Soul Food for the Activist: :

Sustaining Ourselves for a Lifetime of Service Retreat

Participants in the Soul Food for the Activist Workshop

On Saturday, February 2nd, over 60 people gathered to reflect, relax and re-energize at the UC Berkeley sponsored event, “Soul Food for the Activist: Sustaining Ourselves for a Lifetime of Service” Retreat.  Some were students and others were local community activists.

The day began with an inspiring keynote address by youth advocate and trainer, Ayoka Turner, followed by a movement-based exercise led by Destiny Arts Center Creative Director, Sarah Crowell.  The participants, most of whom were students, met in small groups to talk about issues and items that were meaningful for them before lunch and a series of afternoon workshops.

Workshops throughout the afternoon included meditation, art, organizational sustainability and interfaith leadership.  One workshop, sponsored by the Shinnyo-en Foundation, invited participants to reflect on their individual Path to Peace through a guided meditation and art.

To close the day, UC Berkeley Cal Corps Public Service Center Director, Megan Voorhees inspired the crowd to create an intention from the day and take it with them as they departed. 

Much of the day was organized by Shinnyo-en Foundation sponsored Service and Peace Fellow, Kana Yoshida.