IMPACT Chicago

06/04/2026

Great turnout last week at Women & Children First Bookstore for Meg Stone's (IMPACT Boston) book event, and a chance to reconnect with some fantastic ESD folks like Arlene Limas (PAVE Prevention) and Nancy Lanoue ((Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP). Wonderful seeing everyone!

05/28/2026

Love it!

Right now, women make up only two percent of automotive technicians in the US. But one Chicago non-profit is working to change that stat. In fact, "Mechanist...

05/26/2026

Please join us tomorrow WEDNESDAY, 5/27/2026 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Women & Children First Bookstore for an author event with IMPACT Boston's MEG STONE!! Discussing her new book DON'T FIGHT BACK (And 10 Other Myths about Crime, Personal Safety, and Gender-Based Violence).

COVID POLICY: Masks are strongly encouraged for in-store shopping & required for the majority of in-store events. We offer free masks at the front door, but deeply appreciate you bringing your own!  Close this alert

05/25/2026

In stressful times, we’re often told what not to do. Stay quiet. Don’t escalate. Don’t get involved.

But we believe in tools, not rules.

IMPACT Chicago Core class gives you options — clear verbal strategies, boundary-setting skills, and physical techniques you can use when needed.

Because empowerment isn’t about aggression. It’s about choices.

Register for a Core program today: https://www.impactchicago.org/core-program.html

JUNE CORE: 6/12-14 Use code IC10 to save 10%!

05/24/2026

Save the date!
Join us July 24-26 for Weaving Strength, NWMAF’s regional conference!
For more information about registration and offerings (including several from IMPACT), visit the link below or in the comments. The conference is co-ed, all genders are welcome!

https://nwmaf.org/weaving-strength-regional/registration/

Save the date!

Join us July 24-26 for Weaving Strength, NWMAF’s regional conference!

More information about registration and offerings coming soon. The conference is co-ed, all genders are welcome.

05/18/2026

We have two upcoming classes (IMPACT for Young Teens, May 30-31, IMPACT Core June 12-14). If you know someone who has been inspired by your experience, please let them know there are still spots available.

Keep expanding that powerful IMPACT feeling! Ripples in the pond!

https://www.impactchicago.org

05/17/2026

THIS.

Consent isn't a conversation you have once when they're older. It comes from moments like this when a child learns in real time that "stop" is not a suggestion. It's a complete sentence.

Looking for ways to bring more of these moments into your home? A great resource for starting the conversation with kids -- girls and boys alike -- is "Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent, and Respect" for ages 4 to 7 at https://www.amightygirl.com/body-boundaries

For older kids, we recommend the excellent "Consent (for Kids!)" for ages 6 to 10 at https://www.amightygirl.com/consent-for-kids

There is also a helpful guide for teens on topics such as consent and coercion, "Real Talk About S*x and Consent: What Every Teen Needs to Know," for ages 13 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/real-talk-about-sex-and-consent

To discuss topics such as sexual harassment, respect, and consent with tweens -- both girls and boys alike -- we recommend the insightful novel "Maybe He Just Likes You" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/maybe-he-just-likes-you

Credit: Mara Caitlin - Threads /

05/16/2026

Many thanks to our amazing instructor and volunteer team who got together last weekend to do the armor intro for our newest instructor-in-training. This is such an invaluable part of the process and we literally couldn't do it without the help of our IMPACT crew!

05/04/2026

“Fighting spirit” doesn’t always mean throwing punches. It means refusing to shrink.

It means saying “No.”
It means stepping in.
It means trusting your instincts.

If the headlines are leaving you feeling powerless, this is a place to channel that energy into strength.

Register for an Impact Core program today. Next class: June 12-14. Visit https://www.impactchicago.org/core-program.html for more information.

04/27/2026

Congrats to our April Core grads! Ripples in the pond, warriors unleashed! Well done, everybody!