Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago

Join A Just Chi on 7/22 from 6 – 8 pm for “Creating Somatic Capacity for Change.”

This workshop facilitated by denim (he/they) is an introduction to politicized somatics as a form of embodied resistance, healing, and transformation. Somatics draws on ancestral and indigenous wisdom to resolve trauma within the body as part of an ongoing effort to enact cultural and systemic change. We will explore nervous system dynamics, define trauma, and learn how to develop embodied capacity to heal from within and facilitate transformation. We will also engage in a collective somatic practice that may invoke alchemy in real time. Bring your notebooks and curiosities!

denim {d} chang (he/they) is a politicized somatics trauma resolution practitioner and educator. In his work, he bridges nervous system intelligence, the ancestral wisdom of his taoist lineage, and his personal practice of spiritual embodiment to support our healing work in feeling more vulnerability, intimacy, and belonging. denim created somatics for the people, an emerging school for liberatory embodiment and trauma resolution skills focusing on the QTBIPOC experience. He is a transmasculine Malaysian Chinese immigrant currently studying acupuncture and based in Chicago.

RSVP at www.bit.ly/JulyAJC

Over the last two weeks, our I Speak Power (ISP) base came together for two events to grow their leadership and build community through storytelling.

Last Saturday, ISP core members gathered with friends, family, and community members over some delicious food at Delhi Darbar to talk about their challenges and hopes. Participants shared personal testimonies related to immigrating to Chicago, talking to legislators at AAA Day, navigating Medicaid, marching downtown on May Day, and growing their political power and education by organizing with ISP. It was a truly gratifying experience to witness their confidence as community leaders shine through their stories.

Earlier in June, ISP leaders also participated in an Organizing 101 training. Through discussions and presentations on advocacy and base building, we’re continuing to train our leaders in becoming more effective and resourceful in their organizing.

Our ISP base is made up of immigrant adults who speak English as their second language, which makes their growth as leaders that much more inspiring as they overcome language barriers to build the world they want to see!

🍕 Pizza party, anyone?

Did you know? Each month, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago’s recurring donors are entered in a raffle with prizes from a variety of cool, local businesses.

For July, we got a special offer! Recurring donors* who give $20/month or more will have the chance to win a $100 gift card to Pizza Lobo! Gift card is eligible at any Pizza Lobo location.

💛 DONATE TODAY at bit.ly/advancingaapi!

*New recurring donors who give $20+ must sign up to donate by Wed, July 15th to be eligible.

This offer is exclusive for our recurring donors. Special thanks to all businesses for their in-kind donations for our monthly donor raffle, and special shout-out to Pizza Lobo this month for their generous gift so we can show our thanks to our supporters!

Canvass with A Just Chi and Collaborative for Community Wellness on Sunday, July 12 from 1-4pm in Avondale to ask 30th Ward residents to contact Ald. Ruth Cruz to support Treatment Not Trauma!

Chicago should be a city where every resident can access care, healing, and safety — without fear, punishment, or police violence. The Treatment Not Trauma campaign envisions a public safety system rooted in care, not criminalization — where social workers, mental health professionals, and community responders are dispatched to crises instead of armed officers, and where neighborhood mental health clinics are fully funded and community-driven.

RSVP at www.bit.ly/712Canvass (link is case sensitive) or the link in bio! You will receive the location after registering.