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 Gayle Danley, national & international poetry slam champion
Gayle Performing in Frederick, MD
Slam poetry began in Chicago’s bars and coffeehouses in the late 1980’s. This phenomenal blend of spoken and written word turns every willing soul into a poet while providing relief from the stresses of the day. Master teaching artist Gayle Danley has shared her down-on-the-floor style of performance poetry all over the country in classrooms, lecture halls, theatres and even on CBS’ 60 minutes.
Join her for much laughter, emotion, comfort, understanding and instruction in the art of slam poetry. Her 4-step process has been tried in the fire and proven to be an effective antidote to the blues of the day and the isolation that threatens to drive us mad!
Suggested Donation: $15
Poem for my Sisters With Sons:
Breathe:
Pull a clean fist of air inside your self
and let it rest there
wide and unfrightened inside your belly
asking for nothing
Remember when the baby boy was there
Stirring and fighting and kicking things around
inside of you.
And where is he now?
Kicking at air
asking for everything
Defiance rippling on the edge of his skin
Beautiful as water
And do not worry if your brown boy
doesn’t smile enough
as long as he still smiles at you:
over dinner
over the news
from beneath a curtain of hair tangled and sprawled,
it is enough
Does he still know your name?
Good.
Does he still reach for you when there is blood
Does he still make you want to kill him on Monday mornings
Soon after crushing the competition at Asheville’s National Poetry Slam in 1994, Gayle Danley entered America’s classrooms teaching thousands of children how to access their emotions through the force of words. She performed and taught her way from Maryland Young Audience’s Artist of the Year, to National Young Audience’s Artist of the Year. She’s also both a former national and international poetry slam champion. CBS 60 Minutes profiled her work with middle schoolers as well as the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post and New York Times.
For the past five years, Gayle’s Grieffriend sessions have helped women who are living with AIDS, widows, incarcerated youth and those struggling with drug addiction and recovery use poetry to cope and bravely face life’s challenges.
Gayle was recently named Maryland Library Association Poet of the Year.
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 emailingprograms@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
This monthly virtual group is for Stage 0 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom.
The Breast Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.
About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
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.
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom.Please click <here> to register for this circle.
with members of the Grief Team from Healing Circles Global
Please join us in a series Healing Circles for Grief “to discover the extent and limits of what is lost, what is left and what is possible.” – John Schneider
If you have lost a loved one, this is an opportunity to share what is on your heart and mind right now, to listen and be listened to deeply and generously. Together we create a safe space for listening to messages from our inner experience.
Our healing circles are a safe and supportive space to walk with each other through these times. Each circle is a blend of sharing and silence, compassion, and curiosity. Our agreements ensure acceptance and confidentiality. We honor our own unique paths to healing and respect the choices of others.
Some Assumptions about Grief
The experience of grief is unique for each individual. While we can make some general assumptions, there is no template that describes the experience for all people.
Grief is cumulative. That is, each time loss is grieved, the grief encompasses the lifetime of loss and the remnants of each experience.
Grief following a significant loss is most often a lifelong process, with each pivotal point in life bringing the grief back up to be processed from a new perspective.
Grief, loss and suffering fundamentally changes and reshapes the individual.
Grief is not about forgetting or disconnecting. Rather, healthy grief is about remembering the parts of self that get lost amidst the experience and reorienting the individual in their relationship with self, the world and others.
Grief is a whole body experience: emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual. Each have a wide range of expression which can cue us that grief is present.
While grief and trauma are often intertwined there are significant differences between them. Trauma should be addressed with trauma specific interventions that often go beyond what is possible in circles.
Adapted from Khris Ford
Grieving Together Healing Circle will meet Weekly on Tuesdays at 11am EST (8am PST) for 6 weeks.
Grief Circle Dates:
January 21 & 28
February 4, 11, 18 & 25
Healing circles are offered at no charge. If you’re able, we invite you to make a gift to help cover the cost of participating when registering through Healing Circles Global.
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 emailingprograms@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
This monthly virtual group is for Stage 0 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom.
The Breast Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.
About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
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.
