This program is being offered in-person. To participate, please RSVP through the button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

with Trudy-Ann Brown, LGSW, Tina Lassiter, and Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Step into strength and sisterhood with our half-day workshop designed for Black women facing the challenges of breast cancer. This transformative program will provide space to explore body image complexities and the opportunity to build self-love and resilience. Through shared stories, expert guidance, and a supportive network, rediscover your beauty, resilience, and the courage to thrive beyond the diagnosis. Join us on this empowering journey towards healing and self-love. This workshop is designed for Black women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer – open to those at any stage and any point in their treatment or survivorship.


About Trudy-Ann Brown, LGSW

Trudy-Ann was originally born in Jamaica and was raised in The Bahamas before moving to the United States in 2017. She attended Temple University and majored in Political Science and then attended Columbia University School of Social Work where she attained her MSW degree. Trudy-Ann’s interest in palliative care was due to her volunteer experience at Rosary Hill Nursing Home in Westchester, New York. This experience changed the trajectory of her social work career as she realized the necessity for palliative and hospice care for individuals with life threatening and chronic illnesses. Outside of social work, Trudy-Ann enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and exploring all a new city has to offer.

About Tina Scott Lassiter

Tina Scott Lassiter, M.B.A., is a holistic health professional, collagist, photographer, author/writer, speaker/moderator, and co-host of The Body Love Construct podcast. Certified in several mind-body disciplines and the healing arts, she facilitates workshops for groups and individuals that focus on emotional, social, and spiritual development and health. Her collage images originally addressed self-esteem and personal body awareness; they later materialized as statement art, dictated by current events and social issues. Both her essays and art have appeared in anthologies and on/in a number of online and printed national publications.

About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Erin Price

Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A ten-year+ breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the Young Survival Coalition, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Please email Olivia at programs@smithcenter.org for further information about the program.

with Carole O’Toole

A small, almost inaudible voice will say what lies ahead. By Sheila Petruccelli

Cancer often initiates an intense transformational process that can raise more questions than answers, leading us to re-examine our beliefs and approach to life. We may feel called to explore opportunities for spiritual growth, feeling a desire to connect with the sacred in a more conscious way and define more deeply life’s meaning in the face of cancer.

Regardless of your personal beliefs or faith system, working with a spiritual companion offers you an opportunity to reflect with another on what is going on for you spiritually, and explore how to integrate your cancer experience with your personal beliefs.

Spiritual Companions:

  • Provide a safe, trusting environment that invites stillness and reflection.
  • Support your spiritual growth and exploration, your unique and personal journey.
  • Listen, deeply and with compassion, honoring your sacred story. This deep listening helps you to connect with your most authentic self and illuminate your unique spiritual path.

    “Your soul already knows the way to wholeness and healing, but often speaks to us in a small, still voice. In our time together, we create a nest for your soul to rest awhile, allowing space for your sacred truth to be revealed.”

    Carole invites you to explore with her how to make meaning of your cancer experience and to look for where the holy is in your life. Currently, limited space is available for new clients. Individual appointments are available via Zoom or by telephone and are free of charge. 

    Suggested Donation: $15


About Carole O’Toole

Retreats, Integrative Navigation and Spiritual Companioning Consultant

Carole, a survivor of advanced cancer since 1994, is the author of two books on integrative cancer care: “Cancer Community Healing Network”, and “Healing Outside the Margins”. She began her work with Smith Center in 2006, creating our integrative cancer care navigation model, and introducing integrative navigation services to Howard University Cancer Center and the city’s medically underserved community. Carole went on to develop and direct the Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation, and co-created and led our professional training program in integrative cancer care navigation, offered to navigators nationwide and now available online through our partnership with the Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Carole has been an integral part of Smith Center’s Cancer Retreat Programs throughout her tenure, staffing the weeklong residential retreats for many years and leading one day retreats at our offices. Carole assumed leadership of the retreat program in 2015, where she developed our 3 day in-person retreats and 6-week virtual retreat programs.

Carole continues her retreat work alongside her coaching individuals on integrative cancer care decision-making and complementary resources. Most recently, Carole became a certified Spiritual Director, offering spiritual companioning services to adults with cancer and their loved ones.

To learn more about Carole and her work in integrative navigation and spiritual companioning, visit her website: www.cohealing.net.

