A Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Well-Being Collective

Refuge

Are you Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color looking for a space to reclaim your well-being?

Do you long for a safe, non-judgmental community where you can show up as your whole self, be truly seen, and honestly consider the barriers to well-being?

Would you like to practice greater self-compassion and self-care?

Are you ready to create change in how our culture centers well-being by actively embracing your own well-being?

Do you yearn for a community to lift and support you as we practice belonging to ourselves and each other?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO THESE QUESTIONS, THEN REFUGE IS FOR YOU!

Offered by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, REFUGE is created and facilitated by Rosie Molinary, a Puerto Rican author, non-profit founder and Board Chair.

REFUGE is designed for BIPOC non-profit professionals in North Carolina who wish to:

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Embrace self-care and joy as essential foundations to justice and equity.

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Reflect on our journeys and express the unique challenges of our experiences.

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Practice self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.

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Have deep conversations about what gets in the way of practicing self-care for communities of color.

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Experience deep compassion, understanding, and community.

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Celebrate our diverse perspectives and strengths.

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Revitalize our sense of purpose.

During our bi-weekly 90-minute virtual sessions, we will immerse ourselves in meditative and reflective exercises and wholehearted conversations with a kindred cohort that will support us in centering our well-being. Ahead of REFUGE, you will receive a box of resources in the mail to support your journey.

With the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation sponsoring this experience, your investment is one of time as you prioritize each session on your calendar, commitment as you show up for yourself and your cohort, and a willingness to intentionally center well-being as a foundation to our collective healing and liberation.

Last year, by recommendation of one of my supervisors, I was offered a chance to spend a weekend at a Thrive Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. I happily accepted as I was desperately in need of a break. I knew I needed some time to reset my life, but I didn’t really know how. I was approaching burnout, but didn’t yet know it. You see, being a person of color, the word retreat or self-care was not in my vocabulary. In my mind, a retreat was for those who have lots of money and time and I had neither of these. The majority of the people in my life were just trying to survive. I was raised to survive. Self-care and retreats almost seemed like a luxury not a necessity.

As I pulled onto the grounds of the Rizzo Center, I felt a bit nervous since I was alone and, of course did not know what to expect. It was beautiful and I felt so blessed for the privilege to spend my weekend at a place like this. After checking in, I had the honor of meeting one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. That person is Rosie Molinary. After she spoke for a bit, I began to feel so welcomed and accepted.

After meeting everyone in the group, our time began. The activities and exercises that Rosie had us doing interrupted the hamster wheel pattern of tiredness and burnout that I had been drowning in. She helped me see what self-care really is and what the lack of it can do to you. By the last session, I didn’t want our time to end, but I felt so refreshed. I had tools that I could take home with me and that I could share with others at The Ada Jenkins Center.

I have now become an advocate of self-care amongst my co-workers. I encourage them to do the things that I learned from the Thrive Retreat as well as some of the follow up sessions that I have attended virtually. I am so grateful for that time. It was an unforgettable and uplifting experience.

As a result, the way I approach self-care and taking care of myself as a women of color is totally different. I would recommend any retreat or session that Rosie leads because I know that those that attend will be greatly blessed.

– Kateaka Brown

I was introduced to Rosie by a coworker. My coworker gave Rosie so much praise that I was willing to take two hours out of my busy work schedule each week to join Nourish. I was not sure that I could make that kind of commitment to myself but, after attending the first session, I knew I owed that time to myself. Rosie has become somewhat of a lifesaver to me. I was becoming burnt out from my job and was experiencing compassion fatigue.

My work woes then started to have a strong negative effect on my mental health, which then turned into physical symptoms. Rosie’s workshops made me realize that I had no choice but to practice self-care if I wanted to get back to a happier me in my personal life and work life.

Every day, I use the tools she shared during my time in Nourish to keep myself balanced. Each month, I am creating a monthly intention and then tracking steps for my intention on a daily basis. I also look forward to the monthly check-ins! I heavily encourage anyone I know to attend Rosie’s workshops. I appreciate Rosie more than I can put into words.

– Jamese Ivy

My way of thinking around self-care has completely changed due to attending sessions with Rosie Molinary. The journey allowed me to recognize my importance and that self-care doesn’t equal being selfish. Self-care equals prioritizing myself.

Rosie is AMAZING, and I am so thankful to have taken her workshops. I have learned a lot and am teaching my daughter the importance of self-care at age 13. I don’t want her to get to my age and realize that her needs should be met consistently.

– Keshi Satterwhite

Details:

REFUGE launches in February 2021 and will meet over Zoom for 90 minutes bi-weekly (10:30 AM to 12 PM) over 3 months. Participants will be supported with a care package that will be mailed to them and a virtual classroom where they can find materials.

Dates: February 2, February 16, March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27

Have any questions? Contact Rosie at RosieMolinary@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER