Tag: DC Young Adult Cancer Community

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

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Young Adult Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors (in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s) and friends around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation in Smith Center’s healing kitchen. You will assist Chef Kara with making fresh pita bread to enjoy alongside a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner menu. You will learn how to make a quick pita dough*, roll, and watch your pita puff as you learn to cook them in the oven or on the stovetop. You will then use your fresh-made pita to make a delicious apple stuffed dessert. You will even get to take home pita dough to make at home! The best part of the evening is coming together to enjoy the fruits of your labor along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. The menu includes:

  • Beet Hummus
  • Babaghanoush
  • Yogurt Dip with Herbed Garlic oil (contains dairy)
  • Fattoush salad
  • Vegetable Maqluba (“upside-down” layered rice)
  • Stuffed Pita Pies

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 5th to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

Note: This program is open to young adult cancer survivors in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. 

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate gluten restrictions, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15

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 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 Phebe Duff and Virginia Barnes Ricketts, MS, LCPC

offered in partnership with:

This presentation is designed to help cancer patients reduce suffering from the pain and stress associated with their illness. The presentation integrates mindfulness and psychoeducation. Both are evidence-based strategies for improving well-being and quality of life in patients experiencing pain. Participants will learn ways to cultivate a sense of peace in their lives while living with cancer.

About Phebe Duff

Phebe Duff is a long-time meditator and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator. She completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA and the Dharmacharya program offered by the Venerable Pannavati at Heartwood Refuge in Hendersonville, NC. Phebe has facilitated MBSR courses for a wide variety of populations since 2005. Since retiring after a 30+ year career in human resources and as a professional musician, Phebe has taught meditation and MBSR for Wellness House of Annapolis, a cancer support organization providing various kinds of emotional and other support services to people recently diagnosed with cancer or living
with cancer, family members and caregivers of cancer patients and people who have lost a loved one to cancer. Working with the cancer community and sharing the practices of meditation and mindfulness to support their healing journey has been the best experience of her teaching career.

About Virginia Barnes Ricketts, MS, LCPC

Virginia is a psychotherapist in private practice in Annapolis, Maryland serving adults and adult families with a broad range of mental health needs. Virginia has worked for the past five years as a counselor and group leader at Annapolis Wellness House where she has been able to combine her professional training with her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor. Virginia is committed to sharing with her patients the most current information in psychological science, and works to translate research into useful understandings of human behavior. Virginia brings insight into conscious and unconscious mental processes so that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be understood in the most constructive ways. Her goal is to help patients develop strategies for more effectively navigating and enjoying their lives, while continuing to grow as human beings.

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 Jenn McRobbie

offered in partnership with:

Going through cancer as a young adult is already tough, but do you sometimes feel like your family and friends just don’t understand what you’re dealing with? Are you feeling extra stress in your relationships as a result of your cancer experience? Join us for a presentation and discussion on how to better communicate and manage expectations with friends and family.

About Jenn McRobbie

Jenn McRobbie is a lifestyle and fitness coach, speaker and author. In 2013, Jenn was serving as a volunteer supporting cancer survivors as they worked to regain their fitness when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38.  Jenn turned her intensely personal and vulnerable experience into a springboard for sharing a message of resilience and positivity. Her book, published in March 2015, is an Amazon best-selling book entitled, Why is She Acting So Weird? A Guide to Cultivating Closeness When a Friend is in Crisis. It is her treatise on empowering friends to rise and lift each other during crisis. Since the publishing of her book, Jenn has traveled the United States and Canada conducting workshops and speaking about her experiences in order to help survivors find common ground with their friends and family as they maneuver through a diagnosis together. In addition to being an advocate for cancer survivors and their friends and family, Jenn loves fitness. She believes that there is an intrinsic connection between physical wellness and mental wellbeing. Using a combination of fitness techniques, mindfulness, and her own experiences coming back after major surgeries, Jenn encourages people to focus on functional movement and corrective exercise. Her favorite past time is teaching classes at her local Orangetheory Fitness Studio.

