COMING SOON:   EXPANSION OF SUPPORT GROUPS

During the summer of 2021, we recruited eight Weekend of Recovery Alumni and prepared them to be Peer Leaders to co-facilitate our new online Support Groups. Four WOR Alumni Support Groups were launched in the fall. The eight month sixteen-session series of groups have been a tremendous success and will conclude at the end of April.

Stayed tuned for up-coming announcements from MenHealing about openings for a new series of WOR Alumni Support Groups. In addition, we are planning to launch a new shorter series of Support Groups that will expand access for any male survivor who is seeking a support group with on-line access.

FEEDBACK REQUESTED FROM NEWSLETTER READERS

We are increasing our efforts to reach new audiences to alert them about resources available from MenHealing. Therefore, we are searching for Conferences, Events, and Organizational Newsletters/List Servs that provide opportunities for placement of simple visual ads.   We welcome feedback from YOU with suggestions and information for any contacts we might research.  Submit your input to Trisha Massa, MenHealing Outreach Coordinator:  trishamassa@weekendsofrecovery.org

Thanks in advance for your help to expand our outreach to underserved survivors.

FACILITATOR TEAM AND BOARD CONDUCT MID-WINTER RETREATS

Both Facilitator Team and Board have added mid-winter retreats to their schedule. This allows each group to conduct two yearly working sessions for more in-depth growth and development. The Facilitator Team met in early February with a focus on deepening connection, community, and collaboration.

The Board is scheduled to meet in early April. The Board will focus on how the Board can prepare for MenHealing’s growth, and our commitment to holding the organization’s values in our structure as we grow.

Both Facilitators and Board will meet again in August for their annual summer retreats. We are grateful to all members of the Facilitator Team and Board for their commitment to do the work required for maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships and for holding ourselves accountable to congruence between our core values and the reality of our real-life organizational work.

TWO OPTIONS FOR WAYS TO SUPPORT MENHEALING

85% of our current financial resources are received from grassroots supporters like YOU. Please consider two simple ways that you can join our growing community of donors – or that you can increase the value of your support.

• Consider becoming a recurring donor – any amount of contribution you can afford is valuable
• Please check here to see if your employer offers matching gifts. If not, consider asking them to institute a matching program.

For more information about these options, please contact our finance manager.

One example of how YOUR grassroots financial support will help male survivors to heal: beginning with 2022 events, we have implemented a new financial structure for registration that allows participants to “pay what you can afford”… read more

2022 HEALING EVENTS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for several healing events that are scheduled for the first six months of 2022:

Whidbey Institute Level 1 Weekend of Recovery
(near Seattle, WA):  June 6/3 – 6/5/22

Day of Connection (virtual online access): 3/5/22

YOU CAN BE AN OUTREACH AMBASSADOR

We have launched a new event for 2022 & we need YOUR help to reach more male survivors. Our first DAY OF CONNECTION will be conducted on March 5, 2022.

If you are active on social media or if you work for an agency, please consider forwarding information to followers in your network. Registration is now open. Your participation in expanding our outreach will help us to reach more male survivors. THANK YOU in advance for YOUR help.

WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBERS

For those of you who may have missed our December 29^th Newsletter due to the Holidays, we want to be sure YOU are aware of this very exciting update: We have three new dynamic Board members.

With the addition of these new members, the MenHealing Board has now grown to ten committed individuals.  Read more about each of these beautiful individuals.

INSTAGRAM LIVE SERIES NOW ARCHIVED – JUST HEALING PODCAST COMING SOON!

Each of the twelve segments from our recent IG Live series – Expanding Men’s Healing From Sexual Victimization – is now accessible upon demand at the MenHealing website and at our YouTube Channel.

Stay tuned for future announcements about plans to grow beyond this IGLive series to launch a new MenHealing podcast series:  JUST HEALING, with Richard Smith as host.

We are appreciative of the encouragement, enthusiasm, volunteerism, and financial gifts from loyal grassroots supporters like YOU. 85% of our operating budget is received from individual donors.  YOUR active support allows us to maintain services for male survivors and allies.

Remember, YOU can forward this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think might be interested. Thanks for spreading the word!

