Pockets of Belonging: Empowering Communities at Village Well Books & Coffee

We are deep inside an epidemic of othering.

That's because the shadow side of belonging is othering.

In the simplest sense, othering is the process of emphasizing differences between human beings and using them as justification for harmful actions. Because of othering, people seem disconnected from a sense of community or belonging.

While othering is an ancient tendency, that doesn’t mean that it’s humanity’s natural state of being. It’s not inherent to who we are. It’s a social construct that can be dismantled.

So, how do we, as people interested in building healthy communities that create healthy humans and a healthy society, create spaces of belonging for members of our communities?

This 2-hour workshop aims to make sense of the world through the power of art & writing, sound healing, guided meditation, and transformative dialogue that lends itself to positivity and belonging within realistic goals and mindful practices.

Our workshop includes a gentle 20-minute guided sound bath designed to help you unwind, ground, and reconnect. Through soothing instruments and mindful guidance, you’ll be invited to soften the body, calm the nervous system, and settle into a state of deep relaxation. Perfect for a quick yet meaningful reset in your day, this session offers a space to release tension, restore balance, and return to yourself with clarity and ease.

Join DreamOut Project (with Patty Rivas & Skylar Hall) at Village Well Books & Coffee as we plant the seeds for pockets of belonging & pockets of peace, alongside actionable strategies to help you do the same.

Together we will:

Actively connect with people.
Set clear intentions for your community.
Bring people together to learn and share.
Give people something positive to align with.
Create opportunities to serve your community.
Welcome people in.

None of us can fix this othering epidemic on our own. And we can’t stop bad actors from weaponizing belonging to further their own agendas.

But we can create spaces of healthy belonging and community so people can find a sense of peace and connection.

This workshop encourages participants to :

• have impactful conversations
  
• experiment and grow their imagination
  
• build community
  
• share knowledge and resources
  

A fundamental part of the DreamOut experience is the DreamBox. It's an activity that blends oral history, creative writing, and visual art to foster resilience, growth, and change. We will have a chance to begin our own DreamBoxes that day.

At the end of the workshop, participants will have an "Individualized Dream Plan" and a "Group Dream Plan" that will encourage them to continue their 'dreamwork' beyond the workshop.

MEET THE FACILITATORS:

Patty Rivas is a bilingual Latina artist, dedicated weaver, sound meditation facilitator, Mexica Danzante, and lifelong student of the healing arts. She has been facilitating sound baths and creating healing spaces since 2020. Her offerings are heart-centered and guided by a deep respect for culture, community, and connection that invites you to relax, reset, and return to your body in a way that feels nourishing and aligned.

https://pattylorenawellnes.wixsite.com/wellness

Skylar (Sky) Hall is a fourth-generation Japanese American with 7+ years of experience cultivating belonging through community organizing, facilitation, and community-led research. As a movement builder who has organized at the intersection of mutual aid, belonging, and social justice, Sky uses the pillars of co-creation & co-leadership to empower others to create a world of dignity and well-being for all. Sky’s facilitation style is highly interactive and reflective, allowing folks to take up space in a safe and affirming environment with trauma-informed, healing-centered practices at the center.

Michelle Suzanne Snyder is a native Angeleno who uses art and writing to remain committed to community healing and social change. She leads workshops that empower and inspire nonprofit organizations and community groups. Her mission is to build community through customized educational programming, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts and people-powered efforts.

https://www.dreamoutproject.com

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