Shame and White Allyship to People of Color

Guilt and shame are common issues for white people seeking to acknowledge and address racism. White people’s shame about racism often shows up as behaviors that reinforce racist dynamics, including denial, defensiveness, passivity and self-absorption, the calling out of which often serves to deepen shame and limit white people’s receptivity. How can we respond with compassion to this shame without condoning the resulting racist dynamics?

On December 5, Vanissar Tarakali will offer a workshop that brings theory and embodied practice together to explore white people’s automatic, shame-coping behaviors, and offers insights into why certain racist behaviors are so entrenched, even in well-intentioned white people.

This workshop, which draws on over a decade of research into the psychology of how white people unlearn racism, will benefit white allies seeking to strengthen mutual support and compassion for everyone working to transform racism. People of color seeking to interact with white anti-racist allies without caretaking may also benefit from attending. This workshop will help everyone recognize when white racial shame is operating and offer options and antidotes to support white allyship and accountability.

Saturday, December 5, 2009
10am-5pm
First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. in Oakland
Sliding scale: $80-180

Email our registration desk to sign up

November Volunteer Blog Giveaway!!!

November's Prize:
1 Just In Case (the little black condom compact)
+4 condoms, 3 packets of lube
+1 Free Breakfast at La Boulange Cafe & Bakery

Hey SFWARriors!

Email teresamartyny@sfwar.org with answers to these questions to be entered for the November Giveaway raffle! The winner will be chosen on 11/20 at our volunteer team meeting.

Questions regarding http://sfwarvolunteers.blogspot.com/:

1. Please list 2 "important links" that we have available on the right side of the blog at all times.

2. Please list 1 Benefit that someone could go to, and spread the word, in the month of November to help support SFWAR. (hint: use the labels to sort by Benefit)

Fall 2009 HFC Drumming Circle

The event will take place THIS coming Thursday, November 5.
We will share a meal from 5 PM to 6 PM.
At 6 PM we will have our Drumming Circle, led by Dr. Sal Nunes. Sal's groundbreaking work in trauma recovery through the ancient rituals of drumming is exciting to witness and experience.
I've attached a flyer for you to share with others.
Please join us and bring friends! RSVP to this email address if you'd like to join us.
We'll see you on Thursday!
Patrick Barresi
Co-Coordinator, Healing For Change

Trinity A. Ordona, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Healing for Change
healingforchange@yahoo.com
(415) 452-4895

As many as 20 present at gang rape outside school dance

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/27/california.gang.rape.investigation/index.html

Job Announcements

Jamestown Community Center
Soccer Manager

Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Event Media Coordinator
Gallery Assistant
Mission Grafica

Resource: Family Crisis Handbook

How to cope when an adult loved one with a developmental disability experiences mental health or behavioral issues:

http://www.micocosf.org/Mission%20Update/October%2026/FamilyCrisishandbook.pdf

Rape Is a Pre-Existing Condition? The Heartlessness of the Health Insurance Industry Exposed

http://www.alternet.org/story/143426/
"By taking anti-AIDS medicine after a rape, Christina Turner discovered that she had made herself all but uninsurable."

Bay Area Saturday Dialogue for white racial justice activists

You're invited to our next Saturday Dialogue, where we hope to continue the great conversations we've been having. We love seeing folks over and over again, and we love getting new folks involved, too, so please join us for our next event. At our November 21st dialogue we'll be looking at Difficult Conversations in the Work Place.

Kicking off the new year, please add Saturday, January 16, 2010 to your calendar. We'll be hosting a panel discussion of white parents talking about raising their children of color and multi-racial children. This should be an amazing opportunity to hear from these parents about their ongoing lessons, growth and challenges.

WHAT: The Bay Area Saturday Dialogue for white racial justice activists

WHO: You!!!
...and please invite your white friends or family with whom you have had some conversations about race and/or white supremacy and who bring a self-awareness to support a safe but challenging space.

