The Latest News and Updates from The Haven

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Double Your Monthly Donation

Andrew Bing has pledged $5000 to jumpstart this year's Monthly Matching Campaign for Financial Aid. He will match new monthly donations or increases in current monthly donations over the next 6 months to a maximum of $5000.

• Become a monthly donor now. Give $25 per month and by October your total donation will be $300.
• If you are already a monthly donor, increase your monthly giving level. $10 extra per month will result in $120 for Financial Aid.

Join us: there's room for you in our donor circle. You can make a huge difference to someone's life. You can call or email Louise (1 877 247 9238 ext 222,louise@haven.ca or click the buttons above to give securely online. Whether you can give $100 or $5 a month, generosity is a fabulous way of loosening love in the world. Thank you Andrew for shaking some love loose! And thank you to those of you who have already responded with your own generous hearts!

Not One But Two Artists in Residence at The Haven!

Gabriola Island British Columbia - The first ever Artist in Residence program at The Haven is already producing innovative and creative results. The selection committee, representing The Haven and the Gabriola Arts Council, has chosen not one but two artists in residence for 2012: writer Shirley Serviss and visual artist Sande Waters.

Read the full release here.

Visit the Artist in Residence page for more information about the program.

Mark Nepo Coming to The Haven in 2013

A Workshop Guided by Mark Nepo

"We travel so far only to land where we are. We imagine other lives, only to meet who we are. We seek out love in special ways, only to find everyone is special. Humbly, we can't avoid this journey. It is precisely through it that, if blessed, we wake to the life we want by being present to the life we have. In this timeless, common way, we venture out into the life of experience, only to rediscover more deeply what lives at the center. In this way, as our soul meets the days, we are always beginning. In this way, our very lives are a book of awakening, just waiting to read by our heart and lived on our path."

—Mark Nepo

We are delighted to welcome Mark Nepo to The Haven to offer a workshop in February 2013. The workshop is based on Mark's New York Times #1 bestseller The Book of Awakening, which Oprah Winfrey chose as one of her "Ultimate Favorite Things." The book has been translated into more than twenty languages. Beloved as a teacher, poet, and storyteller, Mark is a gentle guide on our journey to discover our personal truths.

The workshop will explore our ongoing need to stay vital and in love with this life, no matter the hardships we encounter. It is an invitation to personalize the common and unrepeatable journey we all encounter in being human. Topics will include "Being Kind," "Meeting the World," "The Stones in the Way," "The Need to Continue," "To Know Someone Deeply," "The Pain of Becoming," "The Magic of Peace," and "Facing Sacred Moments." Using ancient and contemporary stories, poetry, journaling, and dialogue, Mark will invite participants to befriend their own stories and listen for their own wisdom in this reflective and transformational gathering. This workshop is an invitation to engage with profound and life-giving material that will deepen the way you perceive and relate to the world.

Dates:

Keynote Address Tuesday Feb 5, 2013 at 7:00pm.

Workshop runs from Wed Feb 6 to Thursday Feb 7 Noon.

Cost: $385 includes Keynote address (Accommodation and meals extra.)

Registration for the workshop opens June 1, 2012 so mark your calendar and don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to see Mark.

Tickets for the keynote only will be released later in 2012.

Haven Announces Selection Committee for Artist in Residence Program

Gabriola Island, British Columbia – For the first time, The Haven on Gabriola Island, in partnership with the Gabriola Arts Council, is offering a formal Artist in Residence program. Now that all the applications are in, the Selection Committee has started its work.

Mary Holdgrafer, George Szanto and Jeff Molloy will be poring over the 29 applications that came in from a wide variety of artists from all over BC, Alberta and Washington State.

Mary Sullivan Holdgrafer is an accomplished textile artist, teacher and mentor who has led programs on creativity at The Haven for over 10 years. Her work has been exhibited in Canada and the United States, and is held in public and private collections. Her experience as a teacher and artist gives her particular skill in mentoring artists and developing creativity through self-discovery.

George Szanto is an award winning author of novels, essays, plays and short stories, whose works have been translated into French and Italian. He has taught at Harvard University (where he received his doctorate), as well as the University of California San Diego and for the last 26 years at McGill University where, in 2000, he was named professor emeritus.

Jeff Molloy, a self described "farmer of art," creates multi-dimensional, multi-sensory art in his studio on Gabriola Island and currently is serving as a Director of the Gabriola Arts Council. His works have shown solo and in group exhibitions and he has also worked with other artists to produce award winning collaborations. He has mentored countless artists while serving as the curator of the Gallery at the Mac in Victoria from 2000 to 2009, and it's this experience he'll contribute to the Artist in Residence program.

Congratulations Vivien on your 25th Anniversary...

The people who work at The Haven are a vital part of what we do. Many of our staff have been with The Haven for a number of years and on April 1 we mark a very special milestone. Many of you will know Vivien Quinn who serves up delicious Haven breakfasts and lunches. April 1 marks 25 years since Vivien first started at The Haven. Thank you Vivien for all that you have done and continue to do. You are an important part of The Haven for many people, and we all celebrate your 25th anniversary with you.

...and to our Latest Diploma Graduate

From Jane Olynyk, Director of Intern Training

It is with great pleasure that I presented Alan with his Diploma in Haven Group Facilitation on March 29th at his home. Alan has been struggling with his cancer process, which he is in the last stages of. A group of close friends from Gabriola gathered at Sharon and his' home Thursday night to grant him this honour. He was deeply moved.

