Woo hoo, milestones!

[M. Toor]

Beloved classmates!

In June my Title IV-E obligation to the state concludes,  which means I can elect to leave the field of child welfare should I so chose, but I am choosing to stay with this first wave of youth that have been assigned to me. You all pretty much know what the work is like working with intense trauma in the crossbows of legal, medical, educational, mental health and probation systems - systems that converge to prevent and manage the fall out of our collective insanity. I have definitely seen and heard things I never wanted to see or hear - and truthfully, its a alienating profession because I can't talk about it fully to anyone for fear of spreading vicarious trauma. Seasoned workers warned me that it would take five years to learn the basics - others have warned that the demands of the work have cultivated a climate where staff are prone to accidents and diseases so they can slow down to recover.  I burned out once before due to the alarming violence and chaos of a workplace, and I told myself I would take better care of myself and not let it happen again.  

Two years ago, just when I entered the field, my partner Syra started the Dana Cafe - the vision was simple - offer healing arts to the community as a gift.  In the midst of working on dense issues such as complex trauma, effects of long-term foster care and commercial sexual exploitation, it has become especially critical for me to find ways to nourish my spirit. Dana Cafe is one of these ways.  I love the Dana Cafe, the people who have participated, and the anchor of having a place to go monthly to refuel.  I go to the Dana Cafe to take a breath - to connect with people, to play, explore, and to prevent myself from burning out so that I can continue showing up for the people in my life that I am committed to through work and familial ties.  <3

The Dana Cafe has a sustainable model - encourage people to share their knowledge of potentially transformative teachings without monetizing it, and invite participants to support the teachings through financial support in way that are comfortable for them. To mark the two year anniversary, we launched a very modest fundraiser - we seek to raise $500 to help with rent, promotional materials and other minor expenses.  If you are able to help Syra & I achieve this goal, you can make an online donation here:http://www.gofundme.com/danacafe_2years

As an added bonus, everyone who donates will be entered into a drawing - there is a complete list of prizes on the website above that includes gifts like a massage, private yoga lesson, astrological readings, dinner at La Med, dvd's, music, & art -lots of pretty cool stuff - 

I thank you in advance for all of your support! - you are always invited! 

Love, 

Mariam