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:00pm to 4:00pm

WHERE: Niebyl Proctor Library [wheelchair accessible] 6501 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609-1113

WHY: Bring our anti-racism work into a collaborative community, Discuss whiteness and our role as white people in the fight against racism, Build awareness and personal skills to support our racial justice work

RSVP to save your spot at SaturdayDialogues@gmail.com.

We appreciate your support of this work and welcome your donations to help sustain our development.

Writing the Body Workshop

Sins Invalid presents our fall workshop: Writing the Body with Elaine Beale A creative writing workshop in which we will use writing to explore our relationship with our bodies, dis/ability, concepts of health and illness, and our experiences of sexuality. Open to writers of all levels of experience. WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 15th, 2009, 1-4 pm WHERE: Modern Times Bookstore 888 Valencia St., at 20th St. [map] San Francisco COST: Free

Wheelchair accessible. Please do not wear scented products to this event, although we cannot guarantee a scent-free environment.

Our workshops are open to anyone who is interested in exploring the intersection and disability and embodiment. Limit: 20 participants. If space becomes limited, we are prioritizing participants who identify as having a disability.

For more information and to enroll, please contact:
info@sinsinvalid.org or call 510-689-7198.

Press Release: Getting Help is a Challenge for Immigrants with Domestic Violence

Mujeres Unidas y Activas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrea Mercado

October 26, 2009 (415) 621-8140 x 301

Getting Help is a Challenge for Immigrants with Domestic Violence

New Report Documents Barriers that Impede Latina Survivors From Accessing Services

WHAT: On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) will release a new bilingual report, “Echoes from the Silence: Raising Our Voices,”that shares the results from a 2008 study conducted by MUA members to understand the experiences of Latina immigrant survivors of domestic violence in the Bay Area, explore the types of domestic violence services currently offered, and evaluate the barriers that impede Latina survivors from accessing these services. The report also offers recommendations on how to improve services for Latina immigrant survivors of family violence.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Office of Mujeres Unidas y Activas

3rd floor of the Women’s Building

3543 18th Street (between Valencia and Guerrero)

San Francisco, CA 94110

www.mujeresunidas.net

Resistance Events

Tuesday, October 27th

Mamaz stand against the abuse and criminalization of our children 10am: City Hall, S.F. (on Polk Between McAlister And Grove) HEAL Group-Healing Addiction (through) Art and Liberation 2pm: POOR Magazine, 2940 16th St., S.F. Po’poets workshop 4pm: POOR Magazine, 2940 16th St., S.F.

Thursday, October 29th

A public celebration of the life of Gina Hotta 5-7pm: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. 2nd floor, Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Oakland

Thursday, November 5th

Lifetimes 10th Anniversary featuring Barbara Lee 1:30pm: Historic Rotunde Building, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland This first year, we’ll be honoring Congress woman Barbara Lee for earning her BA from Mills College as a single mother on welfare, and for her leadership in Congress on the issues that our families and communities care about! For more info: Earp Events @ 510/839-3100/events@earpevents.com Call to buy TX or purchase an ad in solidarity.

Wednesday, November 11th

Los Viajes Book Realese 6pm: Galleria De la Raza , 28 24th St., S.F. (near Bryant) Thanks-Taking Music/Story Circle & Benefit

Thursday, November 12th

POCC Chairman Fred and the welfareQueens 6:30pm: POOR Magazine, 2940 16th St., S.F. (at Capp) You can kill a revolutionary-but you can't kill the Revolution

They're going to Disneyland!

We were given a surprise and rare opportunity to show gratitude to two volunteers with tickets for two to Disneyland! We honored Liliana P and Helen W. Both volunteers have stepped up well beyond our expectations as volunteers and have contributed quite significantly to SFWAR and survivors of sexual assault. We are truly grateful to have this opportunity to thank them in a big way!