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

With Chef Kara Garrett

We’re thrilled to announce that our Supper Club is back! Join other young adult cancer survivors around the table to share a delicious meal and good conversation at Smith Center’s Friendsgiving. Chef Kara will present traditional holiday flavors with a healthy spin in easy-to-follow recipes that can be used to impress friends & family. You will learn how to make fresh pasta* dough, roll out sheets, cut, and assemble your own pumpkin ravioli. We will enjoy your ravioli creations along with a full menu provided by Chef Kara. This year’s menu includes:

  • Pumpkin Ravioli
  • Warm Wild Rice Salad with Curry Roasted Squash
  • Maple Roasted Carrots with Golden Cashew Cream
  • Spiced Apples with Quinoa Nut Crunch

Partners/Caregivers/Friends are welcome to attend. BYOB. The supper club will have a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 14 participants. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st to confirm attendance. When registering, please indicate any guest(s) that will be joining you. If you are interested in assisting Chef Kara prepare the meal, please contact us at programs@smithcenter.org or 202.483.8600.

*Please contact us in advance to accommodate egg or gluten restrictions for pasta, as well as any other dietary allergies or preferences. Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability and class size. Every individual’s needs are unique. We aim to offer a variety of health-promoting options for each individual to consider, but do not prescribe the specific dietary content of any program for anyone.

Address: 

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Suggested Donation: $15

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.

In order to attend, please register using the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org

with Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Life with Cancer, and the Ulman Foundation

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts logo

Get off your computer and gather together outside with other young adult cancer survivors and enjoy some sunshine on Smith Center for Healing and the Arts rooftop terrace. We’ll provide refreshments and you provide the conversation as you get a chance to meet up in real life with other young adults who get it. This program is hosted in partnership with Hope Connections for Cancer Support, Life with Cancer, and Ulman Foundation.

Address:

Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

1632 U Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

For those who haven’t been to Smith Center before, Smith Center is a 15-minute walk from both the Metro Red Line (Dupont Circle) or Green Line (U Street Cardozo). For those driving, there is On-street, two-hour metered parking on U St and two-hour, non-metered parking in the surrounding neighborhood.

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 carla@smithcenter.org.

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

Featuring Anthony Hyatt, Caleb Hacker, Nina, Scott Stoner, Tamara Wellons, Tiffany Carmouche and Turner Houston. Hosted by Lisa Simms Booth.

2021 Marks the 25th Anniversary of Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

Patient & Participant in Our Artist-in-Residence Program

Smith Center 25th Anniversary Conversation Series

Signature Programs: Artist-in-Residence Program

The year 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. In celebration of this momentous achievement, we are launching a series of special conversations. Across the course of the coming year, members of our Smith Center family will join us to reflect upon Smith Center’s roots, examine its present programs and impact, and imagine what the future may hold for us at Smith Center and the larger world of integrative healing.

Our next collection of conversations, focused on Smith Center’s Signature Programs, will resume on Monday, February 28th from 6 – 7:30 pm (Eastern Time). Highlighting our Artist-in-Residence Programs, we are honored to welcome a few of our program administrators, artists and care recipients: Anthony Hyatt, Caleb Hacker, Nina, Scott Stoner, Tamara Wellons Tiffany Carmouche, and Turner Houston. The panel will be interviewed by Smith Center’s Executive Director, Lisa Simms Booth.

We hope you will join us for the conversations in this special series. Please feel free to circulate this announcement and share with others the details of this upcoming conversation.

This program is being offered to support Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary. Participants are encouraged to donate $25 (or whatever amount you can afford) to support our work.

Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary Conversation Series will be hosted throughout 2021.

Selected Themes:

  • Visionary Leaders in Integrative Care
  • Smith Center’s Signature Programs
  • Participants’ Perspectives
  • Envisioning the Future

All donations for the 25th Anniversary Conversation Series will support Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary Fund. Suggested Donation: $25.

