#EverybodyEats

Our largest initiative, #EverybodyEats food justice program distributes food to combat hunger in our communities and support local community events, public actions, and citywide mutual aid efforts. Led by Chef Kwamena Jackson, we have built a team of farmers, culinary artists, and volunteer gardeners that responsibly steward 1 acre of land and cook nourishing meals for the community. Through this program, we seek to build power, food sovereignty, and Black liberatory models of sustainability in our communities.

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#BreathingRoom Event Series

The #BreathingRoom event series blends performance and political education to build coalitions, raise consciousness, and support healing amongst artists, activists, and neighbors most directly impacted by mass incarceration. #BreathingRoom events feature activists, poets, rappers, political scholars, community organizers, comedians, musicians, burlesque artists, and many other performance genres. We also open our space to community programs to operate healing events, such as Chicago Torture Justice Center and in care of Black women. 

 

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ArtSeed 

Since 2020, the Collective has partnered with the Chicago Park District to provide arts programming to community youth through the ArtSeed program. Park District Teaching Artists meet with participants ages 6-15 in the Collective’s community garden 1-2 times per week. Youth participate in storytelling, music, movement, and nature play with the goal of connecting to and establishing a reciprocal relationship with local land. In 2021, youth created sustainable bird feeders, garden signage, murals, and more. 

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Soul Service  

Soul Service is an abolitionist healing clinic powered by The #LetUsBreathe Collective (@letusbreathe773), NurturHer (@nurturher) and TBanks (@tbanksmultis). Soul Service is a monthly summer series and recalibration space for Black and Indigenous folks focused on building strength, resilience, and community.

T Banks (@tbanksmultis) and Jennifer Pagan will lead each session with functional and intentional movement and collaborate alongside other healers and practitioners to offer a new wellness pop-up each month Various healing modalities and practices will be available throughout the series, including massage, reiki, capoeira, yoga, meditation, breath work and so much more!

Soul Service is free and open to the public on the following Sundays 2-4p at #BreathingRoom Gardens & Farm (5045 S. Laflin): 

Sunday, July 24
Sunday, August 7
Sunday, September 11
Sunday, October 2