We hope you'll join us in congratulating them and sending lots of love their way!

Job Announcement: CUAV Development Coordinator

Click here to see the Word Document with the job description.

Nayla Wins the October Give Away!!!

Congratulations Nayla!

You have won:
1 SFWAR Walk Against Rape t-shirt designed by Nopal
+ Free appetizer at Asqew Grill with the purchase of a skewer meal.

Thanks everyone for participating!

Stay tuned for November's Give Away!

Happy Anniversary!!!

We wanted to say happy anniversary to some folks!!

Ashley T, Jenna R, LJ C, Natalie H, Natalie S, Nayla R, Pia C, Raquel M, Talia H and Zully B have been with SFWAR for 1 year in November!!!! You are all truly amazing! Congratulations on completing your commitment to SFWAR!!! We hope that you'll continue on for another year with us and we look forward to seeing how our relationship shifts and grows as a community!

Ellen F, Khara M and Lucia J have been with us for 3 years in November!!!!! Wow, it's been so beautiful to be in community with you and to see all of the amazing ways you have supported survivors over the years!

Ilahi E has been with SFWAR for 4 years in November! So much wisdom and love has come to SFWAR and survivors through Ilahi's support group and other services over the years! We are deeply grateful to you Ilahi!!! Much love.

Le Chill du Nord: SF's finest Downtempo Music, Art & Fashion

Start Time:	Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 8:00pm
End Time:	Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 2:00am
Location:	Cafe Du Nord
Street:	2174 Market St
City/Town:	San Francisco, CA

The Beat Box Armada & Cafe du Nord present The Chill du Nord: Grab a drink and come cruise the legendary Victorian venue on this autumnal Tuesday night. Loungey female vocalists will serenade you whilst you absorb the work of beautiful fashionistas and original artists. Between the sets, listen to some banging right-on performance pieces.

All on one night!
All for a fantastic cause!

Featuring some of SF's finest chill downtempo music acts:

- MICROPIXIE
- UNDER
- DIVASONIC
- MIA CALDERON

Chill beats & grooves before and after the sets will be provided by BELOW ZERO. Special Yoni Ki Baat performances by SOUTH ASIAN SISTERS, Anjali Verma and Anjali Kamat. Art by NICOLETTE NIGRO and LARK CALDERON-GOMEZ. Fashion experiences by THE MISSION STATEMENT, SZOENYI, and ITPAPALOTL. MC'd by Writer and Conscious Fashionista, NAYOMI MUNAWEERA. Proceeds of all art, merch, and 100% of door sales go to SF WAR, Rape & Human-Trafficking awareness. 21+

She Who Laughs Lasts!!!

While rape is not a laughing matter, we believe that humor is a powerful tool to help unify and heal individuals and communities. Join us for a lighthearted evening of comedy that brings together performers and audience members committed to ending sexual violence!

Sunday, November 15th
6pm Reception, 6:30pm Show
Get Tickets at www.sfwar.org
Victoria Theater
2961-16th Street (@ Capp St)
San Francisco, CA 9110

Tickets: $15-50 sliding scale
No one turned away for lack of funds
All proceeds benefit SFWAR's services supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Reception:
Come early for pizza, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages!

Come ready for the raffle! One ticket for $3 or two for $5
Prizes include:
Five-class Pass for Belly Dancing Lessons
Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine of India- Cooking Classes
Pilates Lesson

Featuring!!

Sia Amma is out of Africa. She is a stand-up comedian, writer, dancer, and actress who is best known as Africa's most outrageous, hysterical, and inspiring comedienne. She is well known for making fun of African and American cultures, relationships, life experiences, sexuality and, of course, herself. She has given presentations that combine humor and celebration that are refreshing, honest, and very informative about the issue of female circumcision, and she has drawn great reviews at major colleges, universities, and around the country. Sia Amma performs her stand-up comedy material three times a week at Our Little Comedy Club in San Francisco. Her newest presentation for mothers and daughters is called "What Mama Said About 'Down There'."

