Program Details

What does Christlike mean?

The C.A.R.E. Wellness Center is non-denominational and non-religious retreat in nature because many people of color have suffered trauma directly connected or affected by religion and its alliances with white supremacy, sexism and/or homophobia. Though we embrace and respect that there is an innate desire to connect to “God” and become self-actualized, we also appreciate that every individual experiences “God” in their own unique way. Being “Christlike” is a pursuit of following the steps of great Master Teachers, like The Christ, who led their lives serving purposes larger than themselves. C.A.R.E. is dedicated to serving its community with a safe and inclusive space for healing and individually exploring spiritual tools. 

Why do we encourage Spirituality?

Every human seeks love and belonging, but sometimes that healthy curiosity to seek self-actualization and ascension is severed by trauma or deprivation. When regretful, traumatic experiences rewire our brains, or we are instead focused on maintaining our basic essentials to survive, we follow new pathways that lead us further and further from our calling, from our purpose, or from faith in ourselves and a hope in something greater. Having faith in a higher power or principles larger than ourselves keeps us grounded, inspired, and hopeful. C.A.R.E. does not indoctrinate participants, but only encourages each individual to seek their own personal truths of Spirituality, reconnecting themselves back to their pursuit of Truth via nature and “God”.

What is AgroTourism?

This is a type of tourism and travel experience with a heavy emphasis on agriculture, minimalism, food forestry and sustainability that relies heavily on its partnership with nature and astronomy. We promote the ideology that “less is more” and want to help our community to return its focus back to our essential basic needs. There are enumerable benefits to being in nature, stewarding land, and embracing permaculture: a synergetic partnership with nature and its ecosystems. C.A.R.E. programs incorporate agriculture as a tool of therapy, self-empowerment, and both a gainful and profitable skill of sustainability, teaching herbalism, native planting, and its connection to body and nutrition. Our components of Nature Therapy empower participants to find comfort in nature and safety in traveling internationally. Nature Therapy, also called ecotherapy or green care, is used to help people overcome depression, anxiety, and improve physical disorders through physical fitness.

How do we challenge Racism?

Our American culture has scarred people of color in ways that run deep. Yet we are not given the safe space to recover, or the necessary tools to overcome our generational curses and personal traumas. Instead, we are expected to forget them, to move on, and to ‘get over it’. For anyone who has suffered extensive and multiple traumas compounded over years, and have had their experiences invalidated, denied, and refuted, C.A.R.E. finds it absolutely necessary to provide a safe space for people of color to experience rehabilitation and retreat in nature while equipping themselves with therapeutic tools to rebuild their esteem and inspire their pursuit of self-actualization. As described in Dr. Joy Degruy’s book titled “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome”, people of color have sustained a severe disconnection to nature and their spiritual rituals, causing trauma much reflected like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that ripples outward in a myriad of ways. This mental health challenge shows itself through deep-rooted anger, fractured self-esteem and isolation or community/family detachment. The C.A.R.E. programs uphold these values, facilitating training in nature therapy, self-advocacy and racial socialization for under-served communities.

Program Schedule:

• Summer-Reentry Program, 12 weeks beginning with New Moon in May

• $150K per program, Serving 5-20 participants locally

• Fall Wellness Program, 12 weeks beginning with New Moon in August

• $150K per program, Serving 5-20 participants locally

• Winter Exchange (Abroad) Program I & II, 4 weeks beginning with New Moon in December, and again in January with the same or different cohort (depending on funding)
  $125K per program, Chaperoning 5-10 participants at an agrotouristic destination (ie. wellness center, wellness resort, organic farm, etc.)

Program Benefits:

• Books and materials included

• Trauma-Informed holistic care and healing techniques

• Volunteer/Work experience in gardening/farming and basic yoga instructor training

• Mentorship program for graduates from MDT professionals and 360 Academy

• Referral system to provide additional resources, if/when needed

• Possible stipend for full program participation