A Message from our Director
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Dear Friends,
Two dear community members are in the hospital as I write this. I am saddened by how tough life on these streets can be. While we daily hear the stories of inspiration and hope at The Healing WELL, we also cannot escape the pain and struggle. In fact, it’s why we’re here.
That’s a good reminder for me. Like almost every day, as I walked in this morning I thought about the work I needed to do. Fundraising and organizational development are critical, of course, if we want to continue promoting healing and wellness in our community. Yet I found myself debating about whether I had the time to visit my friends. Fortunately, I am peaceful enough today to be able to notice what’s most important. Yes, I will go to the hospital. The tasks will always actively call for my attention. The opportunities to honor relationships will be quieter and steadier, but they are what ground me, and I am my best self when I am grounded.
In that spirit of human connection, we have some especially delightful features in this newsletter - a video clip from a neighbor who shares his love of poetry with us daily, and some excerpts about where community members have experienced kindness - along with announcement on a retreat on “Conscious Relationships,” and a new 1x1 service we’re offering: Reiki. May today be a day when we consciously honor what’s most important: the people in our lives.
Sincerely,
Kathy Curran
Director
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Poetry Recitation from Wayne
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Wayne delights us with his recitations of poetry every day. Living in a nearby Single Room Occupancy hotel, he has forged a great friendship with our Mercy Corps Volunteer, Emily. Thank you, Wayne, for bringing us wisdom and joy!
Click on Wayne's picture on the left to go to our Facebook page and watch the short video.
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We’ve added Reiki to our one-on-one healing modalities (along with Healing Touch, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Meditation.) Thank you, Mary and Kathleen, for your grace, generosity and skill in working with our participants individually.
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Kindness in the Tenderloin
At our monthly Community Forum, we focus on the positive dimensions of our neighborhood. In February, we shared “acts of kindness” which we had experienced on the streets of the Tenderloin, and placed them on the map. Here are some of the
responses:
- In the hospital they charged my cell phone.
- When I was hungry I got a knock on my door. It was City Impact, bringing me food when I needed it.
- A veteran found my receipt and returned it to me.
- My husband’s friend, J, who comes to The Healing WELL, let us stay his floor on 6th Street with no judgement when we were evicted. I had gone to jail and we had nothing.
- In the laundromat on Leavenworth, I met a kind woman who showed me how to use the dryers. And we talked: she helps kids with autism and learning disabilities.
- The Faithful Fools gave me a filing cabinet. Nieves brought it over to my apartment, even though he was sick with a high fever.
- A homeless person gave me a free Street Sheet.
- Earlier someone said, “'Love your hair, honey!”
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Anne Marie and Joan lead our weekly Writers Workshop. Friends since high school, and long-time volunteers with the community, they saw the need and opportunity to lead this weekly session where people could express themselves and get to know one another on deeper levels (which requires both skill and courage, notes Anne Marie.) Says Joan, "it's a privilege to 'give back' for all the blessings I've received in my life." Thank you Joan and Anne Marie.
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Join us for an Upcoming Workshop with Dave Richo
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David Richo, renowned
psychotherapist and writer, will offer a “Conscious Relationships” retreat on Saturday, March 17, from 10:00 - 3:00. This will follow-up on the Spiritual Life discussion Dave has facilitated for the past several weeks at The Healing WELL - weaving loving kindness into our relationships with others. The retreat is being hosted and held at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center at St. Agnes Parish (1611 Oak Street.) The Healing WELL community members, friends and supporters are all welcome. RSVP: ksolowy@healingwellsf.org.
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Participant
Expression: Poetry & Art
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Who Am I
Conceived out of nowhere
But in this place, in this place
Beginning to lead everywhere
My crossroad,
Which path do I choose
Question #1
Who am I
Question #2 to infinity
The path I take has
Already been answered for me
And the answer is with me….
My answer
My affirmation
I’m a strong confident woman
Walking through my fears
I love myself and I am somebody
I need validation from no one.
I love myself and I am somebody.
-J
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I enjoy making art in art class, and these are two images of nature that I loved bringing to life.
-A
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Donations by check, addressed to "The Healing WELL," are also welcome. Please mail them directly to:
The Healing WELL
c/o Community Initiatives
354 Pine Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.
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The Healing WELL is a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives
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