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

Jim Struve

Executive Director, MenHealing/Weekend of Recovery

Snapshot of the dynamic schedule of events we have planned for 2022

Other Special Events Already Planned for 2022

We are so appreciative of the encouragement, enthusiasm, volunteerism, and financial gifts from loyal supporters such as YOU. Active grassroots support allows us to expand our services in 2022 so we can reach even more male survivors and allies.

COMING SOON

We are currently working on our 2021 Annual Report to highlight the many lives we have touched in the last year.

$90K IN 90 DAYS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to our end of 2021 Funding Campaign. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU.  It’s not too late to contribute. Any donations received thru January 15^th will be counted towards the 90/90 Campaign.  We will announce a final tally within the coming weeks.

Remember, YOU can make a difference for male survivors by forwarding this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think would benefit.  Thanks for spreading the word!

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

THANK YOU!

Because of your generosity, we surpassed our $10,000 Giving Tuesday donation goal! We are so grateful for all the supporters who showed up for male survivors today! Now, we challenge you to continue this momentum with the opportunity to help us surpass our $90,000 goal before the end of the year!

NEW “WEEKENDS OF RECOVERY 20^th ANNIVERSARY” VIDEO

We premiered our newest video last night at the Giving Tuesday Live Event. This retrospective thirty-minute “20^th ANNIVERSARY” video features four WOR Alumni and four Facilitators – giving voice to the variety of experiences that have emerged since the first WOR was conducted in September 2001 thru our 90^th WOR that was just conducted in November 2021. This video will be archived on our website and our YouTube Channel.

This video is also available with Spanish subtitles

ANNOUNCING OUR 2022 EVENT SCHEDULE

Dates, locations, and other basic information about our 2022 events is now available on our website! We have scheduled a mixture of in-person events as well as continuing a number of virtual events with online accessibility.

Here is a brief summary of our revised registration pricing policy for 2022:

MenHealing is committed to equity of financial accessibility for Weekends of Recovery (WOR). We believe that healing should not be impeded by economic limitations. We want everyone to be assured access regardless of financial resources. Registration fees cover the actual costs for conducting a WOR and are not to generate a profit. The fees are inclusive of lodging (two nights), food (seven meals), and program services. In congruence with our financial philosophy, we expect those who can afford to pay the entire actual price for a WOR to do so. However, we will now allow registrants for double or triple occupancy rooms who are unable to pay the entire cost to submit payment for an amount that better reflects their budget.  We will require a minimum payment of 10% of the actual cost. 

MIXED-MEDIA ART WORKSHOPS: ART FOR FUN AND CONNECTION 

Create, express and connect in our mixed-media art workshops that focus on personal expression, connection with others, and pure enjoyment! During the workshops, you will create art objects using a wide variety of art materials. Explore mixed-media art as a tool to increase self-awareness, manage stress, promote: mindfulness, empowerment and healing.  No artistic talent or experience is required.

Margaret Hunter (WOR Facilitator) will be hosting a series of three virtual ninety-minute Mixed-Media Art Workshops. The online series will be offered three different times, each series conducted on the last three Sunday evenings of January, February, and March. Art materials will be provided in advance of sessions. Registration will be FREE – with donations welcomed from participants. Registration is now open for all three series.

We are very grateful to each of YOU who have already donated to our Campaign to raise $90,000 in the final 90 days of 2021. Please consider whether YOU can join us in reaching our goal by making a donation of any amount during these final 30 days in December. And, please help us to reach other potential donors by your personal outreach to family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

MenHealing is able to manage our activities because of deeply committed individuals such as YOU. We invite YOU to help sustain our work by making a donation of any amount. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU. A GIFT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATES TO MALE SURVIVORS THAT “YOUR STORY MATTERS.”

Remember, YOU can make a difference for male survivors by forwarding this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think would benefit.    Thanks for spreading the word!

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

NEW “VOICES OF HEALING” VIDEO

The newest video in our “Voices of Healing” series features “TRISTEN.”

Tristen’s compelling story gives voice to the intersectionalities of nonbinary gender identity, adult sexual victimization, disability justice, and the power of social activism.

Special thanks to the RUBY STRUVE FUND for financial support to produce “Tristen’s Story.”

