NEWSLETTER February, 2018
CTJC Provides New Services Support Groups
CTJC will begin support groups for participants and their families this February. These groups will be provided for Burge Torture Survivors, other survivors of police torture, family members of survivors, and community members that have experienced police violence. Support groups are important for people who share a common experience, such as a specific kind of trauma, and can provide a safe place for people to feel supported and heal. When people experience trauma they may feel others do not understand their experience unless they’ve gone through it. Support groups help members feel they are not alone. In the case of police violence and torture it can be helpful to share experiences with other survivors, and to see how they have coped with the challenges of recovery. Case Management
Are you looking for a job or affordable housing? Are you in need of vocational or educational training to reach your goals? Come talk to Rodney about case management. To arrange an appointment, call 773-962-0395 or email rodney@chicagotorturejustice.org. You can also stop by the center during our drop-in hours on Mondays from 1:00pm–5:00pm.
Voices from the Inside
Speakers Bureau Training
Chi City by Carl Williams (Excerpt)
And like a drifter you can’t walk alone Or you’ll feel the burdens trying to cover you Trying to conquer you and make you just a memory You see the same reflections of the Hoods Lose touch and never gain touch Looking for the light on the dark side of it Don’t ask to enter cause it don’t have doors All it have is pain And if the sun comes up tomorrow, then let you breathe, let you breathe
CTJC’s Speakers Bureau is up and running!
If you have words, stories and arts you want to share from behind the prison walls, please write to us at: Chicago Torture Justice Center, 641 W. 63rd St. Chicago, IL 60621. Photo: Carl Williams (above)
We have been getting requests from public schools, universities, churches and other community groups who want to hear from survivors and family members of police torture. Compensation is provided. If interested in participating in the Speakers Bureau and you are a survivor or family member, please attend our upcoming training to learn more. The training will be held on Thursday, February 22nd from 6pm to 9pm at Freedom UM Church, 2000 W. 68th St. Dinner will be provided. If you have questions about the Speakers Bureau, contact Rodney Walker at: rodney@chicagotorturejustice.org or 773-962-0395.
UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, February 1st Family of Survivors of Police Torture Support Group 6pm to 7:30pm at BING Reading Room, 307 E. Garfield Blvd (open to family members of survivors) Monday, February 5th Police Violence Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Wednesday, February 7th Survivors of Police Torture Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to survivors of police torture)
Speaking Truth to Power
Saturday, February 10th Survivors and Family Advisory Meeting 10am to 12pm at CTJC (open to survivors and family members) Monday, February 12th Police Violence Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Monday, February 19th Police Violence Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Wednesday, February 21st Survivors of Police Torture Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to survivors of police torture) Thursday, February 22nd Speakers Bureau Training 6pm to 9pm at Freedom UM Church, 2000 W. 68th St (open to survivors and family members) Monday, February 26th Police Violence Support Group 1pm to 2:30pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Tuesday, February 27th Presentation, “The Criminalization of Our Neighbors, the Chicago Police: Burge, Domestic Torture, and Justice” 5:30pm to 8pm at DePaul University, DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005 (8th floor)
NEW OFFICE HOURS Mondays – 9am to 5pm Tuesdays - 8am to 4pm Wednesdays – 8am to 4pm Thursday – 10am to 6pm Fridays – By appointment Please Donate: Interested in supporting the Center or having a survivor, family member, or staff come speak in your community? Our website has been updated to include a donation button and a speaker request form. www.chicagotorturejustice.org
Photo: Gregory Banks (above)
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Gregory Banks and Cindy Eigler spoke with students and faculty at the MLK Celebrations at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Gregory invoked the names of many survivors of police violence and torture while explaining to the audience that he is more than just a survivor of police torture. Gregory spoke of his identity as a father, husband, son, sibling, friend, and neighbor. He shared how the violence he experienced at the hands of police impacted and wounded everyone in his life and in his community, in addition to himself. His spoke about how healing plays an integral role to regaining our wholeness and moving towards justice. Thank you Gregory for sharing your truth!
Community Meetings Starting this March, the structure of our monthly survivors meetings will change. We will be creating a space open to anyone impacted by policy violence where we can build community and collectively work towards a strategic and coordinated vision. Please join us on Saturday, March 10th for the first open meeting and help us spread the word. A leadership body of survivors and family members will make up the Survivor and Family Advisory Council, which will help lead the monthly community meetings and inform the direction of the Center.