What’s Next in 2025
This year Women Unite! is leaning into its founding and guiding principles, our belief that relationships and connection are the only things that are going to get us through the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. To help foster these ties, we’re regrounding ourselves in some of our earliest activations and practices.
In 2025, you’ll see more opportunities to participate in mutual aid, more outreach and engagement events that amplify and support work that’s already happening across the city, and more chances to meet up with Women Unite! and our extended community in-person. This page will serve as a repository of all our goings on this year as well as ways you can help show your support!
Here’s what we have slated for the first three months of the year.
July
Our most popular event of 2024 is back! Join us on July 13 at Cedillo’s Fresh Produce for a Farm-to-Table Dinner prepared by Chef Roberto Pérez of Urban Pilón. The vibes will be absolutely immaculate, so don’t miss out. Get your tickets here and learn more about the full series here.
June
We’re kicking off our second annual Summer Series with an evening of Jazz in the Garden. Join us on June 7 at Global Gardens as we connect over delicious food, live music, and a tour of the garden. Get your tickets here and learn more about the full series here.
May
We’re holding our first-ever Mutual Aid Fair! Join us on Sunday, May 25 for an opportunity to dive deep into collective care, connect with your neighbors and experience mutual aid in action. We’ll be at Movement on Montrose and have a pay-what-you can rummage sale, a chance to plug into mutual aid groups and other volunteer opportunities, music from a local DJ, food available for purchase, free yoga and other activities for kids, and vendors and artists who will be selling their wares. Learn more by checking out the event page here
Keep Up!
Of course, we’ll have more as the year goes on. To stay in the loop, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media!
Upcoming events in Chicago
Our events offer a fun way to explore the question of what now? and an opportunity to connect to good things happening in Chicago.
Stop by, say hi, buy some swag, and get to know more about us and our nonprofit partners!
Mutual Aid Fair
Join us on Sunday, May 25 as we dive deep into collective care with our first-ever Mutual Aid Fair! This will be an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and experience mutual aid in action.
We’ll have:
A DJ spinning tunes and setting the mood!
Free yoga for kids and other kids activities! See below for more details.
Food available for purchase!
A pay-what-you can rummage sale with housewares, books, kid and adult clothing, and so much more!
A chance to plug into mutual aid groups and other volunteer opportunities!
Access to community based resources and organizations!
We hope you’ll join us for a fun afternoon dedicated to resourcing our communities!
😷 Please note that, in the spirt of mutual aid and caring for our community, we’ll be requiring masks be worn indoors. We’ll have free masks onsite for anyone who needs them!
Free Yoga for Kids*!
Throughout the day we’ll have free yoga classes available for kids of all ages. The classes will be led by Janeth Barrera Yoga. Classes will be in Studio #3 at Movement on Montrose at 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Each class will be able to accommodate up to 8 kids. Please note that a parent or adult guardian must be present with their child. Classes are first come, first served.
No special gear is required. All we ask is that kids (and participating adults) wear comfortable clothes!
*Please note, childcare will NOT be provided and all kids must be accompanied by an adult!!!
Fun for Everyone!
Ms. Janeth Barrera will be leading free yoga for kids (and their adult!) throughout the day! 🧘🏾 🪷
Be sure to check out the details above for more info.
Budget Transparency
Our goal isn’t to raise money. It’s to create a community event while covering our expenses. Our expected costs are outlined below and any excess revenue received will be split between Women Unite! and Chicago United Solidarity Project.
Space Rental: $390
Kids Yoga Activity (four 30-minute sessions): $250
Local DJ: $350
Printing costs (flyers and promotional postcards): $175
Miscellaneous: $250
Projected Event Cost: $1,415
Help us cover our costs by making a donation of any amount today!
Budget FAQs
Why spend money on a DJ? The DJ we’re using is a local community member who generates income through music bookings. Our approach to mutual aid includes creating opportunities to pay folks for their work!
Why are you offering activities for kids? Kids are a part of all communities and we want to make the space accessible and inviting for them! Our approach to mutual aid means creating spaces where people of all ages are valued.
Why are your printing costs so high? We use a local printer whenever possible as a way to support small businesses. Although this does mean we have higher costs, it helps keep money out of the pockets of big corporations.
What does miscellaneous include? This is allocated for things like providing water, N/A drinks, nametags, kid-friendly snacks, and any last-minute or unexpected items to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Jazz in the Garden
Join Chicago United Solidarity Project, Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, Global Gardens Chicago, and Women Unite! as we connect our communities through meaningful events and a shared value of caring for all Chicagoans.