This video is available with English and Spanish subtitles.

YOU CAN ALSO BE A PRODUCER FOR A MENHEALING VIDEO

YOUR DONATION to MenHealing can be designated for our video projects – or contact us for more information if you would like to be a PRODUCER for one of our videos

NOVEMBER 20^th IS TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

In recognition of this important day, we have posted the Simone Ferro Dance Collective video that was produced for the MenHealing Live Launch on 10/3/21. This dynamic stand-alone video is now accessible to view here.

Trans and nonbinary men, like cisgender men, often have difficulties finding support to heal from sexual trauma. DID YOU KNOW…

• 66% or more of the transgender population has experienced sexual victimization, many times more than once in their lifetime
• transgender men and trans-masculine individuals experience higher rates of sexual victimization than their counterparts of trans women and trans-feminine people

Trans men are welcome at all MenHealing events.

We acknowledge that trans men are men.

As we continue to expand our healing resources, MenHealing will collaborate MenHealing will collaborate with FORGE to conduct a Day of Connection for Trans and Nonbinary Survivors on June 18, 2022. More information soon.

MENHEALING BLOG UPDATE

“Beyond Survival: Still We Rise”, the MenHealing blog is a space for you to share… 

If you have a story to tell, our blog editor, Mike Davis, is available to help you tell it. Contact him at mike@menhealing.org . You can publish anonymously if so desired. 

New posts are published weekly.  Your voice matters!

“Opera Tells a Powerful Story” is one of the new Blog Posts, co-authored by Joanna Colrain, MenHealing Board Chair and Jim Struve, MenHealing Executive Director.

…Story has been historically expressed through dance, music, visual art, the spoken word, written manuscripts – and opera … So it is with “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” the inaugural production by the New York Metropolitan Opera’s 2021-22 season. This performance was ground-breaking as the first time in the Met’s 138-year history that they have presented an opera by a Black composer with an all-Black cast of performers, expressing the compelling story of a male survivor of sexual victimization. … Read More

SAVE THE DATE – GIVING TUESDAY

MenHealing is planning an exciting Live Event for Giving Tuesday that will focus on the 20^th Anniversary of the Weekends of Recovery program. We will screen a new video that features four WOR Alumni and four Facilitators who span the 20 years, followed by an in-person discussion amongst the eight individuals featured in the video.  This 60-minute program will be available for free access on Tuesday, 11/30 (9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. PT). Watch your in-box for more information and a link to register.

90th WEEKEND OF RECOVERY A SUCCESS!

Not only is 2021 the 20^th Anniversary of the WOR program, but we also conducted our 90^th WOR the weekend of 11/5 – 11/7/21. YOUR DONATION can help to ensure the continued success of our flagship WOR/DOR events, as well as all the exciting ways we are expanding our outreach. Stay tuned for information about our 2022 events schedule that will be announced soon. 

We are very grateful to each of YOU who have already donated to our campaign to raise $90,000 in the final 90 days of 2021. Through the first 45 days of the campaign, we have received almost $30,000 in donations. Please consider whether YOU can join us in reaching our goal by making a donation of any amount. DONATE TODAY.

MenHealing is able to manage our activities because of deeply committed individuals such as YOU. We invite YOU to help sustain our work by making a donation of any amount. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU.

A GIFT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATES TO MALE SURVIVORS THAT “YOUR STORY MATTERS.”

Remember, YOU can make a difference for male survivors by forwarding this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think would benefit and/or sharing on your Facebook page.  Thanks for spreading the word! 

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

DYNAMIC CONFERENCE ABOUT MALE SURVIVORS

As conditions improve with COVID safety protocols, representatives from MenHealing are now available as presenters for in-person conferences.

Greg Holtmeyer (WOR Alumnus) is a founding member – in 2018 - of the “Show Me A Helping Hand” Conference at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.

In addition to Greg, the 2021 Conference will include Jim Struve (MenHealing Executive Director) and Drew Wiggins (WOR Alumni and active MenHealing volunteer). Jim’s presentation will be “Social Justice: A Critical 3rd Rail of Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed Care” and Drew’s presentation will be “From Victim to Empowered Survivor: One Man’s Journey of Healing & the Stories of Healing from Other Survivors.”

