Shoutout to the community that showed up to the Spring 2026 Preventionists Retreat and made it great. The theme, Slow Down, was an encouragement to let go of urgency for a moment to collectively notice joy and take rest. We had about 35 folks in attendance – advocates, mothers, community organizers, and survivors alike and the feedback had a unifying message – when we rest together intentionally, it can feel better than rest in isolation…
Our facilitators Nacala Ayele and Gabby Oglesby were incredibly special contributors to the program, taking us through exercises that help us explore our relationships to joy and movement. Nacala asked us to restore our sense of pleasure, motivating us to be the first beneficiaries of our gifts so that we can pour from a filled cup. This exercise was an exploration in how centering pleasure in our work can be a useful path for unearthing internalized stigma we and our young people receive about our bodies and sensation. Gabby took us through a yoga nidra practice, sharing active practice for us to regulate our nervous systems and mitigate the impacts of vicarious and secondary trauma. So much gratitude for the gifts these two are and bring to our work!
As one participant said, “Resting is easier in community,” … although y’all can’t help, but offer more support. We’re so grateful for your presence, intentional rest, and joy practices that make our work sustainable. Healing within our liberation practices is a non-negotiable for the future of our work!
Keep an eye out for our next Preventionist Retreat in the fall!