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FROM CHAOS TO ACTION
APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH – HOW WILL YOU JOIN THE MOVEMENT?
Join us in transforming how we confront and end sexual violence. Together, we are building a culture rooted in liberation, accountability, and community care—where survivors are centered, empowered, and heard. Through creativity, connection, and collective healing, we’re reclaiming our power and rewriting our stories.
What is SAAM—
and Why We’re Taking Action
This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we’re raising $10,000 to fund our most powerful initiative yet: the SR-EXA Facilitator Certification Program—a survivor-centered, expressive arts-based training that equips community members to lead radical healing spaces grounded in justice and joy.
As a survivor-led nonprofit based in Chicago and Evanston, IL, we're fired up to be delivering an exciting month filled with creative healing events, performances, and advocacy across the Chicagoland area.
View our calendar of events below to take action with us this month!
And as a grassroots organization, every dollar towards our $10,000 goal directly grows a network of healing justice leaders—and fuels an entire month of events designed to advance our mission.
SAAM Event Calendar
Select an event on the calendar to learn more and how to register!
APRIL 17, 2025 |
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Yoga +
Sound Bath
HAIBAYÔ
1132 W Argyle St,
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Donate to Nessa's Campaign Page
This April, join the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) for a special in-person Wellness Thursday at HAIBAYÔ in Argyle. Led by Vanessa Rae De Leon, LCPC, BC-DMT, RYT — founder and Co-CEO of Self-Reclaimed — this yoga session is not only an opportunity to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit, but also a space to stand in solidarity with survivors and support the ongoing work of healing justice.
APRIL 18, 2025 |
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Serendipitous Comedy Show
Uptown Taproom
1265 West Wilson Avenue Chicago, IL 60640
Come join us for a night of laughter and heartfelt stories to support Self-Reclaimed and Cloud & Bunny Short Film’s fundraiser event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
This is a new kind of comedy show where 5 hilarious comedians will take the stage to perform a 5-minute standup set followed by a vulnerable story about a serendipitous encounter.
You will laugh, you will cry, and you will heal together in this community-driven event.
Following the show will be a script reading of Cloud & Bunny, a short film inspired by true events from a real friendship that was cultivated at Ravenswood, a real-life baby boutique, Cloud & Bunny.
Every ticket to this show raises funds for Self-Reclaimed and Cloud & Bunny Short Film and includes raffle tickets to win incredible prizes.
APRIL 19, 2025 |
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Amber Amplified x Self-Reclaimed: Healing Out Loud
Amber Agave
1310 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Donate to Amber Agave's Campaign Page
Join us for Amber Amplified: Healing Out Loud, a powerful and heart-centered panel discussion uplifting survivor voices, community care, and our collective healing journeys. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 2025, this event creates a brave, grounded space to reflect on how we heal out loud—through community, creativity, boundaries, and radical compassion.
Facilitated as an embodied, interactive dialogue, this event brings together four dynamic panelists and one intentional host to reflect on a critical component of survivor-centered work: Radical Compassion & Boundaries.
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The nuances of care, safety, and accountability within survivor communities
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Embodied regulation tools that help us navigate tough conversations
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How expressive arts and activism play a role in collective healing
50% of all sales made from 5:00PM-8:00PM on 19 April will be donated to Self-Reclaimed's Facilitator Certification Program!
APRIL 22, 2025 |
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Embodied Reclamation Movement Session Part III:
A Somatic 3-Part Series
Virtual Via Zoom
Donate to Amalu Coaching's Campaign Page
Join us for the final session of our 3-part Free Movement Series, co-hosted by Amalu Coaching, LLC and Self-Reclaimed. This special 75-minute virtual gathering offers a space for self-exploration, connection, and healing through movement.
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we invite you to move with intention, release what no longer serves you, and root into community. Whether you've joined previous sessions or this is your first, you're welcome here.
This series was created to uplift our community in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires and current political climate. Together, we’ll deepen our collective healing and create an inclusive space for everyone to move and connect with one another.
If this resonates with you, we’d love for you to join us. Let’s flow together and create a vibrant, community together through movement!
