Team Member Profile: Meet Ana Correa

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO 

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Team member name:
Ana M. Correa

Position:  
Advocacy Manager

Agency/Program:
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center

Member since: 2016

Member Bio:

Ana received her master’s degree from University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   Ana has 15 years of experience working directly with victims of child sexual abuse.  Ana currently manages the Advocacy Team at the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Ana continues to seek out evidence based interventions as well as collaboration from complex systems to support children and families.

Quote: “No one can’t hurt you without your consent” Eleanor Roosevelt

Why I joined IL Imagines.

I was invited by Linda Sandman to become a member of the Chicago Team.  I am interested in learning and collaborating with experts in the field, so I can better service our clients.  The Chicago IL Imagine Team is a venue to ongoing assesses what’s best practice to support children and adults with disabilities.

Fun Fact:

Watching cooking shows is a fun way to distress from trauma work!

Educating Providers on Supporting Healthy Sexuality for People with ID/DD.

Presenting on Supporting Healthy Sexuality in People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

From left to right:  Krescene Beck, Cathy Saunders, Linda Sandman

llinois Imagines Chicago team members Linda Sandman and Cathy Saunders joined with state team member Krescene Beck on June 29th to provide a full day of training to about 90 disability service providers in Springfield, Illinois. The topic was "Supporting Healthy Sexuality in People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities". 

The Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN) sponsored the training and is excited to have this opportunity to work with Illinois Imagines.
by: Linda Sandman

IL Imagines meets with Vera Institute working to improve DV and SV services for PWD's.

On May 9 – 11, 2016, self-advocates from Illinois Imagines and members of the state planning team met with representatives of the Vera Institute of Justice Center on Victimization and Safety to talk about performance indicators for rape crisis centers and domestic violence services. Our Chicago team was well represented by Cathy Saunders, Lisa Cesal and Linda Sandman. It was good and productive work and we were glad to contribute.

Featured Team Agency Profile: CHS

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO

TEAM AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Agency/Program name:

Chicago Hearing Society, a division of Anixter Center

2001 N. Clybourn Ave.  Suite 200

Chicago, Illinois 60614

Office: (773) 248-9121

Web: www.chicagohearingsociety.org

Facebook: facebook.com/ChicagoHearingSociety

Twitter: ChgoHearingSociety

Agency overview:

Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) empowers Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing people to communicate and collaborate by providing an array of social services, advocacy, support programs and assistive technology products to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.

Agency/Program Mission:

Since 1916, CHS has offered programs and services that improve the lives of deaf and hard of hearing individuals by empowering them to connect with the world around them.

Range of services:

Hearing Health Clinic and hearing aids, Sign Language Interpreter and Translator Services, Free Amplified Telephones, Information and Referral, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Captioning, Parent Support, Hearing Aid Bank, Tinnitus Program, Youth Program, Victim Assistance, Domestic Violence Counseling, Income Tax Return Preparation, Deaf Community Calendar of Events (Deaf Line)

Specialties:

Our staff is fluent in American Sign Language and Spanish

Disability accessible:

CHS is 100% Disability accessible.

Team Member Spotlight: Meet Co-Chair Jae Jin :)

IL Imagines Chicago Team Member Spotlight

Team member name: Jae Jin Pak; Self Advocate

Position:  Co-Chair for 2015-2017

Member since: 2009

Member Bio:  

Jae Jin Pak is a social justice advocate, educator, and ally.  For over 20 years, he has worked on issues of mental health, ending men’s violence against women, disability, anti-oppression and cultural competency.  He has presented for high school & college students, teachers, law enforcement, medical staff, faith leaders, social service providers & community members.  

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI), Asian Giving Circle, the IL Imagines Chicago Team, IL Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH), Korean American Community Services (KACS), IL Coalition Against Domestic Violence MEN Committee and IL Coalition Against Sexual Assault Education & Training Committee.  He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Quote:

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke

Why I joined IL Imagines.

I wanted to connect with my “disability” identity.   I learned of the lack of outreach to the disability community about men’s violence against women’s issues.  Being a person with a disability, I realized I could be a voice and bridge to educate, advocate and ally to my disability community.  I want to help.

