Culture of Safety February/March Newsletter
Dear Culture of Safety friends and supporters,
I started this newsletter over a month ago intending it to be our February Newsletter. After a series of illnesses that set me behind in administrative work, I’m finally ready to finish this. So we’re going to call it our February/March Newsletter.
The past few months have been busy. Amy and I have taught Self-Defense to Girl Scouts, private groups, and to social service organizations such as Illinois Action for Children. On top of our regular karate schedule, promotion tests, and Kyren’s Shiatsu Bodywork practice, of course!
Here are some highlights and just a bit of what’s to come for Culture of Safety. More to come in our April Newsletter!
- Day Camps are BACK
- Expanded shiatsu hours (and a new practitioner!)
- Kyren’s medical leave
- Upcoming workshops & events
Day Camps are BACK (and Babysitting availability!)
Our ever-popular No-School Day camps are BACK! Registration is open for our Winter and Spring No-School Camp Dates AND Summer Camps.
You may recall that we had taken a break from Day Camps in order to conserve our resources until we could hire someone to assist us in our camps. I am pleased to announce that we have hired a young woman named Fozhan (“Fozhi”) Bozorgi to co-lead camps with us. Fozhi earned her Black belt in Shitoryu Karate in Iran. Fozhi and I co-led together just last week. We both had a great time. Fozhi is a wonderful addition to our staff and is well-loved by the kids.
Speaking of, anyone looking for an extremely qualified babysitter? Our new hire, Fozhi (fozhanbozorgi12@gmail.com), an 18-year old senior at Senn high school is available and eager to help. I have worked alongside her with kids and I can say I have rarely seen someone who is such a natural with kids. She really attunes to each child–she senses what they need or are feeling, she plays with them without reservation, AND the kids all love her. On top of that, she is probably the most responsible and diligent young person I’ve encountered. Without reservation, if you are looking for a babysitter or part-time nanny, Fozhi is your person. Email her! You wont regret it!
New Shiatsu Practitioner and Expanded hours
We’re delighted to announce that our Shiatsu availability has expanded! Welcome to Christopher Moore, a recent graduate of my alma mater Zen Shiatsu Chicago.
Christopher Moore, LMT, AOBTA®-CP
Christopher (he/they) joins us as an alum of Zen Shiatsu Chicago (where Kyren received their training). They have been a student in classes Kyren taught at Zen and we am delighted that they’re joining us at Culture of Safety. Christopher brings a very calm and settled, grounded energy and a warm presence to the room that — in addition to his technical Shiatsu prowess — will support many a nervous system to come! You can book with Christopher online in the same way you book with me, through our online booking software, Setmore. Just select his name and the service you want and enjoy the process! His current hours are Tues/Thurs 3pm-9pm. So if you’ve enjoyed Shiatsu in the past but are sad that there isn’t more evening availability, look no further! Learn more about Christopher’s approach to bodywork here. Christopher will also be covering for Kyren during their upcoming medical leave.
Kyren is scheduled for gender-affirming top surgery April 2 and needs your help!
Gender-affirming top surgery has become a medical necessity for Kyren. It is unfortunately quite expensive, and the recovery is even more expensive.
Unlike people with desk jobs, who can often return to work fully after just 1-2 weeks of recovery, Kyren is told they won’t be able to see Shiatsu/massage clients for a minimum of 6 weeks. They may be able to return to teaching karate slowly and carefully and with a lot of support after just 2 weeks, but won’t be back at full capacity until 6-8 weeks. For a small business run by the two of us (with Amy being Kyren’s primary medical team), this means we’ll need to cancel classes for a few days (Thurs 4/2-Sat 4/5), be short-staffed in classes for a few additional weeks, and will suffer loss of Shiatsu/massage client income for up to 2 months.
Here’s how you can help:
Write a Google Review for Culture of Safety. We’re so not kidding! Every bit of support for the business means greater security for us before and after surgery.
Donate to Kyren’s GoFundMe
Sign up to bring food to Kyren after surgery (via MealTrain)
Upcoming workshops & events
No-School Day Camps and Summer camps
Looking for interactive and empowering day care for the upcoming CPS closures? Our popular No-School Day Camps are BACK! Next Camp is Election Day (March 17th). We have camps for most of the No-school days remaining this year PLUS 2 weeks of summer camps!
Merry Music Makers – Registration is OPEN for Spring quarter music classes held at Culture of Safety. Classes are Wednesdays 9:30am April 1 – June 30 and are are open to kids age 5 and under and their caregivers. Classes are taught by our very own community member Megan Edwards (mother of Senpai Jay).
Meditation classes – Join our ongoing Beginners Meditation series (in the samatha tradition). We meet Sundays 10am-11:30. The next beginners series will run through Sunday March 22nd. The practice is freely given and open to all. There is no charge for the practice and teachers are not remunerated for their time. Learn more or register online.
Tai Chi Classes – Sifu Rodrigo’s Tai Chi classes meet Mondays at 7pm, All classes are drop-in, open to beginners. Suggested donation $15 per class. Learn more online or register to receive email reminders.
Empowerment & Sexual Assault Prevention Self-Defense Workshop (for Teens and Young Adults)
Join us April 18, 4:30 – 6:30 for our next Self-Defense workshop. Learn how to feel and be safer, stronger, and more self-confident through our empowerment-based workshop. This workshop is for Teens and Young adults (ages 14-29) and offers both physical resistance skills to slow down an attacker and get away to safety, as well as communication strategies to deter violence before it starts. Our workshops are always interactive, engaging, accessible for all bodies and abilities, and trauma-informed. Open to adults of all genders and gender identities. Register here.
