Goal $ 8000 • Raised $5725 (2015)
The purpose of this pilot program is to offer former homeless people now living in a permanent housing facility, in Fort Collins, Colorado, to learn mindfulness meditation over an extended period of time (7-8 months) in order to increase participants’ sense of self worth and improve their quality of life. This will include extensive work on body nutrition and awareness.
Offering ongoing services to the homeless population is often challenging as many people in this situation have/had major trauma, substance abuse and mental health issues for prolonged periods of time. This results in high anxiety, quick and strong emotional reactions to perceived threats and the application of poor judgment in many situations.
In this training there will be techniques and tools which will increase people’s ability to perceive and apply positive options in relating to anxiety, fear, substance abuse and emotional reactions. Methods to experience and utilize the ability to calm the mind will be provided and strengthened throughout the program. Realizing and using better judgment in difficult situations is a key goal. In addition to the personal benefits to participants the aspiration is that this program will become part of the community culture at the facility and thereby impact new residents as the resident population changes over time.