Exhale is offering a new virtual series “Circles of Care” for those with abortion experiences who may have also experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault. This will be a confidential group for up to 8 participants, and will run in 2-hour sessions for 3 weeks.
The Circle of Care process is a sacred practice that nurtures relationships with ourselves and others in an inclusive and reflective environment. With the use of a talking piece, each individual has the opportunity to speak from the heart without interruption, to sit in silence, or to pass, cultivating an opportunity for deep listening, respect, and acknowledgement of the importance of each person’s experience and presence. All are welcome to bring their minds, bodies, spirits and emotions into the circle.
We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples as a source of learning and wisdom that grounds and informs our current practice of the Circle process.
Learn about the Circles of Care facilitators here.
Apply for the Virtual Circles of Care using the form below:
Information shared in your application is only for the use of circle facilitators who work with Exhale. Your answers are used by the facilitators to create groups that express our commitment to diversity and intersectionality.
Virtual Circles of Care Facilitators
Nancy Slamet
Hello everyone! I’m Nancy Slamet (she/her/hers) and I’m passionate about transformation and healing at the individual, family, community and societal levels. Several years ago, I learned the wisdom tradition of circles from North American Native elders and seasoned practitioners. This practice has had a profound impact on my life ever since, particularly due to its power to foster deep (re)connections with ourselves and others. For many years, I have hosted support, learning, healing and peacemaking circles at a domestic violence organization in the Boston area and in various community and workplace settings. I look forward to being in circle with members of the Exhale community where we can (re)discover the best in ourselves and in one another.
M
Melissa Rudder (aka M) (they/them/their) creates opportunities for deep listening and the cultivation of one’s authentic voice through creative practices, meditations, rituals, and coaching in the realm of skillful and empowered communication that stems from a place of self-reflection and self-knowing. They honor the elders of the Huichols of Mexico in their teachings of the circle practice with them many years ago and also the instructors in their Masters Program in Conflict Management from Champlain College.