassroots movement relies on volunteers to both create a physical presence at music venues and festivals by tabling and to help us spread awareness in a variety of ways. If you’d like to help us end sexual harassment AND see your favorite bands play live, become a volunteer! Please see details below:
read more…
Maggie Arthur Talks about OurMusicMyBody on Vocalo
In an interview published on Vocalo on August 28, 2019, Prevention Educator Maggie Arthur talked about OurMusicMyBody and sexual violence prevention education. Click here to listen to the full story.
Austin Open House 9/16/19
Please join us as we celebrate the new home of our office location in Austin!
read more…
Maria Balata interviewed in Chicago Tribune
In an article published in the Chicago Tribune on August 20, 2019, Director of Advocacy Services Maria Balata was interviewed about self-defense classes and preventing sexual violence. Read the full article here. Resilience provides sexual violence prevention education that uses an anti-oppressive, survivor-centered approach and teaches people of all ages to prevent sexual violence and support survivors.
Sexual Assault Is Still Rampant At Music Festivals. Here’s How We Stop It.
The OurMusicMyBody campaign was recently featured in an article published by Refinery29 on July 30, 2019. Click here to read the full article, “Sexual Assault Is Still Rampant At Music Festivals. Here’s How We Stop It.”
11th Annual Foursomes 4 Philanthropy
Registration is open for the 11th Annual Foursomes 4 Philanthropy, a charity golf event with proceeds benefiting Resilience! Please see below for details and registration info:
read more…
Congress Must Pass the Debbie Smith Act
As you may have heard, the rape kit backlog has become a 2020 presidential campaign issue (see below for RAINN’s statement). We’re encouraging advocates to spread the word about the rape kit backlog — and urge Congress to pass S.820, the Debbie Smith Act, before funds expire this year—by posting on social media.
read more…
2020 Volunteer Training Dates and Deadlines
**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF MARCH 16, 2020: SPRING 2020 TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED.**
As of March 16, spring volunteer training has been postponed. We will keep our community and training registrants updated as information and guidance related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to evolve. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Candice Tindell, Training & Outreach Coordinator, at ctindell@ourresilience.org.
Erin Walton Interviewed on WGN
In a video that aired on WGN on July 2, 2019, Executive Director Erin Walton was interviewed about how to talk to kids and summer camp staff about preventing sexual violence. Click here to watch the full interview and read Resilience’s tips.
Meet Tom Andreesen, FY2020 Board President
We’re so pleased to welcome our FY2020 Board President Tom Andreesen! We interviewed Tom about his connection to the Resilience mission, his vision, and his new role as Board President. Keep reading to learn more about Tom:
read more…
Meet Alicia Babich, 2020 Resilience Associate Board President
We’re so pleased to welcome our inaugural Resilience Associate Board and our 2020 Associate Board President Alicia Babich! We interviewed Alicia about her connection to the Resilience mission, her vision, and her new role as Associate Board President. Keep reading to learn more about Alicia and click here to read more about the Associate Board.
read more…
Resilience’s 16th Annual Evening of Impact in the Chicago Defender
Resilience’s 16th Annual Evening of Impact: Prevention is Power was recently featured in an article published in the Chicago Defender on June 19, 2019. Click here to read the full article.
AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago, Resilience team up to provide more support to survivors of sexual assault
In an article posted on Ascension’s website on April 11, 2019, Resilience’s new hospital partnership with AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago was announced. You can read the full announcement here: ascension.org/News/Social-Media-Hub/Social-Hub-Articles/AMITA-Health-Resurrection-Medical-Center-Chicago-Resilience-team-up-to-provide-more-support-to-survivors-of-sexual-assault.
Sarah Layden Interviewed by CBS
In a video published by CBS on May 21, 2019, Director of Programs and Public Policy Sarah Layden commented on the 6% arrest rate for criminal sexual assault cases, as well as survivors’ experience working with law enforcement.