Brooklyn-based comedian, actress and educator, Micia Mosely is a founding artist with Nursha Project; a group committed to supporting artists and projects rooted in socio-political offerings. Since earning her Ph.D. in education from U.C. Berkeley, Micia has shared her comedic performance in cities all over the United States including, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Washington D.C. and Honolulu. In 2009, her one woman show "Where My Girls At?" was nominated for a New York Innovative Theater Award for best solo performance.

Native San Franciscan Ali Wong is a local legend. SF Weekly selected her as the "Best Comedian of 2009" and the SF Bay Guardian awarded her a "Best of the Bay" title. In March 2009, she moved to NYC and will be producing a one-day music festival in LA, summer of 2010.

Kristina Wong is a nationally presented solo performer, writer, actor, educator, culture jammer, and filmmaker. Described by the East Bay Express as "brutal but hilarious... a woman who takes life's absurdities very seriously," her body of performance work includes short and full-length solo performance works, outrageous street theater stunts and pranks, subversive internet installations, and plays and sketch comedy. She was awarded the Creative Capital Award in Theater and a Creation Fund from the National Performance Network to create her third full-length solo show, "Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" exploring the remarkably high incidence of suicide among Asian American women in a world that's more nuts than we are. She is a freelance contributor to anthologies and magazines like Playgirl Magazine.

Rape Victim's Choice: Risk AIDS or Health Insurance?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/insurance-companies-rape-_n_328708.html

Check Out the Volunteer Quilt!

Hi all,

Just a love note to encourage folks who come by the office to peak into the far back room and enjoy the volunteer quilt. It's really growing a lot and is incredible and inspiring!

We really appreciate you!

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Symposium

Saturday, October 24th at The Women's Building

Auditorium, Room A, and Room B | 8:30am-3:30pm | Free

The District Attorney's Office, in conjunction with CYC, La Casa De las Madres, API Legal Outreach, SF WAR, and Youth Justice Institute, are holding a

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Symposium

This symposium will be aimed at educating high school students in San Francisco about the issue of teen dating violence and healthy and unhealthy relationships. The goals of this symposium are to talk to youth about teen dating violence and what constitutes a healthy and unhealthy relationship; to assess the interest of the youth involved in participating in peer educator training programs in their communities; and to develop an alliance among community based organizations to train high school students as peer educators on this subject. We are also working with the school district to create a way for these youth to educate their peers on healthy dating behavior.

Ex-sex crimes prosecutor indicted in rape case

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/19/BAOK1A7SS7.DTL&tsp=1

Job Announcements

Mission Neighborhood Health Center
Assistant Clinic Coordinator
Bilingual Case Manager

Arriba Juntos
Employment Specialist

Mission Neighborhood Centers - Mission Girls
After School Program Coordinator
Supportive Services Staff
Young Queens Case Manager

Family Service Agency - Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program
Vocational Counselor

October Volunteer Blog Giveaway!!!

Hey SFWARriors!

Email teresamartyny@sfwar.org with answers to these questions to be entered for the October Giveaway raffle! The winner will be chosen on 10/23 at our volunteer team meeting.

This month we're giving away:
1 SFWAR Walk Against Rape t-shirt designed by Nopal
+ Free appetizer at Asqew Grill with the purchase of a skewer meal.

Questions regarding http://sfwarvolunteers.blogspot.com/:

1. Please list 4 useful "Labels" you have used to find information in the blog.

2. What are 2 upcoming events listed in the blog that you could attend for continuing education in addition to Counselor Support Meetings that happen once a month?

3. What is one self care tip from October that is posted in the blog that has inspired you?

4. How do you plan to check the blog weekly so that you can stay up to date on SFWAR and events happening in the bay area?