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom.Please click <here> to register for this circle.
with members of the Grief Team from Healing Circles Global
Please join us in a series Healing Circles for Grief “to discover the extent and limits of what is lost, what is left and what is possible.” – John Schneider
If you have lost a loved one, this is an opportunity to share what is on your heart and mind right now, to listen and be listened to deeply and generously. Together we create a safe space for listening to messages from our inner experience.
Our healing circles are a safe and supportive space to walk with each other through these times. Each circle is a blend of sharing and silence, compassion, and curiosity. Our agreements ensure acceptance and confidentiality. We honor our own unique paths to healing and respect the choices of others.
Some Assumptions about Grief
The experience of grief is unique for each individual. While we can make some general assumptions, there is no template that describes the experience for all people.
Grief is cumulative. That is, each time loss is grieved, the grief encompasses the lifetime of loss and the remnants of each experience.
Grief following a significant loss is most often a lifelong process, with each pivotal point in life bringing the grief back up to be processed from a new perspective.
Grief, loss and suffering fundamentally changes and reshapes the individual.
Grief is not about forgetting or disconnecting. Rather, healthy grief is about remembering the parts of self that get lost amidst the experience and reorienting the individual in their relationship with self, the world and others.
Grief is a whole body experience: emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual. Each have a wide range of expression which can cue us that grief is present.
While grief and trauma are often intertwined there are significant differences between them. Trauma should be addressed with trauma specific interventions that often go beyond what is possible in circles.
Adapted from Khris Ford
Grieving Together Healing Circle will meet Weekly on Fridays at 12pm EST (9am PST, 11am CST, 5pm UK) for 6 weeks.
Grief Circle Dates:
December 13, 20 & 27
January 3, 10 & 17
Healing circles are offered at no charge. If you’re able, we invite you to make a gift to help cover the cost of participating when registering through Healing Circles Global.
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 emailingprograms@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
This monthly virtual group is for Stage 0 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom.
The Breast Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.
About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
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.
About Joslyn Trovati, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C
Joslyn Trovati MSW, LICSW, OSW-C is the Program Director for Cancer Support Community Washington, D.C. Joslyn is a licensed clinical social worker with previous experience in outpatient oncology and palliative care. Prior to joining CSC DC, Joslyn was an oncology social worker at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, where she provided individual and group psychosocial support and resource navigation to people with breast cancer and their caregivers. Joslyn earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from The George Washington University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Joslyn enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, running, and exploring DC’s vibrant restaurant scene. Joslyn is thrilled to be partnering with the Smith Center as a co-facilitator for the Breast Cancer, Previvor, and Survivorship groups!
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom.Please click <here> to register for this circle.
with members of the Grief Team from Healing Circles Global
Please join us in a series Healing Circles for Grief “to discover the extent and limits of what is lost, what is left and what is possible.” – John Schneider
If you have lost a loved one, this is an opportunity to share what is on your heart and mind right now, to listen and be listened to deeply and generously. Together we create a safe space for listening to messages from our inner experience.
Our healing circles are a safe and supportive space to walk with each other through these times. Each circle is a blend of sharing and silence, compassion, and curiosity. Our agreements ensure acceptance and confidentiality. We honor our own unique paths to healing and respect the choices of others.
Some Assumptions about Grief
The experience of grief is unique for each individual. While we can make some general assumptions, there is no template that describes the experience for all people.
Grief is cumulative. That is, each time loss is grieved, the grief encompasses the lifetime of loss and the remnants of each experience.
Grief following a significant loss is most often a lifelong process, with each pivotal point in life bringing the grief back up to be processed from a new perspective.
Grief, loss and suffering fundamentally changes and reshapes the individual.
Grief is not about forgetting or disconnecting. Rather, healthy grief is about remembering the parts of self that get lost amidst the experience and reorienting the individual in their relationship with self, the world and others.
Grief is a whole body experience: emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual. Each have a wide range of expression which can cue us that grief is present.
While grief and trauma are often intertwined there are significant differences between them. Trauma should be addressed with trauma specific interventions that often go beyond what is possible in circles.
