Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
2025-07-09 15:54, 2025-07-17 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Third Thursday of each month, 3-5PM CST
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.
Join the Gathering on Zoom
The virtual gathering happens on the third Thursday of each month, from 3-5pmCST, and is facilitated by Mojdeh Stoakley, with occasional guest facilitators. The gathering begins with a check in and dialogue on current events, followed by a trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors of sexual harm. Attendees are invited to share their writing, if comfortable.
Virtually Together is supported by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and is produced and facilitated by Surviving the Mic.
More information about the Surviving the Mic method for holding brave space for those navigating the effects of trauma due to sexual violence is available at www.survivingthemic.org
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89465588394?pwd=[REDACTED]

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
2025-08-21 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-18 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-16 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-20 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-15 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-19 15:00 - 17:00 and 6 more dates | Virtual
Third Thursday of each month, 3-5PM CST
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.
The virtual gathering happens on the third Thursday of each month, from 3-5pmCST, and is facilitated by Mojdeh Stoakley, with occasional guest facilitators. The gathering begins with a check-in and dialogue on current events, followed by a trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors of sexual harm. Attendees are invited to share their writing, if comfortable. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Join the Gathering on Zoom
Virtually Together is supported by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and is produced and facilitated by Surviving the Mic.
More information about the Surviving the Mic method for holding brave space for those navigating the effects of trauma due to sexual violence is available at survivingthemic.org.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89465588394?pwd=[REDACTED]

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:00 and 4 more dates | Virtual
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 12PM-1PM CT
Join CAASE for our monthly virtual community forum, Let’s Chat Over Lunch. At each gathering, we’ll discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. Let’s Chat Over Lunch will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month from noon-1pm.
Join the Conversation on Zoom
Topics for each gathering will be updated as current events unfold. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030893716?pwd=[REDACTED]

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 1-2PM CT
Join CAASE for our monthly virtual community forum, Let’s Chat Over Lunch. At each gathering, we’ll discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. Let’s Chat Over Lunch will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month.
Please note the change made for this month’s event! This event will be held from noon until 1 pm.
Join the Conversation on Zoom
Topics for each gathering will be updated as current events unfold. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030893716?pwd=[REDACTED]

Celebrating Allies 2025
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | 320 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606, 320 S. Canal St., Chicago, 60606, United States
Thank you for making Celebrating Allies 2025 a success! Read more about the evening on our blog, Celebrating Allies Honors Critical Partners.
Join us at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation’s 2025 annual fundraiser as we bring together our supporters, advocates, allies, and survivors to celebrate the work of ending sexual harm and uplift those who are making a difference. The program will feature an award ceremony to honor transformational leadership in culture change, as well as critical legal work accomplished for survivors of sexual harm.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CDT
320 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606
Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Tickets
Registration for the event is now closed. If you are unable to attend Celebrating Allies 2025 but would still like to support the event, we would be grateful if you made a donation in honor of the event!
DONATE TO CELEBRATING ALLIES

Honorees and Speakers
Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler – Visionary Award Honorees
One of CAASE’s primary concerns has always been how Black women and girls in Chicago are disproportionately exploited and harmed. You can find some of our thoughts in media coverage on these issues here and here. Journalists investigating on the front lines have always played a critical role in exposing these realities, and this year we are truly excited to be honoring and celebrating journalists Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler at our annual Fall Fundraiser! Their series (published by the Invisible Institute) investigated how Chicago police responded to missing Black women and girls, shining critical light on a topic that is too often overlooked. The journalists won a Pulitzer Prize for their series in the Local Reporting category.
We are thrilled that Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler have agreed to let us honor them this year. Secure your spot to celebrate them today!
Nathan Henderson – Pro Bono Luminary Award

