In November, The Uplands was delighted to host Windcall Institute’s Post-elections Decompression Retreat for community organizers and social movement-builders from the Northeastern US. Windcall supports and sustains labor and community organizers through Residencies and a Staying Power program. They believe that when nonprofit organizations are more life sustaining, imaginative, and visionary, people and social movements will be able to collaborate with greater ease, develop new ideas, broaden participation and be positioned to change the policies and political structures to be more just. Recognizing that organizing takes courage, creativity, commitment and risk, Windcall works to foster creativity, health and resilience as vital to systemic change.

With most of the retreat participants emerging from concerted grassroots campaigns to promote voting and galvanize broader political participation, the retreat was a space for both processing and healing from those efforts, and the overall electoral results. Their self-guided activities included a creative expression playshop and a healing hike, collective reflection around the current political moment, silent meditation and wellness planning. They were accompanied by hearty meals: curries, fried rice, and salads made from winter vegetables and warming soups. The Uplands was pleased to offer a sound bath, yoga class and time in the pool and sauna for this group of committed changemakers and movement-sustainers.

Recognizing the deep alignment between Windcall and The Uplands when it comes to wellness for changemakers, we are looking forward to partnering again with this inspiring group, and offering a mix of strategic and restorative space for frontline organizers.