This is an opportunity for women to experience and practice communication skills together that create the possibility for deep human connection.

Community can be described as, "a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to 'rejoice together, mourn together,' and to 'delight in each other, make each others' conditions [their] own.'" [M. Scot Peck, The Different Drum]

This is a way of being that I believe is inside of everyone. Yet this is also a way of being that is not supported by mainstream culture, and as a result many people do not typically experience or trust making these connections. It involves, among other things, communicating with authenticity, risking vulnerability, having a commitment to 'hang there' when difficulties arise, a tolerance of ambiguity, and a surrender to the unknown. It can also involve coming into a new experience of ourselves in relationship with others. Everyone has their own experience of this work, and in a lot of ways it's better to come with few expectations, so I'll keep this short. For me, this work has had a profound effect on my life and my relationships. I am very excited to be bringing this event to the Olympia Community! Please view the rest of this post and the attached documents for more details. Thanks for reading! Also, please contact me (Catherine) at 360-888-2783 with any questions or for more information about this work.

What is Community Building?

Community Building is a group process, developed by the late M. Scott Peck, where participants experience and practice communication skills that create the possibility for deep human connection. Participants sit in a circle. Brief instructions are offered regarding the guidelines for interaction. Supported by facilitators, the group begins to interact with each other, speaking as they are moved to do so.

The Facilitators

Eve Berry, Mona Reaume and Catherine Hylen together bring 25 years of community building experience to this workshop.

Event Details

Please call to let us know that you are coming!

Friday December 1^st, 6pm- 9pm, introduction and circle work
Saturday December 2^nd, 9am – 6pm, circle work with breaks
Sunday December 3^rd, 9am – 5pm, circle work and wrap-up

- A donation of $150-200 is suggested. Please DO NOT let money stand in your way if you wish to attend this workshop. If you are able, please consider an extra amount as a ‘scholarship fund’ for others. Pre-registration and a deposit is due by November 26^th.

- Childcare may be provided for this event. Please let us know what your needs are. 

with any questions or to register for this event!

"There is a yearning in the heart for peace. Because of the wounds and rejections that we have received in past relationships, we are frightened by the risk of disarming ourselves. In our fear, we discount the dream of authentic community as merely visionary. But there are methods by which people can come back together, by which the old wounds are healed. It is our mission to teach these new and liberating traditions, to make hope real again, to make the vision actually manifest in a world which has almost forgotten t he glory of what it means to be human."   

 – the Foundation for Community Encouragement's Founding Dream