“Stories from the Future” Builds Community and Better Lives, One Family at a Time”
“What’s Next?” Starfire Leaders Ask Participants Energized to Respond with “Joyful Disruption”
Pawtucket-based Shri Yoga Studio, the social enterprise delivering skilled yoga classes open to the public, together with outreach programs & healing arts, hosted the interactive work session of four storytellers committed to building better lives. Invitations to this get together were capped at approximately 30 attendees, hopefully among those to be the next innovators and leaders to continue the efforts of forming more inclusive communities, services and lives for individuals with disabilities.
Together, Tim Vogt, STARFIRE Learning Network Director, Carol Combs, the Family Network Coordinator, and Nithya Narayan, the RI Family Mentor worked with Ken Renaud, RI founder of IN2U Relationships in RI to lead the storytelling and workshop session.
Cincinnati-based Starfire, the groundbreaking organization empowering leaders to build community and inclusion alongside people with developmental disabilities, led a lively workshop Friday in the bright, open SHRI Inclusive yoga studio. What began with the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) underwriting a RI Family Leadership Network in collaboration with Best Life RI has since planted roots destined to create flourishing new communities.
To say Starfire is setting a best practice in the field of disabilities is an understatement.
Starfire connects people to relationships and uncovers a person’s talents and passions – so they can thrive in their communities alongside their neighbors.
To answer the ‘What’s Next’ question, Tim opened the day’s session simply stating “You are what’s next.”
You’re here to listen, to learn to determine what becomes part of the conscious container, to feel honored and feel responsibility.” Taped to the SHRI studio wall was a magic-marker drawing of an empty bowl labelled “Conscious Containment.” It wasn’t empty for long.
Alison, Trecia, Iraida, Sue & Sherri – the four storytellers – shared their purpose, values, and what makes everyone stronger. Explanations of their programs, processes, the individuals whose lives are affected – from students in transition to adults with developmental disabilities – and including the partnerships and collaborations that evolve energized the group.
Owner and visionary of SHRI Yoga, Alison Bologna shared her story, which focused on skilled yoga classes for special-needs populations, while creating Rhode Island’s FIRST creative live, work, wellness community. Trecia Pimer, from Westerly High School, spoke to helping students to have their needs met. Susan Raposo and Sherri Sarault of Best Life RI, explore what people want their lives to lookl like and how to help them get there. Iraida Williams from LAZO and Perla Fernandez of Tri-County Community Action spoke about their collaboration to outreach and engage the LatinX community in accessing available resources and supports for enhancing quality of life outcomes for individuals and families. Each group echoed the sentiment: “each story begins with regarding people as individuals.”
Following the separate group sessions, the group came together. Alison led a brief chair-yoga session, which fit perfectly into the group’s agenda, mindfulness, and renewed sense of energy and connection. Not surprisingly, the group eagerly filled the bowl with keen insights in response to the question.
Tim announced, “After the story, this is what’s next: people connecting, creating relationships, creating openness on which to build community.”
While the event is officially over, Best Life RI and RIDDC are looking forward to what’s next. According to Best Life RI’s Sue Raposo, “there will be further conversations with RIDDC. Our goal is to create a Family Leadership Network in RI. We had spotlighted 10 families, and they can be mentors to the next 10 families, with each year building upon the last. Stay tuned.”
Leading up to the Friday event, on Thursday, event planner Ken Renaud, hosted “Inclusion Seekers” Investing in the Story of Belonging at Harbor Lights, an event designed to bridge the gap between people with disabilities and their communities. With special guest speaker Tim Vogt, from Starfire, the agenda included time to explore quality support, tackle disconnection and heal historical separations.
Following the event, Starfire led a Creative Design planning conversation with a student from East Greenwich High School to affirm her personal assets, strengthen connections among neighbors as well as community members, and seek creative collaborations for a community project.
Friday night was Best Life RI’s and Starfire’s Celebration at the Event Factory in Warwick featuring the yearlong work of ten families showcasing how they have become more connected to their communities while building lasting relationships. Those in attendance provided encouragement to keep the spark alive and growing. A lively group which included younger kids and adults with disabilities agreed to embark on the process, having heard firsthand what it did for families and communities.