Fun Fact:  

I’m a geek who loves my gadgets, gizmos and a long time Doctor Who fan. Life is timey whimey. :)

Featured Team Agency Profile: Metro YWCA

IL IMAGINES CHICAGO

TEAM AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

Agency/Program name: 

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago/Sexual Violence Support Services

820 W Jackson, Ste 550

Chicago IL 60607 

Office: 312.229.7259 

24hr Rape Crisis Hotline: 888.293.2080

Web: www.ywcachicago.org 

Facebook: facebook.com/ywcachicago

Twitter:  twitter.com/ywcachicago

Agency overview:

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is committed to providing women with the support and tools needed to transform their lives, be confident in their choices and make valuable contributions to their communities.

Agency/Program Mission:

YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Range of services: 

Sexual Violence Support Services:

Counseling, Medical and Legal Advocacy, Prevention Education, Rape Crisis Hotlines

Specialties:   

Rape Crisis Services 

Disability accessible:

All Facilities are accessible.

Meet our Senior Co-Chair Anacany Barrera:)

IL Imagines Chicago Team Member Spotlight

Team member name: Anacany Barrera         

Position:  Coordinator, Crisis Line and Volunteer Services

Agency/Program: YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Sexual Violence Support Services

Member since: 2013

Member Bio: 

Anacany received her undergraduate degree in History from Utah Valley University.  Anacany brings six years of experience working directly with underserved members of the community through Head Start.  Anacany spent three years as the Bilingual Prevention Educator for the YWCA Sexual Violence and Support Services. Anacany is on mission to innovate how we provide services on the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline and expand our volunteer program.

Quote: 

“There is no agony like an untold story inside of you.” 

Maya Angelou  

Why I joined IL Imagines.  

I was invited to attend the Chicago Team meeting when I started working at the YWCA and that is all it took.  I am very interested in working with underserved populations and IL Imagines is a perfect way for me to get involved. 

Fun Fact:  

I am a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Chicago Chapter and a mom to an adorable pup.

Happy New Year from IL Imagines Chicago. Great stuff for 2016!

Greetings world.  Hope all is well.  IL Imagines Chicago is excited to re-launch our blog.  We have lots of plans for 2016. 

What have we been up to? 
We have successfully completed 3 mini-grant projects.

Team members Linda Sandman and Osvaldo Caballero
lead educational group on SV and disability for parents of
children with disabilities in Spanish.

• Project 1, focused on developing and conducting 4 total, educational groups for parents to learn and support their children who are sexually abused.  This project was designed to engage Spanish and English speaking parents.

Full room of health care professionals learning about
intersection of sexual violence and disability.

• Project 2, focused on developing and conducting an all day seminar for health care professionals with information about sexual violence and disability issues.  The seminar was designed to train attendees on how better respond to the needs of and support survivors of sexual violence with disabilities that they encounter in their practice.

Proud self advocates & ally trainees for the
40hr SV Crisis Intervention Training

• Project 3, focused on developing and conducting the 40hr sexual violence crisis intervention training for people with disabilities and their allies.  Upon completion, participants would meet IL certification standards as rape crisis counselor/advocates as monitored by the IL Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA).

Our team has also participated in numerous community events and been invited to present on sexual violence and disability at various organizations.

Team members Jae Jin Pak(l) and Lisa Cesal(r)
Presenting on SV and disability as part of
40hr Training for Mujeras Latinas en Acion

Team members Cathy Saunders(l) and Lisa Cesal(r)
co-presented a webinar on self advoccy

What's happening in 2016?

We are getting ready for an exciting 2016.  We have lots in the works.  We will have regular updates here, on our blog.  

• Posts to get to know our team members and member organizations
• Activities for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) which is April, 
• Participating in the 2016 Disability Pride Parade, and more.
• Follow us on twitter @ilimagineschgo
• Follow us on our NEW instagram @ilimagineschicago
• Like us on facebook

Stay tuned. :)
IL Imagines Chicago Team