It’s been an incredible period of growth and change for Calmer Choice. We are finding our sea legs in the wake of our dear founder Fiona’s retirement, melding skillsets with a new Leadership Team, celebrating a successful Fall event season, and making plans for the future.
Nearly 200 people attended our September Community Stakeholder Breakfast, and our first-ever fundraising event, the “All we Need Is Love” Gala, raised nearly $123,000 to support the next generation of Calmer Choice in the community.
Our friends and supporters pledged their commitment once again to Calmer Choice by helping to raise $2500 this Giving Tuesday.
We’ve published our 2020-21 Annual Report, featuring beautiful stories of how Calmer Choice has helped people throughout this difficult time.
Most importantly, after nearly two years of shattering the limits of what we thought was possible by teaching mindfulness virtually, we are now making a return to service in the classroom.
We are bolstered by the resilience we see as we move through this life-altering pandemic, and are highly aware of the fear and trauma that is just under the surface, particularly for the littlest ones we serve.
None of us are immune from this, and I know for myself, the holiday season only amplifies my feelings of overwhelm and fear. It’s times like these I try to lean into my practice that I’ve learned through Calmer Choice, of noticing what arises for me at any moment and taking just a few moments a day to pause and breathe and notice.
My wish for you is that you are able to find little moments like this throughout your day.
We’re excited to share a very full newsletter with you, and we welcome any thoughts or ideas that come to mind as you read through these pages.
Until we see each other again, holding each of you in my heart this holiday season.
– Emily Smalley, Chief Executive Officer