Ritual Abuse: Wokshops & Webinars

http://www.survivorship.org/events.html

Workshop: Writing Ourselves Whole

Webinars:
Empowerment and Managing the Effects of Programming.
The Benefits of Developing Co-Consciousness Early in the Healing Process.
Understanding Nazi Influence in Ritual Abuse.

1 in 3 Women in the Military are Raped: Sgt. Sandra Lee Speaks Out

http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/10/1_in_3_women_in_the_military_a.html

Traditional Chinese Medicine to Assist in Healing from Trauma

Traditional Chinese Medical Secrets of Health and Longevity
Friday, October 23, 6:00-7:00pm at The Sacred Well
536 Grand Ave. Oakland, CA 94610
Talk is FREE, but please RSVP to 510-444-WELL

Also upcoming is a talk/workshop about why and how acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be a very effective way to address the effects of trauma on our bodies. Those of you who have known me for a while know that I have worked with trauma survivors for years, and that a quest for modes of deeper healing eventually led me to the study of TCM. This talk/ workshop is targeted towards survivors, but everyone is welcome to participate. After a grounding exercise led by Rev. Ordona, I will give a brief talk, followed by an acupuncture-enhanced guided meditation session. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive on-site acupuncture treatments afterward (workshop fees can be applied towards treatment cost).

Traditional Chinese Medicine to Assist in Healing from Trauma
Saturday, December 5, 9:30 am – noon (acupuncture sessions offered until 4 pm) Hosted by Rev. Trinity A. Ordona, PhD in San Francisco
Cost: $20 RSVP
(class size is limited!): tordonahealing@yahoo.com, (415) 626-6441


Hope to see you at some of these upcoming events, Prajna Paramita Choudhury, L.Ac., Dipl.O.M.
Perfect Wisdom Acupuncture and Herbs -because the wisdom of the body is perfect-

510-832-2605
perfect.wisdom.medicine@gmail.com
www.perfect-wisdom-acupuncture-and-herbs.com

Sus Finanzas y su Salud Mental

Como mantener el balance
Viernes 30 de Octubre de 10:00am-11:30am
El Centro Buen Samaritano
1294 Potrero Ave, San Francisco
Para mas información llame al 415-401-4251
Cuidado para niños de 1-4½, cupo limitado
~Gratis~

Natural strategies to get quality sleep quickly

Natural strategies to get quality sleep quickly

We all know that great sleep is super important to our health & getting restorative sleep will ward off lots of things besides the flu but we may have trouble getting to sleep and/or staying asleep.

Lack of sleep: is associated with poor memory and learning, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other illnesses made possible by a suppressed immune system.

Great sleep: reduces stress & inflammation, strengthens adrenals & immunity, bolsters memory, recharges the nervous system & keeps you alert & full of energy.


On tues night oct 20th sandy der, certified nutrition consultant will give you the latest information on sleep and how to improve yours

Please join us!!


$5 SUGGESTED DONATION
If you'd like to attend please call 415.407.9851
or R.S.V.P. anne@expandingqi.com

Tuesday Evening 10/20/09 from 7-8:30pm
Expanding Qi Health Center
1796 18th Street Suite B
Potrero Hill Neighborhood

Happy Birthday October Volunteers!

We want to send out lots of love to our volunteers who have October birthdays!!!
Jen S, Valerie N, Oneida R, Liliana P, Keiko K, Delia A, Norma M, Nina J, Tabitha S, Lucia J, Shai BD....

Come on by the office and we'll give you a little birthday treat!

big love,
T & E

Court rules that KBR employee’s gang rape wasn’t a personal injury ‘arising in the workplace.’

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/16/jones-sue-kbr/

Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead

Can't remember the last time you went to a counselor support meeting?