Please email Olivia at programs@smithcenter.org for further information about the program.

with Carole O’Toole

A small, almost inaudible voice will say what lies ahead. By Sheila Petruccelli

Cancer often initiates an intense transformational process that can raise more questions than answers, leading us to re-examine our beliefs and approach to life. We may feel called to explore opportunities for spiritual growth, feeling a desire to connect with the sacred in a more conscious way and define more deeply life’s meaning in the face of cancer.

Regardless of your personal beliefs or faith system, working with a spiritual companion offers you an opportunity to reflect with another on what is going on for you spiritually, and explore how to integrate your cancer experience with your personal beliefs.

Spiritual Companions:

  • Provide a safe, trusting environment that invites stillness and reflection.
  • Support your spiritual growth and exploration, your unique and personal journey.
  • Listen, deeply and with compassion, honoring your sacred story. This deep listening helps you to connect with your most authentic self and illuminate your unique spiritual path.

    “Your soul already knows the way to wholeness and healing, but often speaks to us in a small, still voice. In our time together, we create a nest for your soul to rest awhile, allowing space for your sacred truth to be revealed.”

    Carole invites you to explore with her how to make meaning of your cancer experience and to look for where the holy is in your life. Currently, limited space is available for new clients. Individual appointments are available via Zoom or by telephone and are free of charge. 

    Suggested Donation: $15


About Carole O’Toole

Retreats, Integrative Navigation and Spiritual Companioning Consultant

Carole, a survivor of advanced cancer since 1994, is the author of two books on integrative cancer care: “Cancer Community Healing Network”, and “Healing Outside the Margins”. She began her work with Smith Center in 2006, creating our integrative cancer care navigation model, and introducing integrative navigation services to Howard University Cancer Center and the city’s medically underserved community. Carole went on to develop and direct the Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation, and co-created and led our professional training program in integrative cancer care navigation, offered to navigators nationwide and now available online through our partnership with the Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Carole has been an integral part of Smith Center’s Cancer Retreat Programs throughout her tenure, staffing the weeklong residential retreats for many years and leading one day retreats at our offices. Carole assumed leadership of the retreat program in 2015, where she developed our 3 day in-person retreats and 6-week virtual retreat programs.

Carole continues her retreat work alongside her coaching individuals on integrative cancer care decision-making and complementary resources. Most recently, Carole became a certified Spiritual Director, offering spiritual companioning services to adults with cancer and their loved ones.

To learn more about Carole and her work in integrative navigation and spiritual companioning, visit her website: www.cohealing.net.

This program is being hosted in-person. To register, please click the RSVP button above or email programs@smithcenter.org.

With Chef Kara Garrett

The first step in building your own healing kitchen is learning which ingredients to have on hand. Spring is the perfect time to revitalize your kitchen into the healing space that you desire. We will review essential items that you can keep in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to create delicious, balanced meals packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber-rich foods, and spices. Our discussion will include:

  • How to clean out your pantry and fridge and eliminate ultra-processed foods
  • Review essential kitchen equipment in a health-supportive kitchen
  • How to stock your pantry and kitchen with dry goods, spices, healthy fats, snacks, and fridge & freezer staples
  • Familiarize yourself with new pantry items and learn how to properly prepare
    them
  • Receive an editable pantry essentials shopping list to assist you with taking
    inventory in your kitchen and purchasing new items.

The class will end by assisting Chef Kara with making a flavorful meal that you can quickly prepare with your own well-stocked pantry, and sharing our delicious meal together.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15/session or $45/series


About Chef Kara Garrett

Kara Garrett Cancer Support Program Coordinator

Kara Garrett is a health-supportive chef based in Washington, DC. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she embraced the challenge of finding a balance between her foodie lifestyle and eating well with cancer. Kara is a graduate of the Chef Training Program at Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC, trained under Chef Lillian Chou at The Ananda Ashram Yoga Society of New York, and completed a graduate certificate in Developing Healthy Communities: Nutrition, Behavior, and Physical Activity from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is passionate about working with others to encourage healthier food choices and develop sustainable food relationships that energize the body and the soul.

This program is being offered in-person. In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

with Simone Banks Mackey (They/Them/Theirs)

Dive into the restorative benefits of essential oils. Craft body oil and scrub blends uniquely tailored to your essence. Family Friendly Program!


