NAAAP Chicago Wellness Reflections 2024
Happy Holidays 2024 from NAAAP Chicago Wellness! It has been quite a year. Finding ways to support yourself and others while taking time for self-care can be challenging. This year, NAAAP Chicago Wellness has looked to support the AAPI community and its wellbeing through many programs. Below are some of the programs NAAAP Chicago Wellness has organized to encourage the community to adopt more self-care routines and activities into their busy lives throughout the year!
This year, programs to encourage self-care included Wellness Wednesdays and virtual and in-person yoga, Biking, and Book Club.
They also included programs to support the AAPI community like the Wellness Therapy Fund which seeks to raise awareness for AAPI Mental Health by offering low-cost therapy to the low-income families for Common Pantry providing food supplies to Chicago’s North Side.
Here are a few highlights of the wellness programs from this year! Continue reading to learn more about each program or sign up for an event to finish your year on a healthy note!
Common Pantry
Hosted by Melissa Lin in 2024
NAAAP Chicago Wellness has been working with Common Pantry to provide volunteer support for food pantry services in Chicago’s North Side.
In 2024, we were able to provide 20 unique volunteers to cover 34 total shifts and contribute 68 volunteer hours to support members of Common Pantry and their nutritional needs!
Save the date(s)! Next year, volunteers will continue its Community Wellness initiative at Common Pantry by volunteering once per quarter to assist customers in their grocery shopping while providing support and good vibes! Learn more about Common Pantry and sign up here.
Wellness Wednesdays
Hosted by NAAAP Chicago and Elizabeth Smith (PsyD)
Wellness Wednesdays has been able to support mental health through monthly workshops and interactive exercises that focus on the unique impact life’s challenges can have on the AAPI community. Culturally-relevant topics include Healthy Communication and Microaggressions, Wellness at Work, to Family and Boundaries for the Holidays.
It is a space for sharing tools to help improve overall mental health while supporting others as they share their experiences in a healing and kind environment with fellow AAPI members.
Join NAAAP Chicago Wellness where community care starts with yourself! See here for upcoming Wellness Wednesday events.
Monthly Yoga
Hosted by NAAAP Chicago Wellness and Good Life Mental Health
For those who enjoy Mind and Body to nourish the Soul, whether it be to navigate daily life or prepare for the holidays, every 3rd Tuesday NAAAP Chicago’s Virtual Yoga and Good Life Mental Health has offered a calming and relaxing space to do this with virtual yoga!
A special in-person yoga event was also held at the Haibayo Community Center in Argyle in September.
Breathe into gentle and healing Somatic Flows, then wind down your session with live Sound Therapy with these mind and body sessions. Experience relaxing movements and soothing sounds at our next in-person candlelit yoga event in 2025. Hosted by Vanessa Rae De Leon who is a Certified Dance Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
Biking Club
Hosted by NAAAP Chicago Wellness
This year we brought together bike enthusiasts and beginners alike to enjoy Chicago’s beautiful lakefront path on July 27! We were also able to participate in the annual Bike the Drive on September 1.
We had a wonderful time working on our fitness while being in good company.
Bike the Drive is a fundraiser held by the Active Transportation Alliance working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicagoland.
Make sure to keep an eye out for upcoming biking events and the next annual Bike the Drive in 2025 through the Events Page! Join us for a beautiful ride in Downtown Chicago!
Book Club
Co-Hosted by NAAAP Chicago Wellness and Women in NAAAP
Where I Belong by by Soo Jin Lee, Linda Yoon
On September 16, 2024 Women in NAAAP and the Wellness committee co-led an insightful book club discussion of the book, “Where I Belong,” a profound exploration of trauma, healing, and mental health within Asian and Asian American communities.
Co-authored by professional therapists Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon, fellow readers were able to share their personal experiences relating to anecdotes in the book. It was a wonderful opportunity to gain new perspectives and support one other through open dialogue.
Just one of a series of many selected books related to life as an AAPI-American including Arsenic and Adobo, Pachinko, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Crying in H-Mart, and He/She/They by Schuyler Bailar. Stay tuned for more upcoming Book Club events.
The above events are just a few highlights from 2024 brought to you by NAAAP Chicago Wellness to encourage and advocate for AAPI wellbeing! Follow us on Instagram or sign up for the Newsletter to learn more. Browse upcoming events (both in-person and virtual)! Celebrate the holidays the healthy way!