APRIL 24, 2025 |
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Glow & Flow: Move, Groove & Ground
Robert Crown
Community Center
1801 Main St.
Evanston, IL 60202
Donate to Marina Alvarez's Campaign Page
Let your body lead the way. Glow & Flow is an empowering, joy-filled movement workshop blending stretch, zumba, belly dance, and grounding practices to help you reconnect with your inner light. Guided by Marina Alvarez, this workshop is a celebration of embodiment, resilience, and reclaiming joy through movement.
No dance experience needed—just bring your whole self and a willingness to groove.
APRIL 24, 2025 |
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Brush It Off: A Creative Release Workshop
Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave.,
Evanston, IL 60202
Emotions have layers—and so does art. Join us for Brush It Off, an expressive workshop led by JessTimeless Art, where you’ll explore your emotional story through a guided emotions exercise, followed by painting and decorating your own tote bag as a creative release.
No art experience needed—just come as you are.
Materials provided
APRIL 27, 2025 |
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Pole Class
(All Levels) +
Clothes Swap
The Brass Ring
2511 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Donate to Julia Gardziel's Campaign Page
Join us at The Brass Ring for an all-levels Pole Icons class—a movement space to celebrate confidence, joy, and embodied power. No experience needed!
👚 Stick around after class for a Spring Cleaning Clothing Swap, featuring chainstitch & embellishments by Mister Baby.
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A Day of Reclamation: Year of the Snake
Saturday, May 3, 2025
1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
Ahimsa Yoga Studio
614 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60126
Join us for an intimate 2-hour gathering where we move together—through body, story, and creative expression—guided by the ancient wisdom of the snake. Together, we’ll root into the sacred act of reclamation: shedding what no longer serves, and stepping into our power with intention.
Through somatic movement, art-making, and community conversation, we’ll journey through the 4 Stages of the Snake:
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Coiled Chaos – survival tension and stillness
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Molting – the stirrings of discomfort and awakening
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Shedding – courageous release
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Serpent in Motion – action through embodied power
What to Expect:
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Facilitated by Self-Reclaimed’s co-CEOs, Vanessa De Leon and Gabriela Starr
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Intimate container (limited to 20 participants)
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1 entry for our “Serpent’s Sanctuary” wellness basket
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An opportunity to connect with others through guided prompts centered around our event's theme
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Guided art somatic journey through the 4 snake stages—no experience needed
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Live performance - “Navigating the After” by Darvin Dances
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Light refreshments
This is a free, intimate gathering held in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)—a space to bear witness, move through, and rise together.
With love and gratitude to Ahimsa Yoga Studio for opening their space to this work of healing and transformation.
Limited Capacity -
20 Tickets Available
Become an Advocate
It's never to late to join this initiative! Advocates are partners who are deeply aligned with this mission. Are you an individual, business, or organization that believes in healing, justice, and community care?
This April, join us in supporting survivors and reclaiming stories during SAAM 2025. Whether you donate a % of sales, offer goods or services, host an event, or help us spread the word—your support makes a difference.
Let’s create impact, together.
Submit the form above or contact us directly!
E'la Smith, Director of Community Initiatives
Become a Partner, Join a Movement
Align your brand with survivor-centered and trauma-informed values.
You're resourcing the leadership and wisdom of those most impacted.
Reach 1,000+ engaged local followers through our socials + website.
Be a catalyst in shifting the culture that allows SA + DV to persist.
We Are Grateful for our 2025 SAAM Advocates
This movement is only possible because of the incredible community that stands with us.
We’re deeply grateful to our 2025 SAAM Advocates—local businesses, organizations, and changemakers—who are helping us reclaim space, center survivors, and build a culture of collective healing.
Each logo below represents a partner who has said yes to action, healing, and liberation.
Click their logo to learn more about their work and how they’re supporting SAAM 2025.
🖤 Thank you for being part of this movement.
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Have questions or ideas? Let's connect.
📧 E’la Smith, Director of Community Initiatives
📍 esmith@selfreclaimed.org