Mutual aid, a term that became familiar to many during the COVID years, operates from a collective will to address a human need that is unmet by the society’s structures and institutions. In response to a specific need - access to transportation, medicine, funds, food etc. - members of a community come together to create relationships and form a network that provides help to those who need it. Mutual aid efforts vary in scope, complexity, and longevity, but exist specifically to address a need that comes out of systemic inequalities in the distribution of resources in the society.

They are not unique to North American contexts either. Growing up in a working-class household in Jamaica, I understood the importance of mutual aid efforts before they were called such. Pardna, or partners, is an informal banking system organized largely by women to save money for large and important expenses. One’s draw - or turn to use the collective funds that had accrued - provided education and housing for many families. My grandmother was also a member of a “burial scheme” where members pooled resources to ensure that each person had a dignified burial at the end of their lives. Upon an individual’s death, funds were given to the family to pay for the funeral, and members showed up to the funeral en masse to celebrate the person’s life. Unlike other kinds of benefits, there are no strings attached to receiving support from mutual aid efforts. You receive help because you need it; in turn, you contribute what you can when you are able to. For communities that are underserved and marginalized from the existing structures that are supposed to serve and support them, access to mutual aid can make the difference between living and dying. Mutual aid does more than address the urgent needs of now; it also opens our eyes to what and whose needs are consistently being left unmet in the way that we currently do things. Mutual aid points us in the direction towards ensuring that justice and equity remain at the center of how we distribute the most basic resources that we need to survive - from food to water to shelter to health.

1. Hurricane relief

Since 2011, I have spent a portion of every summer in western Jamaica. There, I have been engaging young people - from babies to young adults - and their families in creative activities designed to foster literacy and enhance personal and community wellbeing. This is some of the hardest work that I have ever done, but it also brings me enormous joy. Watching the destructive path that hurricane Melissa carved through the community that I have worked in for years, and recalling the experience of Puerto Rico and Haiti in the wake of previous disasters, I have a sense about how challenging the days and years ahead will be. I am also reminded that tropical storms may be part of the DNA of the region, but the increasing ferocity and destruction tells us far more about countries of the global north - their wants, desires, habits, and the increasingly negative impact on island-countries like Jamaica. What can you do? 

Read the rest of the note here...

[ID: Buildings destroyed by a hurricane and volunteers packing supplies. Next to them are details about the "Support Families in Jamaica Emergency Supply Drive."]

I'm a new paragraph block.

Wednesday, November 12 | 3-5pm - TODAY!
WLRC, 1700 SSB
Audience: Everyone (open to the public)

Thick. Fat. Strong. Sturdy. Obese. Healthy.

Join us for a conversation about how Black women and femmes navigate ideas about health and body size in the U.S., especially in this moment when “weight loss” is being heavily promoted as necessary for happiness and good physical and mental health.

[ID: Three Black women in colorful clothes with various small food items scattered around and between them. Above them are the title, date, and location of the Body Size & Health event.]

Thursday, November 13 | 3-4:30pm
WLRC (1700 SSB) & Zoom
Audience: UIC Students

Holidays can be spaces of joy and relaxation, but they can also be stressful and even triggering for survivors of gender-based violence. Over cookies and crafts, we will talk through ways to stay safe, uphold your boundaries, and care for yourself this holiday season.

[ID: "HEALS Community for Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence" in white text over a magenta background. Below that are details about the HEALS Surviving & Thriving through the Holidays session. At the bottom is a snowgloble with a snow-covered house and snow-covered green trees.]

Monday, November 24 | 12:30-2pm
Location shared upon registration
Audience: UIC Students

Join us as we close out the semester with a hands-on celebration of reflection, creativity, and self-care.

Through guided journaling prompts, art activities, and light movement, students will explore ways to manage stress and reconnect with themselves. Each participant will leave with a self-made “resilience toolkit” they can return to throughout finals and beyond.

[ID: A person pouring water into a garden growing from the top of another person's head, with details about the PERSIST(Σ) Creative coping event above them.]

Now - November 28
Drop off at WLRC, 1700 SSB

As the colder months approach, Little Sparks and WLRC are putting out a call for winter coats and accessories to support the children of UIC parenting students. Your generosity can make a big difference! Seeking new or gently used:

[ID: A parent carrying a small child, both dressed in winter clothes. Next to them are details about the Winter Coat Donation Drive.]

Meet Nate Chang Sawyer, CCUSC Community Mental Health Intern!

