| Dear Y-WE Community, As another incredible year comes to an end, we are feeling so grateful and expectant for what’s to come. Our programs are a space where our young people are empowered to live freely and authentically, embracing all their intersectionalities. In order to do this, our staff have to build a strong container for youth to actualize their values and radically imagine a more sustainable future. Creating these spaces is not easy for a staff that reflects the experiences of our youth and we know that you can’t pour from an empty cup. We are proud to announce that we are living out our values by centering joy and deep rest this winter. Starting tomorrow, 9/17, Y-WE will be closed until Monday, 1/9. This is the second year we will be taking a wellness break, and we are grateful for our community who supports us in feeling empowered to do so. We are inspired by leaders like The Nap Ministry who coined the phrase, “Rest is Resistance”, launching a movement that “examines rest as a radical tool for community healing” and bell hooks, who challenged our capitalist society that often encourages burnout and hustle culture. Advocating for rest is a way to fight for our liberation, and we look forward to returning in the new year even better equipped to support our young people in radical ways. Please consider a donation to Y-WE before the year ends to ensure that we can continue to do this work. If you have any urgent requests related to end-of-year giving, please reach out to silvia@y-we.org, but otherwise we appreciate your patience and look forward to connecting when we return! Wishing you all a healthy, restful, and cozy winter season. With love, All of us at Y-WE <3 |
