Upcoming SOAR SPAs

Back by popular demand, SOAR SPA® is coming to Alexandria, VA May 21, 2011 in its first-ever "Mini" format! And that's not all … we're combining it with Living Out Loud: improv comedy for survivors of sexual violence who are ready to laugh again. This is surely a SPA not to be missed!

SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is a one-day workshop for survivors and their supporters (family members, friends) that awakens the mind, warms the heart, and tickles the funny bone.

It's a one-of-a-kind experience.

SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is a day of exploration and celebration created by survivors, for survivors. Activities are engaging, diverse, and woven together to create an experience you will never forget.

Participate in a creativity project, light stretching and movement, journaling, relaxation, and … improvisational comedy! There is group time along with individual time to reflect and set goals.

"SPA" stands for "Something Positive Afterwards®." SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is the gift you give yourself to boost your healing process by rejuvenating your spirit while building relationships and bonds. It is an inclusive, non-judgmental, understanding, safe, and fun environment for you to re-discover who you really are. Together, we strengthen the foundation you've already built so that you can move fully from victim to survivor to simply YOU with no labels—someone who is thriving in life and optimistic about the future!

You'll benefit in ways you never imagined.

Surviving life is exhausting work. You'll leave SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud with:

• More energy;
• A renewed sense of self;
  
• New communication skills; and
  
• Rekindled feelings of empowerment and intimacy.

With its inspirational facilitators and a supportive network of friends, SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud helps you re-create a life filled with spontaneity, optimism, and joy.

You'll also enjoy the one-of-a-kind location.

This very special event will be held at Convergence—a creative community which values the role of our imagination in our physical, emotional and spiritual lives. It's a "retreat" in every sense of the word.

Convergence is minutes from Washington DC's Reagan National Airport and just an hour from Baltimore Washington International and Dulles International, making it easy for you to join us from virtually any part of the world.

Meet your extraordinary SOAR SPA® Mini Team!

Meet Kellie Greene. Kellie is the Director of Speaking Out About Rape, Inc.® (SOAR®). As a victim of stranger rape, she was motivated to create an organization that would empower survivors of sexual violence through the healing process. She is also the founder of Operation Freefall®, a day of sky diving to raise awareness of sexual violence. Kellie has appeared on numerous television talk shows and news programs including Today and 60 Minutes and has been featured in national publications such as Glamour and SELF Magazines.

Meet Andrea Howe. Andrea is a survivor of date rape who was inspired by her own healing process to create Living Out Loud—improv comedy workshops for survivors of sexual assault who are ready to laugh again. She is also the catalyst behind the book "Hear Us Roar! 28 Stories of Everyday Women Leading Extraordinary Lives."

Meet Jen McLish, LCSW. Jen has worked in the sexual violence field for nine years as an advocate, therapist, and trainer. She provides counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and runs support groups for survivors of sexual assault of all ages. She also has trained professionals on play therapy for trauma survivors and on creating a coordinated community response to sexual violence. Jen's currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Sexual Assault Center at the City of Alexandria.

Meet Corinne Krill. Corinne Krill teaches weekly yoga classes in the Washington DC area. Corinne also co-leads Camp Mabon, an annual weekend nature experience that provides a positive, life-affirming experience for women survivors of sexual abuse and violence. Through Corinne's inviting and nuturing spirit, she encourages students to experience the power of their breath, open to their truth and to follow the voice of their soul.

Meet Kathy Prudden, LCSW. Information on Kathy coming soon!

Meet Shawn Westfall. Shawn has performed improv all over the U.S. and is the creator of the improv comedy school at the DC Improv. When Andrea asked Shawn four years ago if he'd be willing to teach sexual assault survivors how to do improv comedy, without missing a beat he said, "Of course." But that's Shawn—talented and generous beyond measure!

Space is limited … and special discounts are available.

SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is limited to 30 participants. Registration before April 22, 2011 is $50 per person and includes all activities and supplies, as well as lunch and refreshment breaks. Registration after April 22, 2011 is $75 per person.
If you know SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is for you, don't delay! Contact Jen McLish at 703-746-3126 to complete your registration. You may make your payment either by check, money, order, credit card or PayPal. And if money is an issue, call Jen anyway; you may be eligible for a SOAR SPA® scholarship!

(Please note that all registration deposits and payments are non-refundable, unless SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud is cancelled by SOAR.)

But wait, there's more.

You don't need to have any special skills or knowledge to participate in any parts of SOAR SPA® Mini: Living Out Loud. We will give you all the information and tools to participate fully!

"Sign me up!"

We're so happy to have you join us! Please click here or contact Jen McLish at 703-746-3126 to complete your registration.

Dawna Markova once wrote, "I will not die an unlived life. I choose to live … so that which came to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which came to me as blossom, goes on as fruit."
Won't you join us in your pledge to do the same?

To request a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format, please e-mail mike.hatfield@alexandriava.gov or call 703-519-3357, TTY 711