Stories Matter Foundation Statements on Social Justice
Statement to Support Our Community
Stories Matter Foundation, through StoryStudio Chicago, The Chicago Stories Project, and the Chicago Review of Books, stands in solidarity with immigrant communities in Chicago and beyond. We condemn escalating violence from federal immigration officers. When any member of our community is threatened, every member of our community is threatened.
Our mission at StoryStudio Chicago is to build a community of writers eager to question, explore, celebrate, and change their worlds using the power of story. A tenet of this mission is creating a safe space for writers to gather, collaborate, and support one another. Gathering to share stories is an act of power and resistance and we continue to encourage all members of our writing community to join us at our workshops, free community events, festivals, and classes.
We are working in several ways to ensure members of our community with any immigration status feel safe coming to our space to write their stories. StoryStudio Chicago may not be used for civil immigration enforcement. We will exercise our right as a private organization to deny federal immigration officers access to the studio and we will do everything in our power to keep those who participate in our programs safe. If federal immigration enforcement is operating in our area during a workshop or event, we will take steps to ensure the safety of those in our space, including sheltering in place at our studio.
Several of our staff and faculty are undergoing training on effective strategies for ensuring safety, and we encourage everyone in our community to Know Your Rights, learn and share training opportunities, connect with your neighbors, and report sightings to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) at 855-435-7693.
Stories are more important now than ever before, especially those of immigrants and underrepresented communities. Stories have the power to change the world, and every person should feel safe and encouraged to tell theirs.
We offer the following resources to our community:
- IL Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) website https://www.icirr.org/ and hotline: 855-435-7693
- Printable Know-Your-Rights information, available in many languages from ICIRR: https://www.icirr.org/fsn
- ICIRR’s Eyes on Ice Network: https://icirr.quorum.us/campaign/ileyesonice/
- ICIRR’s Immigrant Family Resource Program: https://www.icirr.org/ifrp
- ICIRR’s New Americans Initiative: https://www.icirr.org/nai
- IL Immigration Information: https://www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org/ including information for Orgs and Employers: https://www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org/orgs-employers
- Embassy Info for Chicago: https://www.embassypages.com/city/chicago
Thank you to everyone in our community for your care and support. Please reach out to us with any questions – we are here to help.
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Stories Matter Foundation and StoryStudio Chicago believe the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs, overturning 50 years of established law, is an unconscionable attack on freedom, women’s rights, and the bodily autonomy of everyone who can become pregnant. In addition, it will impact women of color, low-income, and underrepresented communities at a staggering rate who do not have access to resources, community support, and advocacy. We wholeheartedly condemn it.
This is a stark reminder that being able to tell your own story is powerful and leads to change.
Through writing workshops and partnerships with organizations in underserved communities, Stories Matter Foundation will continue to provide social-emotional tools and storytelling skills to women and girls from various backgrounds, giving them time and space to share their own stories of health, abortion, and identity.
Join us in also supporting local organizations that provide access to women’s health care and abortion. Here in Chicago, we support the Midwest Access Coalition, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Chicago Abortion Fund, and the ACLU of Illinois.
Racism and hate have no place in our community. We stand in solidarity with victims of police brutality and systematic racism, especially the Black community.
As writers, we understand the importance of centering the narrative of those who have too often been silenced. We aim to amplify Black voices and organizations, and would direct you to educate, donate, and take action. A great place to start is Black Lives Matter Chicago. They can direct you to additional resources.