Goal: $10,000 • Funded: $10,000
(2013) Creating Safe Spaces: To create safe, loving, uplifted spaces for at-risk young people in order to reduce their anxiety, increase their experience of Basic Goodness, encourage emotional growth, and provide leadership training.
During the visit of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, over 100 at-risk young people addressed a large audience and through poetry, prose, rap, song and discussion groups talked of their lives in the midst of violence. Following the opening of their new location in January, Shambhala Chicago will welcome young people weekly after school, into its new community and meditation space. Here they will have the opportunity for more intensive mindfulness and leadership training. The basic benefit will be to create safe spaces for young people who live in neighbourhoods where it isn’t safe to be outside.