ONLINE: Group Check-in

Join us online to strengthen connections. This experience is open to anyone, whether you’ve been to The Haven before or are new to our community. Now more than ever, we need to create ways to open our hearts and minds, to ourselves, to one another, and to the world.

Are any of these statements true for you?  

• I sometimes feel isolated and alone.
• I benefit from communicating what I’m feeling out loud.
• It’s important to me to be heard and acknowledged.
• I value accessible opportunities to continue my personal growth.
• Hearing about other people’s experiences helps me feel connected.
• I am interested in meeting others in the Haven community and building relationships.
• I enjoy connecting with other people; sharing what’s going on for me and listening too.
• I want to learn more about the Haven or practice the skills I’ve learned.
• I appreciate a regular time when I can access support and connection online
• I benefit from reminders and accountability to check in with myself and prioritize my wellbeing.

If you said “yes” to any of the above, check-ins may be a perfect opportunity to connect with yourself, others, and The Haven.

“I have attended the Haven online check ins many times and always find them beneficial. I love seeing everyone’s faces and connecting with like minded souls. I feel heard and seen and love seeing and hearing others share. It’s great practice on how I want to be connected in my everyday relationships. The Haven has changed my life I am very grateful for all the online events the Haven offers in these times when we cannot physically be together.” – Libby, Online Check-in participant

Format:

Check-ins are run by Christina Smith and Jane Kilthei, both long-time Haven assistants and group leaders, who are committed to supporting our community. Online check-in groups started in March of 2020 during Covid, and participants have valued these connections post-Covid. We’ve had over 5000 registrations for these pay-what-you-can offerings.

Every other week the check-in group meets for 90 minutes. Many of our participants join every week and some drop in when they can. We welcome people who are regular Haven participants as well as those who are new to check-ins or to the Haven.

In our online sessions we start with music and an invitation to movement, then a brief grounding breathing practice, a Land Acknowledgement, and together we make a collective confidentially agreement about not sharing other participants’ experiences beyond the group.

For most of each session participants share what’s going on for them in their lives and relationships, celebrating their positives, sharing their challenges, sometimes asking for feedback or support, and then they listen to others’ sharing. We sometimes share some Haven announcements, and we close with a piece of music.

In these check-ins our primary focus is on supporting individual sharing and listening in the group, doing our best to ensure time and space for each participant. Sometimes we include a short breathing practice, grounding or teaching piece to shift our energy if it fits.

And, if you are interested in Haven programs please join us, bring your questions, all are welcome.

Note: These check-ins are not typical Haven programs with teaching models and demonstrations. The focus is on group sharing and leaders do their best to ensure time and space for each participant. Check-ins are not group therapy nor are they a replacement for counselling.

Schedule:

• Alternating Thursdays, 6:30 – 8pm PT

Participants are welcome to join after 6:15pm PT to settle in, test their device and Zoom connection.

“I am finding the online check-ins at the Haven to be extremely helpful in connecting with others. It is a safe place and I look forward to it every week I love watching everyone go through their own spiritual path in finding a way there with the help of the leaders.” – Lisa, check-in participant

Pay what you can: 

There is no cost to attend but if you have the means to donate – we appreciate it. These contributions together with our volunteer leadership team help support hundreds of people to access these check-ins without cost being a barrier. Our suggested donation is between $15 and $20.

Technical requirements:

This online check-in will be hosted on Zoom, a video conferencing software that is free for participants and easy to use on a variety of devices. You will need to have a device (desktop computer or laptop recommended; tablet or smartphone can work too), reliable internet connection, and sound capabilities (headset recommended; built in or external microphone or speaker systems can work too). You can test your device connection and compatibility in advance here: zoom.us/test

You will be invited to join the call up to 15 minutes early to receive technical support.