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Illinois Imagines

We are the local team of a state-wide project which seeks to improve services for women with disabilities who have been victims of sexual violence. The project is directed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois rape crisis centers, disability service agencies and self-advocates. Collaborative teams have been established in 32 communities across the state. Our local team is an action group of the DCP/SAFE coalition.

Mission:
The collaboration, together with community members who have disabilities and/or experience sexual violence, will learn the unique needs from survivors with disabilities. We will develop and strengthen partnerships to meet those needs and promote practices that recognize and support survivors with disabilities. We will identify and address obstacles faced by women with disabilities who are seeking services as survivors of sexual violence and educate and empower survivors about their rights.

Anyone interested in joining our Action Group is welcome to attend our next meeting. Currently, our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 12:00-1:30pm at the Family Service Agency. A light lunch is provided. Our next meeting will be: JAN. 14, 2013

Please contact Marj Askins (committee chair) at (815) 756-5228 or maskins@safepassagedv.org with any questions.

Upcoming Events:

One Voice: A Program of Expression - 7-9pm on Jan 31, 2013: ”Student organizations and departments will have the opportunity to express and show how and why they say “no” to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking at NIU.” More info here.
Evening of Chocolate - 6:30 to 8:30pm on February 9, 2013: Annual fundraiser for Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center. More info here.

Meeting Minutes:

January 14, 2013 [view] [download]
December 10, 2012 [view] [download]
October 12, 2012 [view] [download]
August 21, 2012 [view] [download]

Meetings & Events

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Attendees: Caprisha Williams, Shana Stringfellow, Michelle Christensen, Marjorie Askins, Niki Thakkar, Anna Stevens

1. Introductions and Welcome
2. Approval of Agenda and Minutes (Aug 2012)
3. New Business:
1. a. Illinois Imagines Regional Training & Meetings

New meeting time was discussed and it was decided to move it up a half hour to accommodate some of our new members. Meetings will now be held every 2^nd Monday of every month from 12-1:30.

Thursday November 8^th is the next regional meeting in Decatur, IL. The purpose of the meetings is to get IL Imagines teams together and to share what it is that they are doing. Caprisha and Marj intend on attending this training. Anyone else interested in attending please contact Marj for carpooling.

b. FY 13 Budget

i. $500 was written into the Drug Free Communities FY13 budget for visual supports/training materials and new IL Imagines pamphlets.

ii. Marj spoke about her desire to create new brochures for the IL Imagines group. Michelle Christensen offered to look over previously used materials and helping Marj create some new materials. Discussion was had about what and where to find information . Contact information for brochures was discussed. New website is up and running and IL Imagines will have access to update their own website.

iii. Michelle Christensen posed the question as to what types of members they are looking to recruit. Caprisha mentioned that she would like to see more parents involved. Diana recommended adding more self advocates from the two high rises. Marj will send out a e-mail later today to get a better idea of where to hold the meetings and where to get self advocates. Diane mentioned that there needs to be more visibility of the group in the community. Printing of the new resource will be huge in getting the publicity out there.

iv. For the next meeting the plan is to have a good idea of what the pamphlet will look like. From there we will distribute. Also plan to develop a flyer for the group to hang in the community.

v. Marj gave an update on where she stands with her community education project. She has been giving presentations in the community for Safe Passage and explained that the curriculum is not the difficult part but getting in contact with the school point of contacts and their busy schedule.

c. Upcoming Events:

i. Altrusa Spelling Bee in Sycamore – Thursday, November 8^th @ 7 pm

ii. DCP/SAFE Annual Assembly coming up October 23^rd

iii. NIU is having a showing of Invisible War and panel discussion on October 23^rd 6pm – 9pm.

iv. Pioneering Helath

v. House Café – Saturday, November 3^rd @ 7pm variety show – proceeds go to Safe Passage.

d. Review of Mission and Goals for the next meeting. Marj will e-mail goals out to group.
e. Co-Chair Position: Carpisha

4. Adjourn: 1:36pm
5. Next Meeting: November 12^th , 12:00-1:30 ~Family Service Agency

Our Mission:

MISSION

The Collaboration together with survivors of sexual violence will:

Learn of the distinct needs from survivors with disabilities.

Develop and strengthen partnerships to meet the needs of those survivors.

Promote practices that recognize and support survivors.

Remove obstacles faced by women with disabilities who are seeking services as survivors of sexual violence.

Educate survivors about their rights.

Illinois Imagines is a DCP/SAFE Action Group.

For more information, contact Anna Stevens at anna@bengordoncenter.org

Meeting Date: Tues, August 21, 2012

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Family Service Agency – DeKalb, IL

Chair: Diana King

Those in attendance: Michelle Christensen, Ricky Robarts, Nancy Sprietser-Duitsman, Diana King, Caprisha Williams, Kelly Phalen, Lisa Jensen, Marjorie Askins, Niki Thalelear, and Anna Stevens.

1. Introductions and Welcome
2. Approval of Agenda and Minutes
3. New Business
1. A. New Chair Position: Diana began discussion. Marj still expressed interest and accepted the chair position. Anna mentioned that as chair one piece is to attend the Steering Committee Meetings. Meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at Reality House 631 S First St, 12:00 – 1:00. Next meeting is Sept.4, 2012.

Co-Chair Position: Caprisha came late, but has agreed to fill the co-chair position. She does have a conflict with the current meeting time due to classes. Group discussed and decided to change the meetings to the second Monday of each month, 12:30 – 2:00, at FSA. Diana will confirm room availability and let Michelle know if there is a conflict.

C. Future of Illinois Imagines: As last meeting minutes note, group must decide whether they can fulfill grant requirements and continue as an action group or if group will switch to an affiliate. As Marj has agreed to be group’s chairperson, she feels that the group can meet such requirements and could continue as an action group. Group agrees. Anna informed group that they will need write a proposal and present to Steering Committee at their next meeting of Sept. 4 for final approval. The proposal should include:

1. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention among the youth 18 and under
2. Activities and/or events
3. Costs
4. How they will connect with schools
5. Timeline including how, who, what, where, when
6. Idea of session outline
7. How Illinois Imagines members will help, etc.

Next meeting group will begin to establish new goals, look at mission/vision statement determine how members can contribute, and the direction group will take. Michelle will email Marj the brochure and flier, as they will need tweaking, her school contacts for the Special Education Teachers, and past goals to group for viewing before next meeting.

4. Adjourn: 1:45
5. Next Meeting: Monday, Sept 10, 2012

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Christensen

Recorder