It is only collectively that we will win.
CTJC Co-Directors Cindy Eigler and Aislinn Pulley, survivors, CTJC staff, and community celebrated together during our first holiday party in our new home.
2022 has brought many new memories, experiences, and learnings for us at the Chicago Torture Justice Center and we need you with us to enter powerfully into 2023. As the first and only center in the country dedicated to domestic torture, we thank you for your support which has been integral to allowing us to develop our politicized healing model, expand our team, and deepen our community work. We ask for you to continue supporting us into 2023 by donating to our annual year-end fundraiser, the Love-a-thon for Justice.
We have accomplished so much in 2022! We began the year with excitement as we moved into a new building coordinating much needed renovations to make the new location appropriate for our needs. In May, we celebrated the 7th anniversary of the Reparations Ordinance, our 5th birthday and officially opened in our new space. This marked the resumption of in person services and programming for the first time since the start of the pandemic. After two years of predominantly operating remotely for the safety of our collective health due to COVID, we were able to physically share space again on a regular basis. This has been so important for our ability to build and foster connection particularly during a period of such heavy losses.
This year, we celebrated the one year anniversary of our Peer Reentry team which is 100% designed and led by formerly incarcerated team members. This team, led by LaTanya Jenifor-Sublett, created a powerful set of values to guide its work, completed its first team retreat, deepened their commitments, and facilitated new connections with community inside thereby substantially increasing our reach to survivors who remain incarcerated.
Our organizing team tripled its capacity in 2022 as we brought on an additional community organizer and Director of Campaigns to join our seasoned and brilliant organizer, Mark Clements. Our powerful organizing team of three are now positioned to lead bold, aligned, and community led campaigns in the coming year(s) helping to build more radical and liberatory futures for our communities.
In 2022, our entire team participated in a year long Embodiment Training for Leadership with renowned somatics practitioner, Alta Starr. In addition to coming together via group learning, our team was able to experience the extra support of an individual somatic coach.
With the closing of this year we reflect with gratitude for the relationships that have deepened, the new community members we have welcomed in, the lessons we have learned, the spaces we have shared to mourn collectively, and the struggles we have fought and continue to fight in/with our community. We ask you to support our ability to continue and grow with a donation.
Your support allows us to fund this innovative and one-of-its-kind work. We were created through people struggling and organizing together for decades, and it is you who will allow this radical work to continue. We are grateful for you and ask you to join us by making a contribution of any amount today.
With strength and conviction in our shared values, we send love and appreciation to the learnings, experiences, and connections of the past year. We welcome 2023 with open hearts, clear vision, and fighting spirits. We need you to join us because it is only collectively that we will win.
With love and solidarity,
Aislinn and Cindy
CTJC Co-Executive Directors