About Anthony Hyatt

Anthony Hyatt

Anthony Hyatt is a violinist who incorporates singing and movement in his work at many Washington, DC area health and human service organizations. Also a teaching artist, he is well-versed across music genres and improvisation practices. He adheres to “The Art of Presence” as a means for engaging patients, caregivers and staff in arts-based healing experiences. He is currently working on a book about his Arts in Healthcare experiences. 

About Caleb Hacker

Caleb Hacker

Caleb Hacker is a singer-songwriter, born and raised in northern Virginia. His unique voice and style helped him grow a loyal fan base worldwide through posting covers and originals on his YouTube channel – including recognition by top artists like Snoop Dogg and Christina Aguilera. He is building a local fanbase in the DMV, performing at an array of venues throughout the area, is currently gearing up to release an EP of all new original music.

About Scott Stoner

Scott Stoner

Scott Stoner serves as advisor and an artist in residence for Smith Center’s AIR Program. He has devoted his career to advancing the arts as a catalyst for social change, conflict resolution, and healing in communities nationally and internationally. Since 1999, he has recruited, trained, and supervised multi-disciplinary teams of artists for Smith Center’s Artist in Residence Programs. He holds graduate level degrees in Art Education and in Mental Health Sciences (Art Therapy), and as a visual artist, Scott works with mixed media.

About Tamara Wellons

Tamara Wellons

Tamara Wellons is the program manager for Smith Center’s Air Program. She is a professional vocal music artist with over a decade of experience in the recording industry and a diverse career as a performer and a recording artist. Prior to Smith Center, Tamara worked as a singer-in-residence for the Arts and Humanities Program (AHP) at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at MedStar’s Georgetown University Hospital. Tamara is Vice President of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Recording Academy.

About Tiffany Carmouche

Tiffany Carmouche

Tiffany Carmouche is a social conscious sculptor, author, and advocate devoted to art and creativity as an essential means of healing ourselves, our communities, and to foster social change. She has employed her creative skills to lead workshops and retreats that integrated music, dance, and visual arts to inspire and empower others to embrace self-expression, innovation and living life without regret. 

About Turner Houston

Turner Houston

Turner Houston blogs about creativity and her various passions as a photographer, a writer, a painter, and teacher of knitting and collage-making for health and healing. Formerly an art director and executive producer at The National Geographic Society,  she pursued the design and production of educational CD-ROMs in California–most notably with the Walt Disney Company. She currently devotes her time to her art, and to using art to bring a sense of calm and healing for patients, staff and caregivers at Inova Schar Cancer Institute.

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 carla@smithcenter.org.

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

Featuring Cara Scharf, Charity Sade, Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, Kimberly Parekh, and Tyler Jachetta. Hosted by Lisa Simms Booth.

2021 Marks the 25th Anniversary of Smith Center for Healing and the Arts

Smith Center 25th Anniversary Conversation Series

Signature Programs: DC Young Adult Cancer Community

The year 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. In celebration of this momentous achievement, we are launching a series of special conversations. Across the course of the coming year, members of our Smith Center family will join us to reflect upon Smith Center’s roots, examine its present programs and impact, and imagine what the future may hold for us at Smith Center and the larger world of integrative healing.

Our next collection of conversations, focused on Smith Center’s Signature Programs, will resume on Monday, October 25th from 6 – 7:30 pm (Eastern Time). Highlighting our DC Young Adult Cancer Community and programs, we are honored to welcome a few of our young adult cancer survivors: Cara Scharf, Charity Sade, Erin Price, Kimberly Parekh, and Tyler Jachetta. The panel will be interviewed by Smith Center’s Executive Director, Lisa Simms Booth.

We hope you will join us for the conversations in this special series. Please feel free to circulate this announcement and share with others the details of this upcoming conversation.