Conference registration has been expanded to include virtual access via Zoom. Information about the conference and registration is available here.

TRANS/NONBINARY SPEAK OUT UPDATE

We have extended the deadline to accept submissions for the Trans/Nonbinary Survivors SPEAK OUTproject until October 31^st.  For more information about this innovative project or for us to receive your submission, please check here.

This SPEAK OUT project is a collaboration between MenHealing and FORGE.

90^th WEEKEND OF RECOVERY TO BE CONDUCTED NEXT WEEK!

We will be closing out our 20th year of the Weekend of Recovery program this November 5^th – 7^th with the final WOR of 2021. We are proud to be hosting this landmark 90^th WOR virtually via Zoom.

We welcome financial donations from supporters like YOU in honor of this WOR milestone.  A yearlong recurring donation of $25/month from three supporters or $10/month from eight supporters will pay the entire cost for one male survivor to attend a WOR in 2022.

90/90 FUNDING CAMPAIGN UPDATE

We are very grateful to each of YOU who have already donated to our campaign to raise $90,000 in the final 90 days of 2021. Through the first 21 days of the campaign, we have received almost $22,000 in donations!

Please consider whether YOU can join us in reaching our goal by making a donation of any amount today!

An anonymous donor has made a generous $250/quarterly recurring donation and is challenging others to match this donation.  We welcome any supporters who may be able to match this recurring donation.  

MenHealing is able to manage our activities because of deeply committed individuals such as YOU. We invite YOU to help sustain our work by making a donation of any amount. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU. 

A GIFT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATES
TO MALE SURVIVORS THAT

“YOUR STORY MATTERS.”

Remember, YOU can make a difference for male survivors by forwarding this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think would benefit.    Thanks for spreading the word! 

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

FOLLOW US ON

CELEBRATING A WEEKEND OF RECOVERY MILESTONE!

This November, MenHealing will be conducting our 90th Weekend of Recovery! We are proud to be celebrating 20 years of the WOR program this year! This 90^th WOR will be our last for 2021 and conducted virtually.

Registration closes at the end of the day on October 22. A limited number of spaces remain available.

We welcome financial donations from supporters like YOU in honor of this WOR milestone. 

A yearlong recurring donation of $25/month from three supporters or $10/month from eight supporters will pay the entire cost for one male survivor to attend a WOR in 2022.

EXPANSION OF THE MENHEALING BLOG

As we continue to expand our outreach, be sure to check out our Beyond Survival: Still We Rise blog on our website. There you will find interviews, stories, songs, and poems from male survivors in the MenHealing community. Watch each week for a new post.

This week will feature a song recommended by a survivor as a part of the "Healing Music" series. The following week will include the second installment in the "Kevin's Journey" series, monthly reflections on the healing journey by Kevin Flood.

If you have something you'd like to share please email Mike Davis at mike@menhealing.org 

Access the blog by clicking here.

TRANS/NONBINARY SURVIVORS SPEAK OUT UPDATE

Reminder that we are seeking submissions for the Trans and Nonbinary Survivors Speak Out. This project is a collaboration between MenHealing and FORGE. Participants will have an opportunity to join with other survivors in a series of workshops to help them form community, receive support and coaching, and gain confidence for two Speak Out sessions that will be conducted for a national audience on March 31 and April 1, 2022. IF YOU ARE A TRANS/NONBINARY SURVIVOR WE WELCOME YOUR SUBMISSION TO PARTICIPATE. Submissions requested by 10/15.

$90K IN 90 DAYS CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Our $90K IN 90 DAYS fundraising campaign officially began on October 3^rd.  THANK YOU to everyone who has already supported us with a financial contribution.  As of October 10^th, we have received $16,170 from thirty-five financial donors.

Our 10/3 Live Launch Webinar was a success, with four distinct and powerful artistic expressions of support for the work of MenHealing. Much appreciation to Peitao Zhu for his uplifting piano recital; the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus for their inspiring musical pieces; to the twelve trans and nonbinary performers in the Simone Farro Dance Collective for their riveting movements; and to Michael Guinn for his emotional poetry. If you missed the 10/3 event, you can still watch the seventy-five minute video here.

