YWCA Evanston/North Shore to lead racial healing circles for National Day of Racial Healing
Adults who live, work, or worship in Evanston are invited to take part in racial healing circles led by YWCA Evanston/North Shore at various sites throughout Evanston, January 21-24.The racial healing circles are being held in conjunction with the National Day of Racial Healing on January 21. The National Day of Racial Healing, which was launched by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017 as part of its initiative for racial equity, is a call to action that includes events across the country dedicated to truth telling and trust building.YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s racial healing circles, which are the first ever for the organization and for Evanston, will be composed of groups of 30 people or fewer who will meet for one 2.5-hour session at various locations throughout the city. They will be led by trained facilitators.Participation in the healing circles is free, but registration by January 16 is required. Participants can register via the YWCA’s website at: www.ywca-ens.org/racial-healing-circles/ or by calling the YWCA at 847-864-8445.“YWCA is honored to take an active role in the National Day of Racial Healing and bring racial healing circles to our own backyard,” said Karen Singer, President and CEO of YWCA Evanston/North Shore. “Healing circles reaffirm the humanity in all of us and lift up what unites us instead of what divides us. They help us discover, respect, and honor the unique experiences and histories of each participant.”She added, “Racial healing circles, which have been successful in other communities, are an important step toward dismantling racism because they build empathy, trust, and openness, leading to longer-term change.”Following are the dates and locations of the racial healing circles in Evanston:
- Tuesday, January 21, 1:30-4 pm at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center (2100 Ridge Avenue)
- Wednesday, January 22, 9:30 am-noon at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center or 6:30-9:00 pm at the Ridgeville Park District (908 Seward Street).
- Thursday, January 23, 1:30-4 pm at YWCA Evanston/North Shore (1215 Church Street)
- Friday, January 24, 9:30 am-noon at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (2121 Sheridan Road).