Since settling in Portland, my greatest passion has been for our 'Peace in the Schools' program. Last week, I had the opportunity to teach in two local high schools, working with students, as well as staff members.
One House of Peace has been hired through the HealthCorps Program at each school, though their budget is limited. All parties involved are clear that 'this is only the beginning.' I was so inspired by the meetings this month that I set an intention that I recognize is delightfully unreasonable -- to raise the matching funds in order to support the beginning of an on-going curriculum in each of these locations, and then beyond, in the next seven weeks.
Our goal is to raise $2500 by 12/31/11 and $2500 by 1/30/12. Will you support our vision of creating peace by donating today? 100% of your donation will go to building 'Peace in the Schools' and your gift is 100% tax deductible. You can learn more by reading more below and/or by directly contacting me atcaverly@onehouseofpeace.org.Click here to donate
Checks can also be mailed to:
One House of Peace
PO Box 11898
Portland, OR 97211
Thank you! Your support is deeply appreciated.
In Peace ~
Caverly
More About Peace in the Schools:
One House of Peace brings Awareness Practice to all ages. 'Peace in the Schools' serves students by teaching them how to achieve their full potential through this mindful practice. Students learn to pay attention to their experience, while also cultivating understanding and compassion for themselves and others. This Awareness Practice training provides students with the skills to focus better in the classroom, understand how to successfully deal with stress, learn to communicate consciously and cultivate healthy relationships with themselves and others.
Through Awareness Practice exercises, students learn to focus their attention on the present moment, learning how to see what motivates their actions and creating new possibilities, rather than be enslaved by habitual reactions. Students also learn how to be aware of the internal negative dialogue that serves as the foundation to destructive behavior and are given practical methods to transform their internal landscapes. Through these teaching, students are given ways to make different choices - choices that lead to wholesome, healthy, fulfilled lives.
'Peace in the Schools' bases its curriculum on the individual schools it works with. No two programs are exactly alike, just as no two schools are exactly alike. Each program is specifically crafted to meet the needs of the teachers, the staff at large, as well as the students. 'Peace in the Schools' offers seminars and workshops to students within their classroom, as well as separate trainings for staff and teachers.
Testimonials:
"Last January, Caverly came to Sacramento High School to lead a stress workshop for staff members involved in the Staff Wellness Competition. The hour-long workshop was invaluable for the staff members who struggle with the long workday and high-pressure nature of a teaching position at Sac High.
Caverly centered the workshop on the important quality of presence and mindfully focusing our attention. She led us through techniques for a sitting meditation and led us through a 5-minute practice session. Every staff member walked away with a new, concrete skill they could utilize both at home and throughout the workday.
The staff members had nothing but wonderful things to say about the session: one explained they had never once given themselves those few moments of clarity before and they felt entirely renewed. Another teacher discussed how difficult it was to be present with her students and how this new skill could make her a much better role model and teacher. Yet another staff member articulated a sense of calm that she had never felt before. All walked away with a vibrant and infectious energy.
We were so grateful to have Caverly come to our campus. One teacher invited Caverly back to do a workshop with her students before the CST exams. The resource Peace in Schools is able to provide can truly transform the performance and well-being of staff members and students alike."
~Jessica Steele, HealthCorps Coordinator,
Sacramento Charter High School
"One summer school session I invited, no pleaded with, Caverly to speak to my group of 40 exceptional college Yoga students. They were asking questions about meditation and consciousness that were well beyond me. Since I had attended a meditation retreat with Caverly, I knew she could handle them. The job required the right balance of approachability, down-to-earth reasoning, engaging content, and humor. She surprised me by getting their attention right away with pointed inquiries about thoughts of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll, and they loved her for it and met her head on with questions and a lively discussion. The students thought they were going to have a "nice meditation lady" come and lead them through some exercises, but instead they got Caverly "unleashed," who clearly had come to get some real work done--with intelligence and laughter--in the short time that she had. The opportunity of a captured/captivated audience of young people was not lost on her. Above all, the students learned that meditation is not a passive practice, and that is precisely why it can help their lives. The students responded immediately and were able to sit quietly in meditation for longer, and in more peace, than I had ever seen after she opened this gateway to awareness practice for them."
~Robyn Penwell, M.S. American River College, Sacramento, CA
Click here to support 'Peace in the Schools'
Thank you!