About Simone Banks Mackey

Since childhood, Simone Banks Mackey (They/Them/Theirs) has always been an eccentric being that had an insatiable passion for life and helping others. After attending undergraduate school to study multiple Studio Arts disciplines and nonprofit management they decided to continue community-centered work. Teaching preschool offered Simone the opportunity to creatively expose children to multiple forms of art. However, they realized the magnitude of how structural stability within the home affects both parents’ mental/emotional/physical wellbeing and the children’s cognitive development. Simone then decided to work with grassroots organization that provided families with tools to be self-sufficient. It was during this time Eccentric Whims was born. While creating and hosting programming to artistically teach parents and children, Simone realized how they could combine their passion for art with community uplifting. Eccentric Whims catapults love and healing into the world by using a multitude of traditional and nontraditional art forms to foster creative thinking and promote healing/wellness while building community. Through carefully crafted community events surrounding any range and of non/traditional art forms such as mixed media collages, decor/crafts, visual media, and movement Simone creates safe spaces for people to express themselves and/or learn. Art is universal and through Art, we can communicate, commune, and create a greater society.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Kenneth Johnson

A Healing Circle: Gay Men with Prostate Cancer

We are a group of gay men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or who are recovering from treatment that offer support to each other. In a peer-led community, we share our experiences and understanding to help one another best deal with our own personal situations.


The Healing Circle for Gay Men with Prostate Cancer meets Monthly on the 4th Thursday from 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET.


About Kenneth Johnson

Kenneth Johnson

Kenneth Johnson, of Owings Mills, MD, is a founding member and facilitator of the Healing Circle Supporting Gay Men with Prostate Cancer hosted at the Smith Center since October 2018. Kenneth’s prostate cancer diagnosis in 2016 at the age of 50 began, not with any symptoms of a problem, but due to a vigilant doctor who was aware of black men’s higher cancer risk and encouraged earlier screening. Blood tests showed a rising PSA that triggered the need for a biopsy. Kenneth underwent surgery and radiation later in 2016. Before volunteering with the support group, Kenneth volunteered with many LGBTQ+ organizations and community non-profits in Atlanta, GA.

Professionally, Kenneth retired in 2021 after 34 years of federal service as an information technology analyst. Now, he is often on the highways with his octogenarian parents visiting family and friends around the country. You can catch up with Kenneth at the local gym or track working up a good sweat to offset his time in the kitchen cooking for and eating with his parents. At other times, you will find him enjoying his monthly book club selection, stressing over a Ravens game (or Orioles or Alabama football), chuckling at a corny Hallmark movie, or tackling (and possibly regretting) an HGTV-inspired home project.

Despite the cloud of prostate cancer, Kenneth sees the silver lining as the community of wonderful souls that have befriended him through the Smith Center and the healing circle for gay men with prostate cancer.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Annie Levy

Conversations In Photography is Annie Levy’s unique program that allows us to see and have conversations about the most important subjects in our lives – heavy, light, sad, funny and everything in between. An enjoyable and engaging way to discover and see new things about ourselves using a visual language to help us unlock who we are.

My Most Important Photos – Who I Was, Who I Am, Who I Hope To Be

Annie will join us and offer a specially tailored Conversations In Photography workshop that will focus on the joy of discovering who we are and envisioning who we are and want to become through the lens of our most important photos. Sometimes it is difficult to put into words answers to questions such as:

What matters most to you?

What would you like more of in your life?

Are you at a crossroads – either by design or because of circumstances?

Images can help us see and articulate these things! Show up as you are and simply bring a photo you love or one that has particular meaning to you in each category: Who I Was, Who I Am, Who I Hope To Be. You do not need to know why you love it or even why it has special meaning – that is what our workshop is about and what we will discover together.


About Annie Levy

Annie works with leaders in philanthropy, for profit and non-profit organizations, individuals and small groups from a variety of sectors to help them discover what matters most to them and create ways forward into those experiences. People from all walks of life feel comfortable in working with Annie
and trusting her with their most important photos. From national leaders in medicine and healthcare to teens in military families to groups looking at what longevity means to them – they have all had the joy of working with Annie in looking at their own images and those that have special meaning to them as a way to discover themselves and the futures they want to create.

