A Family PEACE Gathering

Presented by Light of Loving Kindness and Friends of the Forest Preserves, A Family PEACE Gathering is a four-month nature-based peace circle series for participants of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Twice a month from March through June 2025, we will gather together for 90 min - 2 hrs for art-making, learning, meditation, movement, music, story-telling, games, and connection in nature. This series ends on June 22nd with an overnight camping trip in the South Suburbs of Chicago.

We'd love for all participants to attend the entire series. However, if you can't make it to every event, feel free to register for only the events you're able to attend. See the "agenda" for details on each event. Each event includes a giveaway, including fresh produce and self-care kits. Space is limited, so sign up early!

Funded by Healing Illinois, A Family PEACE Gathering is a racial healing initiative to bridge communities and celebrate our differences and common stories as immigrants and natives of Chicagoland. To encourage continued funding for these types of free events, we ask all participants to complete this survey upon registration.

The workshop series will take place primarily at Dan Ryan Woods. Additional locations include Eggers Grove and Shabonna Woods. All locations are on Chicago's south side or nearby. Exact location details will be provided after registration.

Info: Participants will explore their own family heritage and story through individual and collaborative art-making that honors and represents the different cultural and ethnic journeys and heritages of participants. Our goal is to create space for participants to be witnessed and honored as we each share our cultural heritage through stories and visual renderings of our history. This workshop includes meditation and mindfulness activities in addition to art-making. Workshops will be facilitated by program staff and guided by a local professional artist.

Info: April workshops will explore self-expression using Music, Movement, and Poetry. Participants will experience and learn African diasporic drum and dance, and make connections to global dance styles, poetry, and more. Workshops will be led by LOLK program staff, hip hop artist Queen Prophecy, and other local artists from various backgrounds.

Info: As part of family play, everybody plays! Participants practice active listening, respectful communication, collaboration and cooperation through playful activities for all ages. These will take place outdoors and indoors, and will focus on celebrating children and the child in all of us. Activities highlight the fun of learning from each other and the importance of play for connection and community building. Workshops will be led by LOLK program staff, Friends of the Forest Preserve program staff.

Info: Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world at Nature Block Party 2025! Join LOLK, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and other organizations and community members for a day of celebration and exploration as we honor the incredible diversity of the Chicago region. See the Sand Ridge Nature Center Facebook Event page for more exciting details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1166200504865647/.

Info: June gatherings celebrate our newly forged connection to each other and the natural environment through outdoor Cooking and Camping. This includes identifying and utilizing local plants as both food and medicine. Note that on this date, we will meet outdoors at Dan Ryan Woods. Exact location will be provided for registrants.

Info: Join us for an overnight camping experience at Shabonna Woods in South Holland, IL (just outside Chicago's south side). This event is for beginning campers and experienced campers alike. Activities will include those experienced throughout the series, including sound journeys, arts, movement, and games. Collectively, we will create a shared meal that incorporates traditional recipes from the different heritages represented in our workshop series, using locally grown foods. All camping supplies are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Dan Ryan Woods Event Pavilion, W 87th St & S Western Ave, Chicago, United States