Empowering Healing and Transformation
The I Am Enough (IAE) program, developed by the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices (The Center) in partnership with Northwestern University, is dedicated to supporting Black women who have endured the traumatic loss of a loved one due to gun violence or incarceration. This culturally grounded, trauma-informed therapeutic support model offers a safe, nurturing environment where participants can explore healing and empowerment amidst their grief.
Our Journey
Founded by Lisa D. Daniels in response to her personal journey following the tragic loss of her son Darren in 2012, the IAE program was conceived to fill the significant void in supportive services tailored for Black women grappling with complex grief. Partnering with Northwestern University in 2017, this vision was transformed into a structured program designed to address the unique challenges these women face.
Pilot Programs and Impact
Since its inception, the IAE program has successfully facilitated two pilot cohorts in 2022 and 2024. These pilots have been instrumental in refining our approach, enhancing our curriculum, and deepening our understanding of the participants' needs. Testimonials from participants and community feedback have highlighted the profound impact of the program, driving us to expand our reach.
Acknowledgments
Our work has been generously supported by the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC), the Isaac Ray Research Program, and the Chicago Foundation for Women. Their commitment to fostering community-based solutions and supporting mental health initiatives has been crucial to our program’s success.
Next Phase: Empowering Organizations
We are now entering an exciting phase of our work—the development of a comprehensive program manual. This manual will enable community organizations that provide direct support to women of color to facilitate the I Am Enough workshop series themselves. The Center will provide licensing agreements along with ongoing training and technical assistance, ensuring that the essence and efficacy of the program are maintained across different settings.
Join Us
If your organization supports women of color who have experienced the loss of a loved one to gun violence or mass incarceration, and you are interested in facilitating the I Am Enough workshop series, we invite you to join us in this transformative work. Together, we can amplify the impact and extend the reach of this crucial support to those who need it most.
