11/17/2022
Dear Friends,
Today is MN Give to the Max Day, a celebration of generosity and a giant virtual hug to the causes that help our communities thrive. Dharma River-Manitou Center’s 2022 Give to the May Campaign is called Groups for Compassionate Care & Personal Growth and if you’d like to donate, you can do so by clicking on this link https://www.givemn.org/story/Groupsforcompassionatecare .
We have the great fortune of participating in this day with hopes you will consider donating to our work to bring people together to develop and practice daily life skills to care compassionately for themselves and others. Group work is something we are passionate about, as it models loving and supportive community practice, and it provides safe spaces for individuals to remember they are not alone, no matter what life situation they find themselves in.
Our 2022 fundraising campaign focuses on providing new and continued opportunities for small groups to come together, both indoors and outside in nature. There are many benefits to working with individuals in group settings. Sharing time in groups provides opportunities for individuals to both listen whole-heartedly and to be heard whole-heartedly. Safe, caring and supportive groups provides an opportunity to connect with others, realize that we're not alone and remind us that others go through similar life experiences. Coming together in groups help bring people out of isolation and into spaces where they can build relationships and feel they have a safe place to belong. Groups topics include: Girls Connect, Women's Circle, Boys Connect, Dad's Group, Parenting Together, Group in Nature for Anxiety and Depression and Mindfulness and Movement for Strengthening Mental Health.
The 2022 Groups for Compassionate Care & Personal Growth campaign fund will go toward lowering the costs for individuals to participate in groups making it affordable for all people. Funding will go toward partial and full scholarships when needed for participation. Campaign funding will help staff develop content and implement group trainings, sessions and retreats, both indoors and outdoors in nature. Content will focus on self-awareness, self-compassion, self-care, and developing skills to navigate stress, anxiety and depression. Group content will focus on heartfelt listening and learning from other participants, building skills of confidence and self-worth and developing tools to cope with difficulties and obstacles and to celebrate and appreciate life's success.
Since 2009, Dharma River-Manitou has successfully led, facilitated, and supported diverse groups both indoors and outside in nature. Past group work includes: Girls Connect, Resiliency For First Responders, Heart-Centered Healing For Difficult Times, Women and Spirituality, Women's Circles, Camp Manitou and Living Calm in the Chaos for Youth and Caregivers.
We express our great gratitude for your generosity in helping us nurture, support and sustain healthy, compassionate individuals in community.
With love,
Your Friends at Dharma River-Manitou
