Community Events
Connect with community.
Connection is extremely important to our wellbeing. In addition to our clinical services, we know community-oriented events and spaces are crucial. We are always looking to create ways for folks to come together and build their village.
Check out details about our upcoming events below!
We hope to see you soon.
Queer Care Fair
Join us at the Queer Care Fair for a totally free day of education and community building! Enjoy creative workshops designed to empower and affirm. Plus, revamp your wardrobe in our Gender Affirming Clothing Closet.
DIY Binder Sewing Workshop
Join Keeton, a genderqueer sewing enthusiast, and Early to Bed in learning how to sew your very own chest binder for trans and non-binary individuals.
During this class you will receive guided hands on instructions where you will leave the class with your custom fitted binder and the pattern so you can create more at home!
Basic sewing experience required. Please bring your own sewing machine. Materials and pattern will be provided! 8 Spots only!
Be Yours, Mine, and Ours
Join our Rowan Tree Counseling team for a crafting night with Art Therapist Alyse Ruriani to make handmade Valentines cards and crafts celebrating your cutie(s), lover(s) and/or platonic soulmates with fellow non-monogamous pals. Snacks, candy, and drinks will be provided! Art supplies will be available, but feel free to bring in your own photos/crafting items too.
Trans Barbell Club with Above the Bar: Squats!
Trans Barbell Club is an opportunity for trans folks of all exercise levels to come and lift in a space that is fat affirming and neurodivergent affirming. Coaches will be available to teach how to safely use equipment and there to answer any questions!
There are two 1hr time slots: 11:30am and 12:30pm. This session is focused on squats.
Rowan Tree Counseling will have their Gender Exploration Clothing Closet available.
Trans-Only Open Gym with Above the Bar
Trans-Only Open Gym is an opportunity for folks of all exercise levels to come and freely work out with our own community in a space that is fat affirming, neurodivergent affirming, and seeking connection through movement. Coaches will be available for informational purposes only, to teach how to safely use equipment and there to answer any questions!
TLDR Powerpoint Party
Welcome to TLDR Powerpoint Party - A virtual night to present your fixations, special interest, or just random thing you know about in 10 minutes or less! This night is meant for fun facts, community building, and folks who might be looking for connection but can't make it in person!
Open Studio: Art-Based Support Group
A non-clinical art-based support group facilitated by Alyse Ruriani, LPC, ATR.
Come make art in an open-studio format to explore the therapeutic nature of art-making! Each week will have an optional theme and prompt(s). Materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring projects or supplies you’d like to work with.
Queer Care Fair
Join us at the Queer Care Fair for a totally free day of education and community building! Enjoy creative workshops designed to empower and affirm. Plus, revamp your wardrobe in our Gender Affirming Clothing Closet.
12:00-4:00 Curious about exploring a different style but not sure where to start? Out of the Closet hosts pop-ups all over Illinois for transgender, enby, GNC folx to shop for free. For this very special event, we're partnering with Out of the Closet (@outoftheclosetcharity) to bring you more options than ever. We'll be here to help with sizing, styling, and to hype you up!
12:00-1:00 Chicago's favorite feminist sex shop Early to Bed will join us to share everything you need to know about Gender Expression Gear and Sex Toys built with TGNC folx in mind. This workshop is intended for ages 18+!
1:00-2:00 Join Alyse Ruriani, MAATC, LPC, ATR (she/they) for a DIY Personal Pride Flag Workshop. Make your own pride flag that represents YOU using a variety of art materials.
2:00-3:00 Ellen Oanes, LPC, MAATC (she/her) is bringing you Hand Sewing & Mending 101. We'll cover threading the needle, making a sewing knot, the running stitch, and how to sew on a button. Get an intro to visible mending and see some examples.
3:00-4:00 Join genderqueer therapist Keeton Phillips, LSW (he/they) for Gender Affirming Makeup Tips and Tricks. See examples of masc and femme looks; bring your own makeup and get 1 on 1 help.
Open Studio: Art-Based Support Group
A non-clinical art-based support group facilitated by Alyse Ruriani, LPC, ATR.
Come make art in an open-studio format to explore the therapeutic nature of art-making! Each week will have an optional theme and prompt(s). Materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring projects or supplies you’d like to work with.
Open Studio: Art-Based Support Group
A non-clinical art-based support group facilitated by Alyse Ruriani, LPC, ATR.
Come make art in an open-studio format to explore the therapeutic nature of art-making! Each week will have an optional theme and prompt(s). Materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring projects or supplies you’d like to work with.
Open Studio: Art-Based Support Group
A non-clinical art-based support group facilitated by Alyse Ruriani, LPC, ATR.
Come make art in an open-studio format to explore the therapeutic nature of art-making! Each week will have an optional theme and prompt(s). Materials are provided, but you are welcome to bring projects or supplies you’d like to work with.
Gender Exploration Clothing Closet
Interested in exploring your gender through clothing? Curious about how it would feel to try out different styles and expressions?
The Gender Exploration Clothing Closet is here to provide a space for you to try on affirming clothing, play with gender expression, and discover your style! Plus, you can take home an outfit, up to 3 pieces!
Visualizing Intentions: A New Year Art-Based Workshop
Utilize the energy of the New Year to reflect and set intentions for your 2024. We will explore different ways to set intentions and then visualize them using collage and other art processes.
Each participant (8 maximum) will create art to reflect their intentions through a vision board format or a set of intention cards.
Materials provided (but feel free to bring in things you may want to use!)
Get tickets here
Gender Exploration Clothing Closet
Interested in exploring your gender through clothing? Curious about how it would feel to try out different styles and expressions?
The Gender Exploration Clothing Closet is here to provide a space for you to try on affirming clothing, play with gender expression, and discover your style! Plus, you can take home an outfit, up to 3 pieces!
interested in collaborating?We partner with other careworkers, organizations, local businesses, and community resources for events. Email our Community Engagement Director, Badge, at badge@rowantreechicago.com to inquire about potential collaborations and partnerships.