Virtual Race for Healing
Wings 2020 Race for Healing Virtual Video Series
In 2020, we took the Race for Healing virtual due to the pandemic. Our month-long series of healing activities is now available to access at any time. We hope continued access to these recordings will support you in feeling connected to your own inner strength and to others in our community.
You may find that engaging in these sessions more slowly works better for you – and that’s totally okay. Healing is a marathon, not a sprint, so move at your own pace and repeat as many times as you need.
While our activities are created with adult survivors and their loved ones in mind, each activity is beneficial to everyone’s health and well-being. The more time we all give to this issue, the more time CSA survivors can regain in building healthy lives, families, workplaces and communities.
Note: ASL interpretation is included on all recordings except It’s About Movement.
Whether you have 10 minutes or 10 hours – YOU can make a difference for your own resilience and that of the world.
It’s About Time Kick-off
Join us for a conversation with Wings’ Executive Director, Jenny Stith. Learn more about why Wings is championing CSA-SAM, why we launched the Race for Healing six years ago and what’s behind the changes for this year. We’ll discuss the movement to support CSA survivors and what you can expect in months to come, and you’ll gain tips for how to talk about CSA and invite people into this month.
We’ll answer your questions about this month’s activities: “How can I participate in the Race for Healing? How do I set a goal for myself? What counts toward participation?” You’ll learn how to navigate the race platform and explore ideas for healing and self-care on your own time. You may want to bring a journal to take notes and set intentions.
Watch the It’s About Time Kick-off Replay
It’s About Rest, Self-Care & Resilience
Establishing rest, self-care & resiliency practices is essential for engaging in the healing process from CSA trauma. This is also great for creating balance, peace and resilience in daily life, too! Whether you are a survivor, loved one or ally – join Dafnah Meron, LCSW, Wings’ Clinical Supervisor, to learn more about how to make time for these daily and weekly practices. Resilience is a skill we can all learn and use – especially during these times.
Watch the It’s About Rest, Self-Care & Resilience Replay
It’s About Embodiment Part 1
In this series of classes, Alexi Neal from The Neal Center for Counseling and Yoga Therapy will guide you through a Therapeutic and Trauma-Informed Yoga practice, incorporating elements of mindfulness and mind-body psychology. Everyone is welcome to attend! The only supplies needed are a yoga mat or other non-slip surface. You can use household items such as blankets and pillows for additional support.
Throughout the 3 classes, you will deepen your connection to your body, your authenticity, and your power. These sessions focus on Awareness, Acceptance and Choice – 3 foundational tools in the trauma-healing process. You’ll complete the series with tools to ground, heal and connect to yourself, both on and off your yoga mat!
Watch the It’s About Embodiment, Part 1 Replay
Watch the It’s About Embodiment, Part 2 Replay
Watch the It’s About Embodiment, Part 3 Replay
It’s About Nutrition
Trauma has a direct effect on a survivor’s physiology. Because of that, many survivors struggle with mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety, insomnia, substance cravings, poor focus, etc. Yet, our conventional medical system doesn’t generally have much to offer aside from a pill or two. Enter mental health nutrition – the art and science of using nutrition and supplements to balance and stabilize biochemistry and reduce or eliminate mental health symptoms. Join Stephanie Small LCSW, CNE, CMHN for this 90-minute webinar to explore the connection between the Standard American Diet, gut function and mental health—and to learn some simple, highly effective interventions that you can implement in your life immediately to improve your health and well-being.
Watch the It’s About Nutrition Replay
It’s About Healing
Learn how CSA trauma affects the mind/body/spirit connection, the power of healing in adulthood and how to engage in post-traumatic growth. Secrecy is a tool of power used by those who abuse children. Knowledge is a critical guide for CSA survivors to make informed choices about their healing journeys. Join members of the Wings’ clinical team, Jean McAllister, MSW and Dustan DiIorio, LPC, as we shed light on the dynamics of CSA, how it affects individuals across the lifespan and provide insights on how we, as individuals and community members, can acknowledge, heal from, and thrive beyond CSA trauma.