Well, even if you can...you are more than welcomed to join us on Monday October 19th @ 6-8 as we prepare for Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead. This counselor support meeting will start 30min earlier and you are invited to bring a friend too (only for the crafting part)! We will be working on creating a community altar to put on display. This will be a great opportunity to do some self care via art therapy! So start thinking of a loved one in your life that has passed that you would like to honor (doesn't necessarily need to be a survivor), or just come and join the crafty fun....seriously, it will be fun stuff.

Please RSVP as soon as possible (by early Wednesday 10/14), I need a count of how many people to expect so that we can have enough supplies .

If you want to learn more about Day of the Dead check out these sites:
http://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Please RSVP today! (It's going to be so much fun!)
evelyngarcia@sfwar.org

Survivors of Extreme Abuse: The Awful Rowing Toward Social Emancipation

http://akaunk.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/survivors-of-extreme-abuse-the-awful-rowing-toward-social-emancipation/

Another World is Possible: Visionary Politics

~Please do not forward: SFWAR volunteers may let them know you were invited by Teresa Martyny~

Sunday October 18th

3-5 pm at the Humanist Hall

390 27^th Street, Oakland between Telegraph and Broadway.

We hope you can join us for this panel discussion with Rachel Herzing from Critical Resistance and Creative Interventions, Michelle Mascarenhas-Swan from Movement Generation Justice & Ecology Project, Sara Kershnar from the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and Chela Delgado from INCITE: Women of Color Against Violence. The panelists will be discussing visionary politics for our movements based in the work of their organizations.

Visionary politics are political frames that invite us to imagine and create a world organized and operated by values of justice, cooperation, and liberation. This panel will focus on ways that social justice organizations balance addressing the urgency of organizing against oppressive forces and their immediate impacts on people's lives with building sustainable alternative institutions and practices in line with their alternative visions for the world. Panelists will also discuss ways that their organizations balance fighting for concrete wins and advances in the world with transforming the process and culture of how that organizing happens.

The Anne Braden Program is a four-month intensive anti-racist organizing training for white social justice activists. The program combines workshops, mentorship, and volunteer placements at local racial and economic justice organizations, in an effort to develop white anti-racist leadership to build support for racial justice in white communities and help build powerful multiracial movements for collective liberation.

Open sessions of the Anne Braden Program provide an opportunity for participants to invite friends and family to join them in their learning process. While the Anne Braden Program is designed for white social justice activists, the open sessions welcome guests of all backgrounds. The open sessions are an opportunity for Anne Braden Program mentors, site supervisors, volunteers and allies to participate in the program. These sessions are a space for us to come together and learn as a larger community.

Following the panel, all guests are welcome to continue the conversation with Catalyst volunteer facilitators at a Guest Discussion space from 5-7pm. We will help coordinate car pooling to get to the location. Food will be provided.

Due to space restrictions we have to limit the number of people we can invite. Please feel free to invite a few people you'd like to bring, but please don't forward this out widely. If you would like childcare or ASL please let us know by Tuesday October 13th.

If you plan to attend this open session, please RSVP to Chris Crass at chris@collectiveliberation.org.

Job: Horizons Unlimited DJ Project Coordinator

The DJ Project (www.thedjproject.com) is a youth development program built on a hip-hop foundation. It uses music to engage youth and young adults, giving them opportunities to develop in a context familiar to them. DJ Project participants are a collective of critical thinkers, electronic musicians, community-builders, budding marketing professionals, designers and trendsetters.

This position is responsible for coordinating the daily operations of the after-school and summer DJ Project employment modules. The DJ Project Employment Coordinator will work with ten youth employees on the production of various “branded” DJ Project special events (hip-hop hoops tournaments, music conferences, emcee competitions, high school tours, etc.). This process is intended to facilitate the youth learning critical business and administrative skills in an applied entrepreneurship context.

For more info:

Application Process: Mail, fax or email a cover letter and resume to Celina Lucero, Director of Employment and Entrepreneurial Programs (celinalucero@hotmail.com), fax: (415) 487-6724, mail: 440 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110.