This program is being offered to support Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary. Participants are encouraged to donate $25 (or whatever amount you can afford) to support our work.

Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary Conversation Series will be hosted throughout 2021.

Selected Themes:

  • Visionary Leaders in Integrative Care
  • Smith Center’s Signature Programs
  • Participants’ Perspectives
  • Envisioning the Future

All donations for the 25th Anniversary Conversation Series will support Smith Center’s 25th Anniversary Fund. Suggested Donation: $25.

Cara Scharf

Cara Scharf

At age 21, right after graduating college, Cara learned that she had the BRCA 1 gene mutation, which she was tested for because of a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. At age 25, her first screening MRI picked up stage 1 triple-negative breast cancer, which she treated with a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. Ten years later, at age 36, Cara feels fortunate to remain cancer-free and to have space and time to reflect on her experience and how it changed her understanding of her life, her relationships, and the world. In the past ten years, Cara participated in and led many young adult-focused support communities through organizations such as Young Survival Coalition, as well as co-founded her own support community in her hometown of Philadelphia called Young Adult Cancer Connection. Her day job is Assistant Director for Community-Based Learning at Drexel University, where she helps college students develop identities as active and engaged citizens, but she considers her most important work to be organizing around social justice issues in her community. In her free time she enjoys exploring Philadelphia’s parks and cultural assets, listening to Broadway musicals, and playing her ukulele. 

Charity Sade

Charity Sade

Charity Sad​e​ is an up and coming comedian from Indiana, but has resided in Washington, D.C. for the last 8 years.

She has performed across the country, and won a new comic competition at Greenwich Village Comedy Club. ​Within her first year of comedy, Charity made her festival debut at the 2018 DC Comedy Festival as well as the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival.

She has always used humor to get through difficult moments in her life, including her breast cancer diagnosis at age 27. ​On stage, she takes her difficult life experiences and turns them into relatable, humorous tales. Her comedic superpower is her ability to make you simultaneously laugh and cringe.

Charity is the creator and founder of Comedic Relief: Coping Through Comedy. You can catch Charity hosting, producing, and performing on shows across the DMV.

Erin Price

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.

Kimberly Parekh

Tyler Jachetta

Tyler was diagnosed with grade III brain cancer in 2018, and has been supported by the Smith Center’s Young Adult program in a variety of ways since.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Erin Price, LICSW

Jackbox Party Pack 3

Looking for more opportunities to connect socially with other young adult cancer survivors? Join us for our February social.

This month we will be playing Jackbox Party Pack games. Games include Quiplash, Trivia Murder Party, and Guesspionage.

Play using your phone, tablet, or computer.

YA Social Hour will be hosted monthly on Fridays from 6:00-7:00pm. Each month will have a new “theme” – please see below for the currently scheduled social hours.

  • February 26 – Jackbox Party

DC Young Adult Cancer Community: https://youngadultcancerdc.org/

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Erin Price, LICSW

YA Trivia Night
Looking for more opportunities to connect socially with other young adult cancer survivors? Join us for our monthly social. This month we will be hosting virtual trivia night – come test your luck and meet other young adults.

YA Social Hour will be hosted monthly on Fridays from 6:00-7:00pm. Each month will have a new “theme” – please see below for the currently scheduled social hours.

  • December 18 – Trivia Night

DC Young Adult Cancer Community: https://youngadultcancerdc.org/

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Erin Price, LICSW

Pictionary
Looking for more opportunities to connect socially with other young adult cancer survivors? Join us for our monthly social. This month we will be hosting virtual Pictionary – come test your luck and meet other young adults.

YA Social Hour will be hosted monthly on Fridays from 6:00-7:00pm. Each month will have a new “theme” – please see below for the currently scheduled social hours.

  • November 20 – Pictionary Night
  • December 18 – Trivia Night

DC Young Adult Cancer Community: https://youngadultcancerdc.org/