The leadership and managers of Clinton Hill Community Action held a changemaker retreat during the final week of November. The organization’s mission is to partner with residents to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood, ensure that development is equitable and just, and advocate for what the community needs and deserves.

The retreat combined strategic planning, team building, self-care and renewal. It aimed to strengthen the organization’s culture, refresh the strategic plan and set annual targets, create a professional development plan for staff and community, devise a coordinated communications plan and outreach and engagement strategy and strengthen the organization’s programming.

Throughout the week, the organization’s leadership team carried out focused sessions of work, complemented by several Uplands-led team building offerings: an art project focused on the leaders’ personal “why”, a guided walk, a yoga class, and team building activities including a scavenger hunt, a collaborative art experience, and games. The group enjoyed several sound baths, conversations around the fireplace and a brief adventure into town.

Their retreat concluded with a group mandala ceremony, woven with reflections on their experience and their transition back home.

We celebrate Clinton Hill Community Action and have enjoyed hosting them again, as they prepare to face a new year working to advance positive change in their community.