On a cool late-May day, staff from the Children and Youth program of Rehab Support Services visited The Uplands for a restorative day retreat. These hard-working caregivers serve families and youth across multiple counties in New York state with therapeutic interventions, crisis stabilization, mental health support, and assistance in dealing with the juvenile justice system. Since their last visit to Uplands, the staff have dealt with vicarious trauma of working directly with families in crisis, an unfortunate but common reality within the field. They came to their day retreat in need of an “exhale”; an opportunity to let go of the burdens of their work and move toward revival and renewal.
The day included a gentle yoga class focused on directing care toward their own bodies, an expressive “resilience rocks” art activity, guided nature walks, and free time. Their delicious farm-to-table lunch featured a nettle-asparagus soup, local chicken salad sandwiches, cole slaw, kale salad, and strawberry rhubarb ice cream cake.
