What was y(our) pandemic experience? Documenting our learnings. Sustaining and supporting NYS advocates.

NYSCADV is participating in a national project called "Restoryation", that will use storytelling as a way to understand the collective experience of domestic violence service providers of the past few years. The covid-19 pandemic affected advocates across the state in a myriad of ways; New York State has a valuable story to add to this national project that will analyze and advocate for how covid-19 has affected domestic violence advocacy.

Along with uplifting New York State’s unique pandemic experience and needs, this needs assessment workshop focuses on addressing key concerns that have emerged from the pandemic: sustainability, retention, and organizational care. The Restoryation curriculum combines oral and visual storytelling to provide a restorative space for processing trauma, healing collectively, and building connection.

Each workshop takes place in a carefully selected, nourishing environment to sustain a healing-centered, holistic and invigorating practice, including: a Zen Garden and meditation hall, a historic NYC sanctuary, a National Geographic award-winning lodge, a 95-acre Catskill haven, and a lake-side culinary gallery. Breakfast and lunch are provided at each workshop.

Story circles are day-long workshops encompassing grounding practices, visual storytelling, oral storytelling, expressive journaling, and both large and small group discussion. We are holding seven workshops across the state in May and June, with two specifically for BIPOC advocates and one specifically for domestic violence program directors.

The workshop will include a series of short surveys from which data will be anonymized, compiled, and analyzed by an evaluation team led by Dr. Cris Sullivan, who you may know from her work on the DV Housing First demonstration and research project. NYSCADV will then distribute these aggregate findings back to member organizations in New York and will use the findings to help guide our collective work as we move through pandemic recovery.  

We invite you to step into the circle with us, foster a sense of belonging, and nourish and strengthen ourselves for a sustainable advocacy community.

Event Photos

Testimonials

“I didn’t know how much I needed this space. Thank you.”

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity; I hadn’t realized how much I’ve been holding onto/keeping In while trying to maintain normalcy as much as possible for staff. No wonder this has been such a tiring few years!!”

“I was dreading doing this because I’m not social AND I’m chatty (yeah it’s an internal conflict I’m aware of ha) but I love getting together without pressure and connecting.”

“The Story Circle was so powerful! Thanks for having us.”

“Thank you for giving us this opportunity to open about things that have happened being in this type of work.”

Shared Collages (with permission)

Shared Collages

Workshop Locations & Registration

  • NYC BIPOC Circle
    NYC BIPOC Circle

    May 16th 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island
    New York, NY

    For BIPOC advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • NYC Circle
    NYC Circle

    May 18th 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island
    New York, NY

    For advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • Northern Circle
    Northern Circle

    May 23rd 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    Lake Clear Lodge
    Lake Clear, NY

    For advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • Directors' Circle
    Directors' Circle

    June 6th 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    New York Kitchen
    Canandaigua, NY

    For directors from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • Hudson Circle
    Hudson Circle

    June 13th 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    Lifebridge Foundation Sanctuary
    Rosendale, NY

    For advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • June 21st 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    Chapin Mill Retreat Center
    Batavia, NY

    For BIPOC advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)

  • June 22nd 9:30am - 4:30pm EST
    Chapin Mill Retreat Center
    Batavia, NY

    For advocates from primary purpose domestic violence advocacy programs that are community based, non-profit organizations in the state of New York. (Further eligibility details can be found on the registration page.)