Here Together: Still Strong
March 2nd-4th, 2021
Through this series, CSSP grantees will build their capacity in:
- Facilitating peer-to-peer learning to improve communication and dissemination strategies.
- Fostering leadership within culturally-specific communities to influence policies, practices, and systems
- Promoting practices that support self-care and wellbeing including art and cultural expression
THE SPEAKERS
THE AGENDA
Tuesday, March 2nd
welcome and introduction to here together: still strong
10:45-11 a.m CST
Speakers: Jose Juan Lara Jr., Casa de Esperanza
Session I: Defining Culturally Specific Organizations and Services
11 a.m-12 p.m CST
Speakers: Orchid Pusey, Asian Women’s Shelter, Mubina Qureshi, SEWA-AIFW
Session Facilitator: Hyejin Shim, Sexual Assault Program Coordinator, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence
What does it mean to be a culturally specific organization? And how do culturally specific organizations provide services by and for specific cultural communities with an emphasis on the voices and experiences of survivors at the intersections of interpersonal violence (such as sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, dating violence, etc.) and oppression (racism, homophobia, colonialism, xenophobia, etc.). This session will engage participants in an introspective conversation focusing on these two questions to meet the needs of communities that are unserved, underserved, or inadequately served.
Session II: kumbe healing circle
2-3 p.m CST
Speakers: Aiyana Sol Machado, Dr. Casandra Clark Mazariegos, Vanessa Cintron, Kumbe Healing and Wellness
This experience offers participants resilience building strategies for community and support groups. Participants will engage through movement, drumming, and guided conversation meditation.
Session III: Community Connections
3:00-3:30 p.m. CST
Participants will engage in a 30-minute debrief responding to the following questions:
- How do today’s sessions apply to your work?
- What stood out to you, or caught your interest?
- What were some key takeaways?
Wednesday, March 3rd
welcome
Session I: Managing Safety and Confidentiality in the time of COVID-19
11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST
Speakers: Jessie Urban-Guzman and Dolores Hernandez, LA VIDA Partnership
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic many organizations had to drastically alter their approach of providing services while maintaining the safety of the community and organizational staff. This meant integrating and relying on technology that no longer was limited to sending an email but continuing lifesaving services! During this session panelists will engage in a dialogue adapting direct services in a virtual reality, addressing the digital divide and confidentiality and safety.
Session II: looking forward: creativity and transformation in culturally specific services
2-3 p.m. CST
Speakers: Mira Yusef, Monsoon
“Culturally specific” is as dynamic and evolving as culture itself, and in these times of constant change, increased pressure, and uncertainty, anti-violence organizations have been tasked with rising to the dire challenges of both COVID-19 and its intersections with domestic and sexual violence. Mira Yusef of Monsoon: Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, based in Iowa City, will share about the multiple creative and transformative ways that advocates have been building a movement for culturally responsive survivor support in the face of increased violence. We will have time for an engaged and in-depth Q&A as well.
Session III: Community Connections
3-3:30 p.m. CST
Participants will engage in a 30-minute debrief responding to the following questions:
- How do today’s sessions apply to your work?
- What stood out to you, or caught your interest?
- What were some key takeaways?
Thursday, March 4th
welcome
10:45-11 a.m. CST
Speakers: Jose Juan Lara Jr., Casa de Esperanza
Session I: Working with Faith Communities
11 a.m.-12 p.m. CST
Speakers: Traci Jackson Antoine Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, La Donna Combs Sisters Against Abuse Society, Sunhee Kim, Korean American Family Services (KFAM), Lourdes Inoa Monegro and Karla Hernández, Taller Salud
Panel Facilitator: Sumayya Coleman, Women of Color Network
Communities of faith play a role in the response to and elimination of domestic violence, as they carry the responsibility to protect and nurture the spiritual wellbeing of the community as a whole and its individual members. This session will engage participants in a dialogue on what it means to collaborate with faith-based communities and advocate with survivors from many spiritual practices.
Session II: Engaging in Equitable Collaborative Efforts: How We Show Up Matters
2 -3 p.m. CST
Speakers: Paula Gomez Stordy and Lumarie Orozco, Casa de Esperanza
Description: This session will provide a brief overview of what it means to engage in equitable and meaningful collaborations. We will highlight key factors and principles identified through our work and research, that are critical to ensuring that culturally specific organizations can engage in equitable collaboration efforts with others. For those interested in learning more, additional opportunities will be made available soon.
Session III: Community Connections
3-3:30 p.m. CST
Participants will engage in a 30-minute debrief responding to the following questions:
- How do today’s sessions apply to your work?
- What stood out to you, or caught your interest?
- What were some key takeaways?
A FEW NOTES
Why Do You Use “@”?
Casa de Esperanza has chosen to use “@” in place of the masculine “o” when referring to people or things that are either gender neutral or both masculine and feminine in make-up. This decision reflects our commitment to gender inclusion and recognizes the important contributions that both men and women make to our communities.
Sponsorship
This series is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), in partnership with Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families & Communities (NLN), the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), the National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA), and the Women of Color Network, Inc (WOCN).
disclaimer
This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-TA-AX-K038 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
