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From the Desk of Samie Jo Johnson, Artistic Director
Dear Partner,
To borrow a phrase from Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (14th District),
what have you done lately to "put some gas in your tank?" Recently, Imagination Theater was pleased to attend the first of what is expected to be an annual symposium by the Chicago Prevention Alliance. Rep. Cassidy (on the left in this photo) was a keynote speaker, along with Chicago Alderman Daniel La Spata (1st Ward, pictured on the right).
Convened by the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, the CPA is made up of Chicagoland organizations that offer sexual harm prevention programming for children. Imagination Theater is a CPA member—in fact, we're on the steering committee—because of our Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. During a difficult time for many of us (and a highly charged time for all of us), it was energizing for us to hear from Rep. Cassidy, Ald. La Spata, an impressive slate of breakout speakers, and our colleagues.
While the focus was specifically on sexual harm prevention, the symposium was relevant to all of Imagination Theater's work. One theme that came up often was empathy and how it can help break some of the profoundly damaging cycles that harm all of us, whether directly or indirectly.
Thank you so much for your support as we continue to teach about sexual harm prevention, healthy conflict resolution, empathy, and kindness. And as this long Chicago winter continues on, don't forget to "refuel" by being kind to yourself, too!
Warm wishes,
Samie Jo Johnson
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