Flipping the Script on Poverty

http://colorlines.com/article.php?ID=614
http://www.poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&story=1750

"The Bay Area-based welfareQueens, a project of the POOR News Network, are fighting back against a system that dehumanizes poor mothers—with poetry, theater, and any other media tool they can access."

Check it out!

Grief Ritual: A Daylong Workshop for People of Color

Grief Ritual: A Daylong Workshop for People of Color
Sunday, November 1, 2009
with Sobonfu Somé, Spring Washam

Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009
Time: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Cost $25 - $55, sliding scale, plus a donation to the teacher(s)
Location: Community Meditation Hall

This daylong for People of Color is a transformational and soul-invigorating workshop designed to break through our cultural barriers of grief. There is a need to periodically feel and express grief in order to purge the soul from hurts and pains. The interdiction and suppression of emotion in general, and grief in particular, has recently been linked to the general sense of spiritual drought, emotional confusion and certain illnesses we experience in our life. To begin to regain a serious and lasting sense of connectedness with ourselves and with spirit, we need to find a proper place to release our grief -- grief about all the losses we have endured in this lifetime, the loss of loved ones, the loss of our dreams and the loss of our connection with our ancestors.

In the traditional world of the Dagara of Burkina Faso West Africa, the ritual of grief, conducted almost daily in different parts of the tribe, is the Dagara people's way of releasing the tension caused by loss, and to restore continuity in their relationships. We will enter into the ritual space of grief following the traditional model of the Dagara. It is our hope that it brings a deep sense of release, peace and connectedness in your life.

Buy Jamba Juice to Support TWB

MAKE A PURCHASE AT JAMBA JUICE ANY SATURDAY IN OCTOBER AND HELP SUPPORT

THE WOMEN'S BUILDING

The Upper Market/Castro location of Jamba Juice (2020 Market St next to the Safeway) has partnered with The Women's Building and will donate 20% of every purchase that is made on any Saturday in October when you ask your cashier to donate 20% of your purchase to TWB. It costs you nothing and your purchase will help support the programs that have been helping under served women and their families in this community and throughout San Francisco for the past 30 years.

So, make a purchase and ask them to donate 20%!

R.I.P Gina Hotta

http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/10/rip_gina_hotta.html

We lost another extraordinary Asian American community leader this past Monday. Gina Hotta passed away of a heart attack Monday night.
An Asian American activist raised in the Bay Area, she was fighting up until the UC walk-outs last week. She is probably best known for her work on Apex Express. Every week or so, awaiting in my email inbox, would be a thoughtful subject line ranging from human trafficking to tabla musicians. She brought together so many different issues and people into a one hour radio show. To me, she represented the type of woman I aspire to become—a life filled with dope music, loving people and political savvy. Her voice will truly be missed.
This has been a sad year filled with many losses—Gina Hotta, Ron Takaki, Al Robles and others. Let’s remember and honor them all, and continue fighting with their spirits.

Self Care Tip: Fall Yoga at SFWAR starting 10/5!

Starting 10/5 on Mondays and Fridays we're going to have free yoga in the atrium over here in the Women's Building. Please bring your own towel or mat. It's for SFWAR staff and volunteers and we're inviting other orgs on the floor to join too. It'll be lunchtime yoga between 12-1ish. So start and end your week with us over here doing some yoga! Flyer.

Resource: Organizing Upgrade

http://www.organizingupgrade.com/
"Organizing Upgrade is an attempt to engage left leaders and innovators in the field of community organizing in a strategic dialogue. We hope that this project can bring the kind of inspiration, vision and strategic clarity we need to strengthen our political impact, both in our immediate fight and in our longer-term efforts to build the social justice movement and to revitalize a movement-rooted left in the United States. We hope that, by encouraging some of the leading innovators and leaders from the sphere of community organizing to put pen to paper and to speak their mind, we can develop unity and clarity about the key demands on left organizers in these times."