As the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC) community mental health intern, Nate offers different kinds of 1:1 student support including but not limited to:

- mental health/therapeutic support
- connections to resources and mutual aid, and
- advocacy support while navigating institutional barriers and academic ableism.

As a Taiwanese-American graduate student with lived experience of mental illness and psychiatric disability, Nate’s work is centered on collaborating with fellow students to imagine and build structures of collective care inside the university.

There are no costs or session caps. Meetings can be scheduled via email (nsawy@uic.edu) for both in-person and remote. Nate’s office is in 4080 BSB.

[ID: Info about services provided by CCUSC Community Mental Health Intern Nate Chang Sawyer.]

Are you a UIC student who is invested in the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC)? We want to learn from you!

The university has committed to hiring a community healer/mental health provider solely dedicated to the cultural centers! And we want your help in figuring out what this person's job should be, what they should do, what values you want them to have, etc.

Come share your thoughts!

- Friday, November 14, 1-2pm: Zoom
- Thursday, November 20, 2-3pm: Latino Cultural Center, Lecture Center B2
- Monday, November 24, 2:30-3:30pm: Disability Cultural Center, 231 BSB

Can't make it? Share your thoughts here.

Questions: Email Nico at ndarca2@uic.edu.  

[ID: An info flyer about the Listening Sessions, featuring a light bulb and a head with a plant growing through its top.]

Calling all UIC Undergraduate Students! Registration for Spring 2026 classes is open!

Need to fulfill a general education requirement? Looking for a core course for your major or minor? Interested in a brand new special topics class?

The Gender & Women’s Studies Program has you covered! Check out our engaging slate of courses!

[ID: A list of GWS Spring 2026 courses.]

As the fall semester progresses and many of you and your families are being impacted by the actions of ICE and their abductions, WLRC and the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC) want to underline our ongoing support to you all. Remember that there are multiple pillars on campus to help you stay resolute in completing your studies.

As you continue to fight the good fight, know that you are not alone in the urgency you are feeling. Our space is open to study, gather in community, and check in with

staff. We are here to support your academic success through the end of the semester and beyond. We will continue to find courage in our solidarity and community, fight injustice, and build spaces of love and care.

Additional Campus Resources:

[ID: "Persevering through the Semester and Beyond: A message of support for our students" surrounded by monarch butterflies and school supplies, all on a purple background.]

Survivors, we are here for you! Please reach out to the Campus Advocacy Network any time you need support, information, resources, answers, and/or advocacy related to safety, healing, or gender-based violence (sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, harassment, family abuse).

Our services are free, confidential, and open to all members of the UIC community.

We can help you

We're also here for allies! Please reach out to us if you are in a role where you may need to support survivors on campus (instructors, mentors, advisors, student leaders, friends, or colleagues) or have questions about resources, mandated reporting, and more. 

To connect with an advocate:

[ID: A grey t-shirt with "Someone you love is a survivor" painted on it, and a brown tabletop with a few buttons on it. The buttons have messages including "Take a stand," "Survivor," "Love shouldn't hurt," "Feminist," and "Be a voice."]

If you are a student leader, instructor, or supervisor, please consider inviting CAN to speak to your class through our Don’t Cancel Your Class! program, or request a training for your department, college, student organization, or other campus unit. 

[ID: Three students participating in a dating timeline activity on a tabletop.]

Faculty, please include info about us in your curriculum and syllabus:

"If you have experienced sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, stalking, or harassment, there is help available. The Campus Advocacy Network provides free and confidential services to UIC students, faculty, and staff who have experienced or are experiencing interpersonal violence. 

Pregnant and parenting students are also welcome to contact CAN for resources, information, and support.

If you would like to speak with an advocate, please email CAN at can-appointment@uic.edu, call (312) 413-8206 and leave a voicemail message, text (312) 488-9784, or fill out CAN's Ask An Advocate form online at can.uic.edu/ask. To learn more, visit CAN's website at can.uic.edu."

[ID: A CAN team member standing next to a presentation screen and facilitating a discussion on how to respond to a disclosure of gender-based violence.]

It's crafting season! (Ok, it's always crafting season for some of us.) We're hosting a bunch of gatherings this month that will tap into our creative side--and we encourage you all to knit some warm accessories for our Winter Coat Donation Drive!

What's your favorite type of arts & crafts? What are you great at and what do you want to learn?

Check back next week for your responses and a new question!

[ID: "What do you think?" in yellow block letters inside a yellow-orange frame on a purple-blue gradient background.]

UIC LARES: Tuition Award
Apply by November 16
This award aims to assist undergraduate students based on merit, leadership, and commitment to their community. 