Watch the It’s About Healing Replay
It’s About Movement
Physical exercise and those good-feeling endorphins definitely support the healing process. This is the day that would have been our 5K. We encourage you to get outside, move your body in healthy ways and post photos with these feel-good activities! Choose your own adventure on this day (Walking, Running, Biking, Paddle Boarding, Dancing, etc.). We invite you to share your Victory Checks with us in 1 of 3 ways – on our FB Live broadcast at noon; on social media throughout the day – and/or within the Race platform (if you prefer to be more private)! No registration necessary.
Watch the It’s About Movement Replay
It’s About Health Equity
Exploring the Roots of Power and Intersections of Oppression affecting CSA Survivors
Childhood sexual abuse is a specific form of interpersonal violence affecting the health and well-being of children and adults in every community. It is perpetuated, silenced, ignored and disregarded through intersecting systems of power and oppression which are rightly being called into question during this time. Working to empower the healing and liberation of CSA survivors, then, means our work must be grounded in strong practices of racial, social and gender justice. In 2020 more than ever, we must see the needs of survivors from all communities, beginning with those most marginalized – and work to empower healing for us all.
In partnership with the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Illuminate Colorado.
Watch the It’s About Health Equity Replay
It’s About Support
Being a supportive ally for CSA survivors is so important to their healing process. Learn more about the vital role loved ones and allies play; how to be that supportive friend, family member or ally; and how to respond if someone discloses their history of CSA to you.
Responding with Care & Compassion
It’s About Presence
Most of our stress comes when we are focusing all of our energy on a future problem, a past mistake or something over which we have no control. When we can find our center and feel grounded in our bodies and minds, the stress and held emotional reactions can melt away. Join Nate Ewert for an exploration of mindfulness exercises that will cultivate presence and awareness through grounding and centering. You will be invited to practice these with confidence through simple guidance and discussion, honoring your own process and meeting you wherever you are on your healing journey.
Watch the It’s About Presence Replay
It’s About Standing with CSA Survivors
Join us for a special online celebration and wrap up to our month-long Race for Healing. We’ll look back on the month’s activities, check in on our goals, and most importantly, celebrate the hard work that we have all done together to support CSA survivors to speak, heal and thrive. Plus, we’ll talk about ways you can continue to stand with CSA survivors after the month ends. Together we soar!
Watch the It’s About Standing with CSA Survivors thank you message
Feeling Some Resistance?
If you feel yourself having some resistance to getting started or moving forward with these activities, or if triggers may be coming up for you as part of dedicating time and attention to this issue, don’t worry! This is normal. You’re right where you need to be. When it comes to the topic of CSA, especially if you are someone who is actively healing from this in your past, it is absolutely normal to experience times of resistance, fear, agitation or discomfort. In fact, these triggers likely signal opportunities for additional healing and personal growth. This is part of the resilience building process.
And you are not alone. Hear directly from three survivors, Christie, Nate and Lisa, who participated in the Race for Healing in September 2020. They each share a bit about their own healing journeys and how they navigate emotions like resistance. They also highlight aspects of the Race for Healing that have been useful for them – with a few additional insights and inspirations from each that are unique to their journeys.
Having recently published a book about her own healing journey, Christie tuned in to several live Race for Healing sessions and posted about her Race participation on social media. Learn more about her book and her healing journey through this video and check out her posts @meetcareyjones on Instagram.
Nate is a survivor and healing practitioner on the Race for Healing committee and has helped us shape Race events for several years, including this one! In this video, he shares a bit about his journey and the ways he’s learned to navigate resistance as a practice. He also led our “Its About Presence” session (see above). Check out more about his work here.
Lisa is someone who typically loves the physical aspect of the Race for Healing 5k and had some hesitation to the expanded virtual format this year. She shares the ways her perspective shifted and some of the activities that were pivotal to her healing during the month of September as well as all along her healing journey.