WHO WE ARE
We are a small team of local healing arts practitioners who believe that every member of our community can enjoy a high quality of life here in beautiful rural Vermont, that everyone has something to offer, that our community has the resources and potential to provide for our needs and to help us to flourish, and that we are all better when we work together. Our Program Director is Dawn Hancy, Reiki Master and founder of Essential Arts Reiki. Adriana Boulanger and Charlie Goldensher are other current team members.
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ICR is a program of Global Community Initiatives
Global Community Initiatives (GCI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, helps communities move forward with confidence and enthusiasm to achieve their vision for a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, good governance, and a sense of connection to their neighbors and the world. We assist communities with projects that foster democratic practices, social and economic justice, respect and care for the community of life, and environmental integrity. We work to create a context where people feel inspired to work for positive change. Gwendolyn Hallsmith is the Executive Director of GCI.
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Dawn and Adriana met Gwen met in 2015 at a Weaving Wellbeing retreat Gwen had organized to bring together healers in Central Vermont to explore sustainable business-community models for bringing gentle healing arts into the community to serve more people, reducing health care costs with fewer risks and side effects while improving outcomes and wellness, and to attract visitors to the state who are seeking healthier vacation and recreation options. The Vermont Weaving Wellbeing Network has continued to host collaborative events, and initiated a pilot program offering holistic health care in a model similar to a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture program. ICR's work in East Central Vermont is a natural outgrowth of this work and research.
WHAT WE DO
We're starting by enhancing wellness for elders and caregivers by bringing Reiki and other healing arts into a community care setting because we know how powerful healing touch can be to help relieve suffering and improve overall wellness, and it's not something most people have experienced in this way. We hold a weekly sharing circle at Riverbend where folks create deeper bonds by showing caring for one another as we open up in response to topics related to wellness or just stories of our lives. We do some stretching and deep breathing and share strategies for dealing with stress. Then the providers work one-on-one with the residents and staff offering Reiki, massage and Omega Shakti healing energy treatments. These have helped to relieve headaches, cold hands and feet due to poor circulation, and localized joint pain as well as reducing anxiety and creating a more uplifting atmosphere.
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We really value what the participants have to offer in both their sharing and receiving, and we always let them know how much they are cared for and appreciated, even based as they are in a residential care setting where their social opportunities are limited and other challenges can loom large in their day-to-day life. We also are committed to caring for the caregivers for we know that they do much more than just perform a job, and their care is vitally important for the continued wellbeing of the community. So often caregivers give and give without prioritizing our own care, so we make sure to take the time to support these crucial members of the organization, from the Director to the aides. When caregivers are well-cared for, everyone benefits!
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We would like to expand our offerings to include more healing arts practitioners and more groups receiving care as well as supporting other aspects of wellness like nutrition, economic wellness, safety, healthy families and more by partnering with other local organizations from non-profits to small businesses, additional funders, local events and community groups to offer programs and education as well as direct service treatments.
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Your donations will help make this possible, as we rely on generous individual contributions and grants. Learn more about our Summer Matching Campaign here.