Adapted from Khris Ford
Grieving Together Healing Circle will meet Weekly on Wednesdays at 1pm EST (10am PST, 12pm CST, 6pm UK) for 6 weeks.
Grief Circle Dates:
November 6, 13, 20 & 27
December 4 & 11
This session has been cancelled.
with Simone Banks Mackey (They/Them/Theirs)
Using modern and ancient techniques of developing symbols allows your imagination to wonder and form a personal affirmation sigil. A Sigil, in a greater sense, is a symbol that represents a meaning. Where they differ is how/why we create them. This process is not only therapeutic but extremely individualized. Each sigil contains specific messaging that is meant to empower you. Using meditation, herbal teas, movement, food, music, and/or scents, we intentionally create an environment that empowers us to imbue our intentions into our sigil fully. A process that can result in the simplest of shapes to the most elaborate of forms.
After your affirmation sigil is created it is charged with your energy and can be used whenever you need to affirm your power. Whether that be on your hallway mirror, daily bag, passenger dashboard, clothes/shoes, or even yourself its intention will hold.
The theme of the month will be shared at the beginning of each session.
Suggested Materials:
Writing utensils (pens, markers, paint, etc.)
Canvas (paper, book, hat, guitar, etc.)
Water (for drinking)
Set your “empowerment mood” (clothing, food, scents, lighting, etc.)
Suggested Donation: $10
This program is offered bi-monthly on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 6:00-7:30pm EST. It is being hosted on the 2nd Tuesday this month (Tuesday, July 9th) due to the holiday.
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 emailingprograms@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
This monthly virtual group is for Stage 0 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom.
The Breast Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.
About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C
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.
About Joslyn Trovati, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C
Joslyn Trovati MSW, LICSW, OSW-C is the Program Director for Cancer Support Community Washington, D.C. Joslyn is a licensed clinical social worker with previous experience in outpatient oncology and palliative care. Prior to joining CSC DC, Joslyn was an oncology social worker at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, where she provided individual and group psychosocial support and resource navigation to people with breast cancer and their caregivers. Joslyn earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from The George Washington University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Joslyn enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, running, and exploring DC’s vibrant restaurant scene. Joslyn is thrilled to be partnering with the Smith Center as a co-facilitator for the Breast Cancer, Previvor, and Survivorship groups!
This class is in-person. To participate, please register for the first session on November 3rd. If you have any questions, please email olivia@smithcenter.org.
with Sylvia Sturm
Anyone can learn and use Reiki. This gentle hands-on modality utilizes the power of universal life force energy to harmonize the energies of the body. It is a gift anyone can use daily to instill deep relaxation. When deeply relaxed, the body can begin to use its own inner resources to reduce stress and anxiety and to find a sense of inner peace. As the healing power of energy medicine has become more and more recognized, Reiki has become an important contribution to Integrative Medicine. It has been well researched and is used in hospitals and healing settings throughout the world. With a special emphasis on self-treatment, this is a two-part class in the gentle energy balancing modality of Reiki. Students will learn the history of Reiki, identify hand positions for treating self and others, receive attunements to the Reiki energy and practice hands-on sessions. Those attending both classes will receive Reiki 1 certification.
Dates and Time:
· November 3rd – 1 – 4:30pm
· November 17th – 1 – 4:30pm
There is a $150 fee to participate in this 2-part Reiki 1 Class. Participants attending both classes will receive Reiki attunements and a Reiki 1 Certificate.
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.
About Sylvia Sturm
Sylvia Sturm, RM/T, EEM-CLP, heads our Energy Balancing Team. She is a Reiki Master/Teacher and a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Clinical Practitioner. She is also a student of Wu Ming Qigong under the tutelage of Grand Master Nan Lu. In 2019, after having served and taught Reiki at a seniors residence, Sylvia brought the Energy Balancing Team to Smith Center. She has practiced Reiki with the GW Center for Integrative Medicine and, for 6 years, served as a Reiki volunteer at GWU Hospital. Throughout COVID, the Energy Balancing continued to serve the Smith Center community via distance sessions. Sylvia has a private energy medicine practice in Kensington, MD. To learn more about Sylvia and subtle energies, please visit her website www.sylviasturm.com.
