Join IASGW in our Service Initiative for Illinois

Our organization is dedicated to helping Illinois communities through ripple effects. 

We are launching a new service initiative designed to provide grants to Illinois helpers who want to provide groups for free, in their own communities. Each community-based group counseling grant creates ripples of impact through the facilitator, amplified by each person who attends a group. Applications are accepted year round and considered twice per year, with a Spring award (announced digitally) and a Fall award, presented during the annual Illinois Counseling Association conference. Grants will be funded by ticket sales to virtual groups run by IASGW member volunteers, as well as our webinar sales and the yearly retreat.  

The Service Initiative really began in 2021 with Peer Support Group, at the time only open to members of IASGW. The board recognized the toll that pandemic isolation had added to an already stressful occupation. After Dr. Rebecca Vazquez gave a fantastic keynote on the wounded healer and highlighted group support as a key self-care strategy, we were inspired to open attendance to the wider membership of ICA in 2022, and it has been an ongoing service to counselors of Illinois ever since. This group provides a space to connect with people who get it and helps to fight burnout and compassion fatigue, allowing ripples to flow outwards. We continue to offer Peer Support Group, hosted by volunteer IASGW members, on the last Tuesday of each month (and we're trying out other days/times as well). The link can be found on the calendars at both IASGW.org and ilcounseling.org