Advocate and partner for restorative, urban green initiatives.
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The JourneyWomxn Fund: Caregivers Program Retreats (CPR) is an outreach initiative of Where's Your Tree? We provide $500 micro-grants to attend retreats in safe, rural settings without cost. Retreats are open to mid, and late-career BIPOC womxn who are New Jersey residents and caregivers also bridging lives as artists, food growers, healers, and juggling responsibilities that compete with realizing creative, personal goals.
Video credit: Tasha Strong www.dirtysolesunlimited.com/wed
My story begins with a tragic event in 2015 when we lost my father, affectionately known as "June," in a car accident. Both my mother, "Jennie," and I survived, though barely, with the experience leaving us deeply affected. Within a few short years, my mother would spend about nine months in a nursing facility, before returning home with full-time caregiver assistance. Over the last six years of her life, I became a long-distance caregiver, shuttling between New Jersey, New York, and my hometown of Philly. Often, this type of caregiving is overlooked or undervalued compared to those who reside with their loved ones.
I navigated the challenges of eldercare, dealing with Aides, agencies, medical appointments, finances, and all my mom’s day-to-day needs. We also shared moments of joy watching her favorite television shows (like The Crown, during the young queen's early ascent on the throne which generated fond memories of mom's youth), along with political news, and sharing meals and laughter, outings to the mall and local restaurants before her health declined. My mother was a strong-willed and independent woman who cherished her daily routines beginning with a hearty breakfast. She was beloved by my siblings and me and a diverse group of intergenerational friends, co-workers, and family, who cherished her wisdom and joy for life.
Like so many of you, I continued to juggle the demands of my day job and personal responsibilities. What saved me from being overwhelmed by a relentless Assisted-Living Healthcare system was finding solace in occasional escapes to the beach, long walks to recharge in the company of grand trees and stargazing under the crisp nighttime sky. Communing with nature provided moments of renewal and rejuvenation, and strength needed for continuing the caregiving journey. Those small moments sustained me until my mother's passing in early 2021.
Though heartbroken and exhausted, I committed to redirecting my creative life expression more meaningfully and, by extension, in my mother’s honor, by providing Black, brown, and other womxn of color with access to rural residency getaways.
In the pursuit of light-n-joy + rest-n-resistance!
Pam Booker
Founder/Director
Mom, Dad, Pam
For 55 years, the historic Heathcote Mill has been the heart of the Heathcote Community. Currently, event programming is on hold while the community prepares to renovate the Mill. Heathcote offers two bedrooms and a kitchen available for guests. There is also a regenerative, small-scale, intensive farm on the grounds that offers hands-on sustainable growth opportunities. The farm demonstrates the application of permaculture design principles to utilize marginal land to produce vegetable, herb, mushroom, and berry crops.
Each selected resident is provided a private cabin with studio space. While each cabin is secluded and feels remote, it's reassuring to know that the cabins are actually quite close to each other and there is someone available to help at the main house should any problem arise. There are three to choose from; the Studio of One's Own, the Guesthouse, or the Lean-To. Each studio has a kitchen, bathroom, full-size bed, and wifi. In addition, there are walking paths throughout 120 wooded acres that are enjoyable in all four seasons.
Tucked away in Warren County’s farm country, PBC serves young people, primarily from historically marginalized communities, through camping, environmental, and adventure-based programming. PBC staff develop customized programs to meet specific meeting or retreat needs for groups of all sizes. Accommodations are comfortable and close to nature. PBC houses up to 140 people in 10 beautiful hand-hewn log cabins, each outfitted with bunk beds. Wood and propane stoves make cool-weather stays cozy. In addition, several houses and lodges were recently updated with modern, indoor facilities for adult groups.
Applicant eligibility includes:
HOUSING: Residential facilities are provided by Host Partners, located on rural land in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maryland. Their in-kind donations offset the cost of housing an awardee for 5-7 days to take long walks, fulfill your passions, and commune with nature. In addition, each resident is provided a private studio or room at no cost, or a cabin equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and wifi.
MEALS: Residents must purchase groceries (or bring them) and prepare their food at Heathcote Community and Welcome Hill Studios. Princeton-Blairstown Center has a cafeteria on site. Special diets can be discussed in advance.
TRANSPORTATION: Heathcote Community and Welcome Hill Studios are easily accessible by Amtrak, an essential benefit to city dwellers who may not drive or others who want to use fewer footprints. Princeton-Blairstown requires driving.
GROUNDS: Each site offers expansive wooded acres and walking paths, enjoyable in all four seasons. Expect to see wildlife of all kinds on these properties. Remember to bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and a flashlight. A rain jacket, walking stick, and bug spray are suggested for the warmer months.
SESSION SCHEDULE: Residency dates are at the discretion of the Host Partner. Some offer flexible dates, and others are based on availability.
SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted on the grounds.
Following a review of the application and letter of recommendation, $500 micro-grants will be awarded to three (3) selected finalists for travel, meals/groceries, and supplies. All other discretionary expenses that exceed the grant allocation amount are the awardee's responsibility. In addition, awardees are required to submit a final report to document the experience and expenditures following the retreat.
Host Partners are our friends and spirit allies who, in unique ways, help disrupt oppression and privilege by supporting the Where's Your Tree? vision of equity and access by graciously sharing their facilities without cost to deserving caregivers.
We are deeply grateful to each organization's leadership for affirming "in-kindness!" (See MEET OUR HOST PARTNERS to learn more about each site.)
All of our partner sites are fully vetted dwellings that have been experienced as safe, welcoming retreat locations for our Awardees.
Follow us @pamelabooker19
WheresYourTree.com
Advocate and partner for restorative urban green initiatives.
All Photo Gallery images & Video by P. Booker (c.) 2019-2023
Contact: pamela@wheresyourtree.com