Together, We Rise 6-Week Program

The wolves are back! This time howling with intentional direction & purpose towards resilient transformation & collective liberation. Back for their 6th season, the tenacious SheWolf Sacred artist collective is teaming with the esteemed community of Self Reclaimed – with a foundation of similar missions – to bring you TOGETHER, WE RISE (TWR).

TWR is a 6-week long immersion into creative process & performance utilizing tools from creative & expressive arts therapeutic practices. This program intends to create opportunities for connecting, sharing unique narratives of healing, & fostering community within common grounding intentions.

We will explore these inquiries:

• Is there a story within your body/mind that is ready to emerge?
• What is your unique version of resilient transformation?
• What does liberation mean to you?
• How can your personal healing contribute to larger society?

Our culminating performance event will take place at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater this September 2023, with an opportunity to be witnessed in our cohesive group creation along with other SheWolf Sacred & Self-Reclaimed artists & community members.

FAQ:

What are the dates?

Monday, August 14th: TWR 6-Week Program Start (In-Person)

• August 14th
• August 21st
• August 28th
• Sept. 4th
• Sept. 11th
• Sept. 18th

Wednesday, Sept. 27th: Tech Rehearsal (In-Person)

Thursday, Sept. 28th & Friday, September 29th: TWR Community Performance Night at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater

(Full itinerary details with times and locations will be available upon registration)

Do I need to attend all of the sessions to participate?

7/24 Exploratory Workshop: Optional

8/7 Orientation and Meet & Greet: Optional

8/14 - 9/18 TWR 6-Week Program: Required

9/27 Tech Rehearsal: Required

9/28 & 9/29 TWR Performance Nights: Required

While we encourage all cohort members to attend all required sessions, we understand that sometimes emergencies arise. We are here to support you throughout the duration of this program and encourage communication with your facilitators so that we can create the best possible experience for all members.

Can I just sign up for a single session of the 6-week program?

We are not opening this program up for drop-ins. TWR is designed to support a consistent cohort of individuals to not only build trust among the group, but to also build upon each session.

Where is the location for this program?

The John York Building in Pilsen

Address: 1932 S Halsted St #401, Chicago, IL 60608, USA

(Elevator accessible)

What are TWR’s program intentions?

1. To facilitate an experience of creative process and performance for survivors of sexual violence
2. To provide a culminating event opportunity to be witnessed in community
3. To foster supportive community around shared experience
4. To elicit a therapeutic/healing response in participants, contributing to meaning making and integration into larger life

Who should join?

Survivors: individuals who have been impacted directly or indirectly by SA and DV. We recognize that not all individuals who have been impacted, identify as a survivor, and therefore provide this larger context of what we mean by "survivor."

We recommend this program for survivors that are in later stages of their healing journey:

• For those that have acknowledged, processed, and metabolized trauma responses/triggers and have been in relationship to an embodied narrative or psychosomatic form of processing.
• For those that have been working with a therapist, licensed guide, or medical professional to facilitate growth and progress.

What is the registration process like?

Once you complete the online registration, our team will contact you within 48 hours to set up a short phone call to walk through the program and answer any questions you may have. We want you to feel excited and prepared for our program start together!

Is this a therapy group?

While some of our facilitators may be fully licensed professionals, Together, We Rise is not a therapy group! You can think of this program as an emotional support & movement group that provides therapeutic benefits. There may be similarities in how therapy groups and support groups are set up to protect the privacy of our members. If any member requires a higher level of support or a referral for therapy support, Self-Reclaimed offers a Care Guidance program to get you started. Learn more here.

Do I need a background in art to participate?

Absolutely not! Our trained facilitators will guide all participants through each session.

Is there a fee?

Once registered  in the 6-week program, it is free for participants.

Who are the facilitators?

Julie Brannen, LCPC, BC-DMT, Founder of SheWolf Sacred (she/they)

Learn more about Julie on her LinkedIn!

Vanessa De Leon, LCPC, BC-DMT, PhD Candidate in Expressive Arts Therapy, Founder & CEO of Self-Reclaimed (she/hers)

Learn more about Vanessa on her LinkedIn!

How can I get involved if I can’t participate:

Become a sponsor! We will open sponsorship opportunities in August 2023.

Will there be community agreements to ensure safety?

Modeling after SheWolf + Self-Reclaimed's programs and events, there will be specific community agreements to ensure the safest environment possible for all who are participating in the workshops and performance experience. These will be provided as we get closer to the program as well as created with the participants in  the group.

Questions:

If there are any questions about whether this program is right for you or about details, please direct to shewolfsacred@gmail.com