The first of the twelve-part Instagram Live Series “Expanding Men’s Healing from Sexual Victimization” began on 10/5. This series, hosted by Richard Smith, will continue every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT through the end of the year. Click the image below to watch the first episode.

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US TO REACH OUR CAMPAIGN GOAL OF RAISING $90,000 IN THE FINAL 90 DAYS OF 2021.

MenHealing is able to manage our activities because of deeply committed individuals such as YOU. We invite YOU to help sustain our work by making a donation of any amount. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU.

A GIFT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATES TO MALE SURVIVORS THAT “YOUR STORY MATTERS.”

Remember, YOU can make a difference for male survivors by forwarding this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think would benefit.   
Thanks for spreading the word! 

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

ANNOUNCING OUR $90K IN 90 DAYS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN!

As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, this past September marked the 20 year anniversary of the Weekends of Recovery program! To date, more than 1700 male survivors have joined us, shared their stories, and discovered new tools for healing. This November, MenHealing we will be celebrating our milestone 90th retreat!

We are honoring this landmark event by appealing to YOU to help us raise $90,000 during the final 90 days of 2021 with our MenHealing: $90K In 90 Days fundraising campaign!

We have planned a number of activities during this campaign. Here are just two up-coming events.

JOIN US FOR OUR LIVE VIRTUAL KICKOFF EVENT ON OCTOBER 3rd!

Show your support for survivors and help us kickoff the MenHealing: $90K in 90 Days fundraising campaign by joining us for a live virtual evening of stories and entertainment, featuring music, poetry and dance with special appearances from members of the MenHealing staff.

Join us for an hour of celebration! Click HERE to register.

NEW INSTAGRAM LIVE SERIES: EXPANDING MEN’S HEALING FROM SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION

Beginning October 5th, Richard Smith will host a new 12-part Instagram Live series featuring discussions about innovative approaches for healing from sexual trauma. Guest speakers will explore a diverse range of perspectives about social and cultural factors that impact survivors' journeys of healing.

With an awareness that sexual trauma does not happen within a vacuum, each episode will delve into the intersectional ways that sexual trauma is compounded by racial and gender identities, oppression and white supremacy.

Follow MenHealing on Instagram and look out every Tuesday at 7:00 pm Eastern / 4:00 pm Pacific to see new episodes!

WOR ALUMNI SUPPORT GROUPS BEGIN

After months of planning, 32 WOR Alumni have been enrolled in 4 Support Groups. Groups are co-facilitated by Peer Leaders, each of whom are WOR Alumni themselves. The 8 volunteer Peer Leaders are each WOR Alumni themselves. They have received training in group facilitation and will receive on-going supervision from Joanna Colrain (MenHealing Board Chair) and Amy Ellis (Director of the Trauma Resolution & Integration Program, Nova Southeastern University).  These groups are intended to provide additional connection and community-building for WOR Alumni. The financial generosity of MenHealing donors allows us to offer these groups as a free service for Alumni.  We hope to expand the number of these groups in the future and to make them available to non-Alumni as well.

WOR Updates

Our recent in-person Level 1 WOR at Alta Lodge, UT. was a great success. This amazing sunset picture was taken during one of our evening dinners and expresses all the energy that was present during our 3-day retreat (this picture was from the sun & clouds, not a fire!).

Registration for the Hope Springs, OH Level 1 WOR (10/15 – 10/17) closes on Friday, 10/1  Only 3 spots remaining!

Registration for the Virtual online Level 1 WOR (11/5 – 11/7) remains open until 10/2

MenHealing is able to manage our activities because of deeply committed individuals such as YOU. We invite YOU to help sustain our work by making a donation of any amount. 85% of our operating budget is received from grassroots individual financial donations from supporters like YOU.

A GIFT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATES TO MALE SURVIVORS THAT “YOUR STORY MATTERS.”

Remember, YOU can forward this newsletter to anyone or any organization that you think might be interested. Thanks for spreading the word!

We welcome YOUR FEEDBACK and any ideas about our work via: contact@menhealing.org

Jim Struve

Executive Director, MenHealing/Weekend of Recovery