Farm-to-Table Dinner
Join Chicago United Solidarity Project, Cedillo’s Fresh Produce, Global Gardens Chicago, and Women Unite! as we connect our communities through meaningful events and a shared value of caring for all Chicagoans.
Care kits for A House in Austin
Join Women Unite! as we gather items for A House in Austin (AHIA), a dedicated parent-child resource hub that empowers families in a holistic manner, fostering growth and success at every level.
Unite!: A Year-End Fundraiser
About
This December, Chicago United Solidarity Project (CUSP), The Evolved Network (TEN), and Women Unite! (WU!) are joining forces to co-host Unite! for a Cause: A Year-End Fundraiser, a celebration of all we’ve accomplished in 2024 and all we’ll continue to do in the year ahead.
Details
We’ll be at Hairpin Arts Center in Logan Square (map) with 250 of our closest friends, gathering together for an inspiring evening of community, celebration, and collective action. All dollars raised will support the three co-hosts and the impact we’re having across Chicago.
Street parking is available, but extremely limited. Please plan on utilizing rideshare or public transit. Hairpin Arts Center is conveniently located near the Diversey, Milwaukee, and Kimball bus stops as well as the Logan Square Blue Line (closest to the Spaulding & Milwaukee exit.)
Hairpin Arts Center has a wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom.
This event is 21+.
Summer Series: Farm to Table Dinner with Chef Roberto Pérez of Urban Pilón
Join us at Cedillo’s Fresh Produce for a private, catered farm to table dinner where you’ll have a chance to enjoy Chicago summer, connect with folks, and learn more about incredible mutual aid and social justice work happening across the city. Our menu will be designed and prepared by Roberto Pérez of Urban Pilón. Pérez is a chef, musician, and researcher of Afro-Caribbean traditions and a founding member of the Afro-Puerto Rican music group, Bomba con Buya.
During this intimate dining experience, you'll have a chance to enjoy Chicago summer, connect with folks, and learn more about incredible mutual aid and social justice work happening across the city.
Space is limited and tickets are required!
Cedillo’s Fresh Produce is a family run farm located at 325 W 70th Place on the South Side of Chicago. Founder Juan Cedillo is a third generation farmer who learned most of his skills working alongside his father and grandfather.
Urban Pilón is a culinary movement with a mission: to honor and preserve cooking traditions from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, while using completely natural, healthy ingredients.
Summer Series: School Supplies Drive
As part of the Summer Series, we’re hoping to outfit at least 300 South Side students and teachers with the gear they need to start the school year off right! From now through early August, we’ll be gathering and organizing school supplies. To participate, please gather items from the list on our website. Then, sign up for a drop-off time with The Parlor here: calendly.com/theparlorchicago.
We’ll be distributing everything with our South Side partners, M.A.S.K. and Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. on Saturday, August 10!
Summer Series: Happy Hour Hang
UPDATE: The trash pickup is at capacity! Feel free to stop by Guild Row from 6 - 8 pm for our happy hour hang. No need to register!
Join us at Guild Row on Wednesday, June 12 from 5:30–8:00 p.m. as we kickoff our first annual Summer Series: Creating Community. Finding Hope., a joint effort led by Chicago United Solidarity Project, Pet Mutual Aid, Trash People, and Women Unite!. Through meaningful events and fundraising initiatives, we hope to connect our networks, deepen relationships, and cultivate hope.
We hope you’ll join us for a night of community connection and for an opportunity to learn more about ways you can plug into Chicago’s vibrant organizing and mutual aid scene!
What to Expect:
5:30–6:15 p.m.: Neighborhood trash pickup with Trash People.
6–8:00 p.m.: Happy hour hang
Board games
Giant Jenga
Bags
Raffle prizes
Around 7:00 p.m. we’ll have some brief remarks!
The Space:
Located at 3130 N. Rockwell St.
Guild Row is 21+
Drinks and food will be available for purchase directly from Guild Row
Non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase
Street parking available
Plantasia Plant Sale
Join us for a bloomin’ good time. That’s right, our annual Plantasia plant sale fundraiser is back, baby. We’ll be taking over The Native in Logan Square, turning it into a whimsical oasis with all the foliage your heart desires.
