Providing Women of Color Leaders an Opportunity to Heal

Black and Latinx communities bore the brunt of some of the worst health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, placing a heavy toll on the mental well-being of those trying to raise their families and put food on the table. By extension, the nonprofit leaders working on the frontlines to support these communities were suffering from burnout and fatigue—especially women of color in leadership roles who often put serving others ahead of taking care of themselves. In response, Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Greater Chicago—a community-driven initiative housed at The Chicago Community Trust that leverages community organizing towards transformational and sustainable change—is piloting the Supporting Exemplary Leaders & Freedom Fighters (SELFF) Care Sabbatical. The SELFF Care Sabbatical supports 10 women-of-color community nonprofit leaders serving the South and West sides of Chicago for one year in order to allow them to step back from their daily stresses, recharge, and pursue