Nathan Henderson is an Associate in the Litigation Department at Saul Ewing LLP. In January 2024, Illinois enacted a new law allowing survivors of “deep fakes,” or digitally altered sexual images, to sue their abusers. This year, Nathan served as co-counsel with CAASE on one of the first lawsuits filed under this new law. Nathan exhibited incredible compassion and tireless advocacy on behalf of our client. He was innovative and bold in negotiating a settlement that exceeded the client’s expectations and included third-party verification that all images were wiped from the defendant’s devices. We are delighted to present Nathan Henderson with the Pro Bono Luminary Award at Celebrating Allies 2025.
Chapman and Cutler LLP – Pro Bono Excellence Award

We are honored to award Chapman and Cutler LLP with the Celebrating Allies 2025 Pro Bono Excellence Award. Chapman has a long history of dedicated pro bono service. The firm’s pro bono work is led by Partner Rebecca Wallenfelsz and Pro Bono Counsel Sara Ghadiri and supports a wide range of legal aid needs including gender-based violence-related matters. This year, Sara and Chapman Partner Eric Silvestri worked with CAASE to represent a sex trafficking survivor in a groundbreaking lawsuit brought under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law allowing survivors to sue those who profit from their trafficking. It is our hope that the outcome of this suit will provide a clear path forward for trafficking survivors’ healing and empowerment. We are proud to recognize Chapman’s dedication to this important and impactful work.

Sauntè Harden-Tate – Performer

Writer and Spoken Word Artist
Sauntè Harden-Tate (pronounced Sahn-tay) is a Black American Chicago Westside Native, creative writer, Advocate, Community Educator, Trauma Advocate, proud mother of two, and wife. With a deep-rooted passion for healing, advocating, and educating the community on trauma, Saunte has over 10 years of advocacy and prevention work. With her deep understanding of trauma, Sauntè has a special affinity for uplifting and educating the community on the long-stemming traumas and struggles that disproportionately affect the Black community. Knowing firsthand and witnessing the depth of trauma among black people, Sauntè has a profound desire to start the healing process. She created a web show called “Oh! We Gon’ Talk!” which facilitates conversations centered around generational trauma within the black community. Sauntè not only uses public speaking to advocate and educate, but she also uses poetry and writing to share with others about different traumas and emotions.

Survivor Speaker
Survivor and former CAASE client

Guests will have the privilege of hearing directly from a survivor about the impact of sexual harm and the power of seeking justice with the support of compassionate allies. She is a former client of CAASE’s legal services and we’re honored to welcome her as a speaker.

Donate
Support survivors and back our mission to end sexual harm by giving today. Here are some ways your donation helps us in the fight against sexual harm:

$100 provides a stipend for survivors who share expertise and input on CAASE policies and programs
$350 enables the Prevention team to conduct a one-hour training on sexting or pornography to a classroom of high school students
$500 funds the hosting of one focus or support group for survivors
$1,000 funds the purchase of one computer for a CAASE staffer
$1,800 covers the cost of implementing one 5-session Prevention program to a high school classroom
$5,000 covers the cost of resolving one legal matter for a survivor of sexual harm
$7,500 pays for comprehensive legal services for one survivor for one year
$10,000 resolves two legal matters for survivors

MAKE A DONATION
Generous Sponsors
Sponsoring Celebrating Allies is a wonderful way to support survivors and demonstrate a commitment to ending sexual harm. We welcome you to look over the sponsorship opportunities and contact LaQuita Hearn-Quinn and take full advantage of sponsorship benefits. Call 773-244-2230 ext. 217 or email lhearnquinn@caase.org.
BECOME A SPONSOR
We are gladly accepting new sponsors up until the event. To be included in printed sponsor materials, we kindly ask you to submit your sponsorship by Wednesday, October 8.
Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors
The Friedman Family Fund

Silver Sponsors

Denise Fogus Gibson

Bronze Sponsors

Stay connected to CAASE and hear about all the amazing work we’re doing with your support by subscribing to CAASE’s newsletter and following us on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.