Annie has her BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she studied writing and photography and her LMSW from Silberman School of Social Work where she learned to work with groups and counsel individuals. Her training and experience have proved to be the ideal combination of skills to do this work.
She is a sought after speaker and has presented about her work at a host of conferences including those for Google, the Cleveland Clinic, the Center for Health Care Design, Cornell Center for Healthy Futures, the International Longevity Center, and the National Academy of Medicine, among others.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking <here> or email olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Ketty M Urbay

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

*Please note that by registering for this program, you consent to have your name and email shared with Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily only collects this information for data purposes and it will not be shared with any other parties.

Ketty’s desire to bring the healing and transformative power of music and dance into women’s lives has birthed her new community, Simply M The Movement. Ketty won’t stop until every woman’s heart is free to express the truest expression of who she is. Mind, body and soul. So let’s dance!

Dance and music can heal your mind, body and soul.  This is a 1 hour dance class set to a carefully curated musical playlist that will inspire and elevate.  Have fun following easy to learn dance steps and creative movement exercises that will spark your joy and creativity.  Every week is a new theme and a whole new set of moves to a variety of music.

Recommended audience:  Everyone who loves to dance and thinks they can’t do it! Everyone who loves to dance and wants to keep dancing in a fun and safe space!

Simply M the Movement is offered on weekly on Thursdays.


About Ketty M Urbay

Ketty M Urbay was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. Ketty has a double bachelors in Dance and Psychology from Florida International University. She facilitated movement and creative writing workshops for 15 years with at risk teenage girls through a program created by her Dance Professor Leslie Neal called ArtSpring.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Patricia Diaz, MS, KYT-500, RYT-500®

 

Start getting ready for the weekend (or end your day …) by practicing some gentle hatha yoga to explore letting go of what no longer serves you and open up space for healthy habits of self-care that will help you achieve your goals. This practice is appropriate for all levels of practice.
Hatha is a practice of yoga that involves physical postures (asanas) and breathing techniques. It is typically practiced slowly, with more static holds than a vinyasa or ashtanga class.

Patricia’s Yoga Class Meets Weekly on Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00pm ET.

Suggested Donation for 1 Class: $10

Suggested Donation for 1 Month of Classes: $25

In addition, our yoga classes are listed with the National MS Society and we welcome patients and caregivers of those with multiple sclerosis to our gentle yoga classes.

Our programs are also open to the community, and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone.


About Patricia Diaz

Certifications: MS, KYT-500 (Kripalu Yoga Teacher), RYT-500® (Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance), and Health Supportive Chef from The Natural Gourmet Institute

Provides: Yoga Basics, Dynamic Gentle Yoga, Intermediate Yoga and meditation instruction for group classes and private clients. Life and professional/executive coaching.

Patricia’s yoga journey began in 1989. During the most challenging time in her life, and with the help of friends, family and life mentors, she turned to yoga, plant-based diets, and other wellness techniques to manage her crisis and gently restore her health and wellness.

The lessons Patricia learned, and years of yoga practice led to an enthusiasm for well-being, and to a search for a depth of knowledge, that provided a compass for her life and career. In 2019, motivated by a desire to start sharing this knowledge with others, she completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. It also led her to pursue training in the plant-based chef program at the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City. She completed her 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2023 also at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

Patricia’s teaching style reflects the influence of gurus and teachers that have come into her life. She is passionate about teaching the foundations of yoga to beginners and all … partly because she spent many years working on the basics, but also because she believes that anyone – no matter the physical challenge – can practice yoga. She loves to help others connect with their inner wisdom, and she believes that a genuine practice starts with a strong foundation honoring the principles of ‘ahimsa’ – first do no harm.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Elizabeth Belanger

In Partnership with GW Cancer Center & Cancer Support Community

This monthly support group is designed for adults diagnosed with cancer who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. The group will be facilitated by culturally competent social workers, who will provide a safe space to connect with others and explore your own unique experience with cancer.


The LGBTQ+ Cancer Support Group meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.


About Elizabeth Belanger

Elizabeth Belanger is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in Washington DC. Elizabeth received her BA in Psychology with minors in Women’s Studies and Sociology from Elon University and a Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University. Elizabeth strives to provide therapy that is client lead and trauma-informed. She is continuously seeking education on the latest techniques in culturally humble and trauma-informed therapy practices. Elizabeth currently works here in DC at Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling and Consultation (CCCC) with young adults and adults, with issues pertaining to anxiety, depression, chronic illness, trauma, LGBTQ, and women’s issues.