This Spring, Firebird's Social Worker, Danie Nitardy, facilitated two sessions for staff and leadership where they dove into specific concepts of trauma informed care that resonate most in our context. What ensued were rich discussions and complicated nuanced scenarios that defied simple answers or approaches. Here we share...
In January 2024, Firebird staff engaged with the brilliant Dr. S Simmons to help us explore collective responsibility, or community accountability. His approach is rooted in principles of accountability and transformative justice. Above is one resource he shared defining accountability in this way. Really want to nerd out?...
A series of memorials commemorating the worst instance of racial violence in Chicago history that have yet to be installed on city streets are now temporarily on view as part of a neighborhood art gallery’s final exhibition. The memorials recall the Chicago race riots of 1919, where for...
The Trace —
N’Kosi Barber lost a friend in a shooting. Now, he’s helping Chicagoans who have endured similar losses move on through the craft of glassblowing.
By Justin Agrelo
Jul 7, 2023
Read more here...
Chicago Sun-Times —
Thousands of people pass by Adams Street and Wabash Avenue every day, climbing the stairs to the L, or heading to the Art Institute or other spots in the Loop. Few may know that corner is a murder scene, part of the 1919 riots during which, for...
These are a series of signs and learning tools we have developed for use in our community studio space. Maybe some of them can be of use to you and your community?
Introduction "When we talk about being asset-based we mean eliminating the practice of defining less-protected communities as a culmination of deficits or traumas. Asset-based means first recognizing that all communities, including those often labeled as “marginalized” or “disenfranchised,” are filled with knowledge, skills, ideas, and solutions that if...
This “Public Service Announcement on
Philanthropy and Charitable Giving” is a guide that explains many of the common
misconceptions about giving to nonprofits, and how you can adjust your giving strategy to have the biggest impact.
Things we have done/are doing to dismantle white supremacy: Diversifying our Executive Board from 100% white in 2012 to over half POC currently Prioritizing access of South and West Side youth of color to rarefied art media in schools and in our studio Employing Black and Brown youth...