UIC Student Affairs: 2026-2027 Scholarships
Apply by January 29
Applications are now available for competitive scholarships that will support undergraduate students across campus colleges and academic disciplines.

UIC United Faculty: Apply for the Student Fast Fund
The UICUF FAST Fund is now taking applications for grants of up to $500 to support students in emergency financial situations. 

UIC IRRPP: Funding Opportunities for Faculty & Grad Students
IRRPP welcomes scholars from all disciplines and especially encourages those from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

UIC LAS GANAS: Rapid Response Training
Wednesday, November 12 | 4-6:30pm, 242 ARC
Come learn how you can make a difference in protecting your community! Training provided by the Rigo Padilla-Perez Undocumented Resource Center.

UIC Asian American Student Academic Program: Owning Your Journey
Thursday, November 13 | 12:30-2pm, 2720 SSB
Feeling unsure about your career path? You’re not alone! Join us for a relaxed, real-talk session on tackling self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and rejection with confidence. 

UIC African American Academic Network: Sista Squad: Friendsgiving
Thursday, November 13 | 1-3pm, 2800 SSB
Join us for a special celebratory Friendsgiving event where we will extend gratitude to ourselves and to one another ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Food provided.

UIC African American Academic Network: BUILD: Conquering College
Thursday, November 13 | 1:30-3:30pm, 2800 SSB
Through peer-led dialogue and community-building, BUILD explores topics such as leadership, mental wellness, cultural pride, navigating UIC, relationships, and professional development. 

UIC Native American Support Program: Heritage Day Powwow
Friday, November 14 | 5-9pm, Student Center East
Join NASP for an evening of Native dancing, drumming, arts, and community celebration. All are invited to join us for food, performances, vendors, family-friendly activities, and friendly contests.

UIC Heritage Garden: Volunteer Days
Monday, November 17 | 12-1:30pm, Latino Cultural Center
Join us for hands-on gardening and learn how Heritage Garden interns are connecting horticulture with environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social justice. Activities will vary, but may include weeding, pruning, or potting up plants

UIC Student Affairs: Shaping the Future of Lactation Spaces on Campus: A Needs Assessment to Support Student-Parents
Monday, November 17 | 2pm, SSB Conference Room A
Dr. Jessica Rothstein, Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, will share key findings highlighting participants’ satisfaction with various aspects of UIC's existing lactation rooms and identifying areas for improvement.

UIC Native American Support Program: Wellness Hour
Wednesday, November 19 | 2-3pm, 2700 SSB
Take a break and join us for an hour of rest, creativity, and community! 

UIC CHANCE: Craft & Calm
Wednesday, November 19 | 3-4pm, 1-470 Daley Library
Join us for this session designed to help you de-stress and exchange strategies for supporting your everyday mental health with your peers! 

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): Family Support Network Hotline Internship
Make a real impact by helping connect immigrant families to critical services, such as Legal Assistance, Healthcare Referrals, Public Benefits, and Citizenship and DACA workshops.

CAASE: Upcoming Events
The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation through prevention, policy reform, community engagement, and legal service.

Resilience: Upcoming Events
Resilience works to end rape culture and empower sexual assault survivors through advocacy, education, and healing.

Check out what's happening at all our sibling centers this week!

Founded as a direct result of campus activism, the UIC Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change (CCUSC) work collectively to produce knowledge and shift university culture, validating the multidimensional lived experiences of historically and currently excluded communities.

Informed by social justice frameworks, the Centers support students, faculty, and staff as they build a strong identity and sense of belonging, becoming change agents for a more just campus and society.

The Centers connect our communities and design intercultural and engaged-learning opportunities, student mentorship programs, cultural programming, advocacy, collaborative research, and community partnerships.

Through these efforts, the Centers expand the educational and transformational mission of UIC.

In light of actual and potential threats to our communities, both here at UIC and throughout the Chicago area, it's important to know what our rights are when interacting with immigration and other federal law enforcement officers.

WHAT TO DO

UIC's administration has shared official protocols for such interactions on campus.

If you need assistance or suspect ICE presence anywhere in IL, please call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Hotline: 1-855-435-7693.

[ID: Details about ICIRR's Family Support Network Hotline: 855-435-7693.]

CAMPUS RESOURCES

UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS

We are here for you and will continue to share resources and information with our campus community.

UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center
& Campus Advocacy Network

1700 Student Services Building (MC 363)
1200 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607

(312) 413-1025 ∙ wlrc@uic.edu ∙ wlrc.uic.edu

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