Are you an activist who struggles to keep going in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds against us?  Would you like to transform some of that struggle into clearer energy going forward? Do you feel alone in your concerns for our future?  REALITY CHANGES EVERYTHING: Active Hope Workshops is a series of events and offerings designed to help us engage more deeply with the near term threats to survival on earth, and the ways anticipated events and changes can and should have a direct influence on the choices we make about our political organizing.

The only way to go forward is in community, working openly.  Talking with each other and giving voice to our fear, despair, and rage can empower us to rise together to face the completely unacceptable truth of this dire circumstance, and to hold each other up as we move forward into truly unique and extraordinary times. 

Hopefully we will begin to preface our thinking about personal and organizational priorities with the question, “Given that there is a 10-12 year window estimated for humans to make changes that may decrease the degree of environmental devastation, how can we, as a creative and loving community, plan now for changes and needs which can be anticipated, as we make choices about our use of resources, time, and personal energy?”

To address these questions, a group of your neighbors will offer two workshop series in conjunction with the ArtRage exhibition Fire & Ice; CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS and ACTIVE HOPE WORKSHOPS.

ACTIVE HOPE WORKSHOPS:  An opportunity to participate in experiential activities based on the work of Joanna Macy. (Those who are interested can check out her books, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy, and Coming Back to Life, or a recent video).  These workshops will provide a space to voice our feelings about the climate crisis through structured and guided group activities, so that we can clear our minds and bolster our courage to take the necessary steps moving forward.  All are welcome to attend any or all of the workshops.  Pre-registration is required at least a week ahead of time. Contact caroleresnick@gmail.com to register or with questions.

Sunday 2/23 –  1 day workshop, 10:30am-5pm, led by Cindy Squillace and Carole Resnick.  Please bring lunch. Sliding scale $10-$50

Sunday 3/8 – Part I of a 2 day workshop*, 11am-5pm, led by Sarah Nahar.  Please bring lunch AND Sunday 3/15 – Part II of the 2 day workshop*, 11am-5pm, led by Sarah Nahar.  Please bring lunch. Sliding scale $20-$100 for the full 2 day workshop.*Please note that people interested in this workshop should register for both 3/8 and 3/15, since it is a single workshop, presented in 2 sessions.

Active Hope Workshop Facilitators:

Sarah Nahar is a nonviolent direct action trainer with a background in environmental justice activism, interspiritual theology, and embodied practice. She is currently pursuing a joint PhD at Syracuse University in Religion and SUNY ESF in Environmental Science.

Cindy Squillace, LMSW, has deep CNY roots as a social justice activist, and grief counselor. She currently coordinates the Witness To Injustice/KAIROS Blanket Exercise project for Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON); is a certified facilitator of The Community Resilience Model (CRM),  and after over 15 years of study with Joanna Macy, facilitates Active Hope/The Work That Reconnects workshops.

Carole Resnick is a psychologist and long time activist in the Syracuse community, who has been inspired and uplifted by her work with Joanna Macy over the last 15 years.