#WUCrewSummer: Avondale Bowl
We’ll be saying farewell to summer at Avondale Bowl on Thursday, August 31 from 5:30–8:00 p.m.
#WUCrewSummer: The Long Room
Stop by Sunday, August 20 for a special pop up at The Long Room where 20% of sales will be donated to WU!.
#WUCrewSummer: Hopewell Brewing
On Saturday, August 12, Hopewell will be donating a portion of sales from their Going Places IPA!
#WUCrewSummer: Nobody’s Darling
Join us at Nobody’s Darling on Thursday, August 3 as we celebrate another year of #WUCrewSummer.
#WUCrewSummer: Scofflaw Group
Throughout the month of July, multiple Scofflaw Group properties will have a drink on the menu with proceeds supporting WU!
This includes:
Scofflaw: Order yourself the Swizzle #43 and support WU!
Outside Voices: Will be donating a portion of sales from a Lubanzi ‘Orange Is’ Skin Contact wine.
Moonlighter: IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS, then you are in luck! A portion of sales from this classic summer drink will support WU!
Plantasia: Plant Sale Fundraiser
Join us for our annual plant sale fundraiser! We’ll have a wide range of house plants available for purchase with all sales supporting Women Unite!
Plantasia Plant Sale Fundraiser
Join us for our annual plant sale fundraiser! We’ll have a wide range of house plants available for purchase with all sales supporting Women Unite!.
Plant Shop Promotion
15% of all sales made over these two days at the Plant Shop Chicago will be donated to Women Unite!.
Plantasia
Join us on August 28th for our annual Plantasia Plant Sale! Stop on by The Native between 1:00 - 4:00 pm and shop a huge variety of plants donated from businesses and plant lovers from across the city. All sales will directly benefit Women Unite! and our partners the #LetUsBreathCollective, Apna Ghar, and Sista Afya.
Putting the People Back in Philanthropy: A Panel
This virtual panel discussion will feature Women Unite! and their 2020 partners, Chicago Women’s Health Center, Growing Home, and Healing to Action, four grassroots organizations committed to building a more just, equitable world. Leaders from these groups will discuss the challenges of staying radical within our capitalist system and some ways that we, the people, can come together to make real, lasting change. The panel will be moderated by L’Oreal Thompson.
This event has a suggested donation of $15.00. All proceeds will be distributed equally among Women Unite!, Chicago Women’s Health Center, Growing Home, and Healing to Action.
You must register for the event in order to attend. Registration closes at noon on December 9. Register via Eventbrite here.
Plantasia 3.0
For our third annual Plantasia event, we'll be partnering with our faves, Plant Shop. They'll be donating 15% of sales made on August 15 & 16 to Women Unite!. Stop by their store or shop online and add some greenery to your home all while supporting a good cause.
Summer Member Drive
From now until August 18, we'll be pushing our membership drive with a special, Plantaisa themed promotion. Join the WU! Crew by August 18 and, in addition to all of the existing WU! Crew benefits, you'll get:
a gift card to Plant Shop
a raffle ticket for the chance to win: $75 gift card to Lettuce Entertain You & a $75 gift card to Moonlighter
The higher your membership level, the larger the gift card and the more raffle tickets you receive.
Free Training: Allyship 101
Join us on Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 pm as we talk through a lot of buzzwords—allyship, intersectionality, and privilege—and what it means to practically live them out in your day-to-day.
Event link and login info will be emailed to registered attendees prior to event.
Suggested donation: $15
Register HERE
Women Unite! Launch Party!
Our virtual launch party!
Also, there's options to purchase raffle tickets, if you're interested.
Free! (must register to attend)
All ages / All Genders
Register here
Free Training: Coping With COVID-19
We're hosting a free training called Coping with COVID-19.
Led by Dr. Ella Yung, PsyD.
Free! (but must register)
All Ages / All Genders
Register here.
Chicago Red Stars Pride Party / Allyship 101 Training
Jessica and Sterling will be hosting an Allyship 101 training as part of the Chicago Red Stars Pride Party!
Learn more and register here.
Shopping Days With Felt + WU!
Follow @feltchicago on Instagram and join their IG Live shopping event this Saturday at 2:00 pm. A portion of sales made between 2:00 pm on Saturday thru Wednesday, May 27 will support Women Unite!.
A Babely Bazaar
Talented local artists featuring a variety of unique & handmade items.
A portion of sales from the Passionfruit Margarita will be donated to Women Unite!
21+ / All genders