I think Cathy and Ernie McNally's words encapsulate all our experiences of Alan: For us, you are what the Diploma is all about...it's not an accomplishment, or a qualification, it is recognition of how you are choosing to live...with courage, fragility, bravado, fear, determination, connection, passion, hind-sight wisdom and unbridled humanity...mixed with large dollops of warped irreverence ... it's also about not being and doing life alone; about being blessed with the loving and care of those around you, and most of all, embracing the depth and breadth of loving you have with Sharon. You are all of this and more for us Alan, it is an honour to love you.

Alan would love to hear from anyone who wants to make contact and asked that you either email him amb.48@hotmail.com or call him at 250-247-8581. He would also like you to know that he may not always have energy to engage as he would like. Face to face contact is very difficult for him and telephone or email is more manageable.

Bennet Wong and Jock McKeen Receive Honourary Doctorates - Video

Thank you to Vancouver Island University for letting us re-post this video of Ben and Jock receiving their honourary doctorates at the convocation ceremonies February 9, 2012.

Big Island Wellness Bootcamp

From Linda Nicholls

Have you ever happened upon a place where you feel an immediate zing of "I gotta be here" chemistry?  Well, that's what happened for me with Puna, on the Big Island of Hawaii about three years ago.  On the one hand I want it to remain unspoiled, my special treasure, and on the other hand I want as many people as possible to share in the richness.  This is literally a hot-bed of creation, with primordial lava continually oozing forth building new earth.  Simply showing up, being there, is growthful.  Abundant jungle vegetation, natural foods, cleanest air, join stunning visuals of vast ocean, white surf, black sand beaches, and the unique community of healers, visionaries, movers, shakers, all-round fascinating people who gravitate there.  The alchemy supporting well-being is irresistible.  

Embracing my senior years, with a history of pushing limits and taking my health and resilience for granted, I recognize my responsibility to strengthen, upgrade and refine my immune system for the challenges that lie ahead.  I am one of the multitudinous baby-boomers who is not in a position to retire comfortably, even if I wanted to.  Wherever I turn, the resounding message is that for individual as well as planetary survival it is imperative to harmonize our lifestyle with nature – and quickly.  I imagine I am not alone in feeling some urgency to realign with a healthier lifestyle, which of course includes vitality, creativity, and all sorts of pleasures!

Robert, Lawrence, Doug and I have co-created the Wellness Institute Hawaii and are brimming with a longer-term vision offering a range of wellness alternatives.  I am excited to start 2012 with our Big Island Wellness Bootcamp! Read the flyer here.

Hoping that you will join us – see www.wellnessinstitutehawaii.org/programs.

With warmest wishes for an outstanding Year of the Water Dragon,

Linda Nicholls

The Artist's Haven

We are excited to announce the launch of our first ever artist in residence program at The Haven.

Throughout its history The Haven has offered programs that nurture and cultivate creativity. The Haven has also been a place where artists have found inspiration and a welcoming place to practice their craft. Now for the first time there will also be an opportunity for artists of all disciplines to apply for a residency program. The Artist's Haven residency program provides accommodation for a two-week period in September 2012 in the beautiful setting of Gabriola Island. The Haven is delighted to be offering this opportunity in partnership with the Gabriola Arts Council.

For more details and to download the application form, visit our The Artist's Haven page.

Read more about the Artist's Haven on the Shen blog in a piece by Mary Holdgrafer. It was Mary who first dreamed up the idea of the artist in residence program.

A New Way to Give in 2012

We are now members of Think Recycle and are delighted to have found a new way for you to donate to Haven Foundation and be green at the same time. You can bring your unwanted electronics (including laptops, tablets, cell phones, digital cameras, inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges) to The Haven, we send them to Think Recycle for recycling. In return we receive money to support our Financial Aid program.

It couldn't be simpler. Check out the Think Recycle web site for a list of qualifying products, and don't forget to bring them with you the next time you come to The Haven.

Recycling in this way helps people like Cléo Burke come to Come Alive. Here's her thank you to donors:
I wish to express deep gratitude to all of the donors who have given financial support to The Haven. Through your donations I was able to attend Come Alive this January 2012. My experience there was profound.My spirit was immensely nurtured and transformed through my own explorations and by being witness to the journeys of so many others. I look forward to having the opportunity to pay your kindness and generosity forward in supporting other people to attend The Haven in the future. With an open heart, I thank you.

The Haven Word for 2012 

It's a long tradition at The Haven to pick a word for the upcoming year. The Haven's word for 2012 is ENERGY. 

It's a word which contains life-force and growth. Energy connects us all and is what human beings resonate with. It's something that is always accessible; it is indestructible and undergoes change and transformation. Energy has edge, excitement and movement. It's a call to action; a call to Come Alive. 

The Haven's programs and the people in them are our energy source. You are invited to be part of this by coming to a program in 2012 and recommending others to do the same.

Congratulations to Mike Gobbi, DipC

On December 31 we celebrated with Mike Gobbi, his partner Judy and baby daughter Sophie when Mike was presented with his Diploma in Counselling by Jane Olynyk, Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong. Congratulations Mike, from everyone at The Haven.

VIU Honorary Doctorates for Wong and McKeen

We are delighted to announce that The Haven's founders, Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong, will receive honorary doctorate degrees from Vancouver Island University at a convocation ceremony on February 9, 2012.

"Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong are very deserving of this special honor," said VIU President Dr Ralph Nilson in a press release. "Their work as consultants, leaders, educators and authors has been recognized as an outstanding distinction and achievement, and a shining example of excellence and innovation to society in general."

"We feel deeply honored to be receiving honorary doctorate degrees from Vancouver Island University," said Jock McKeen. "To be recognized for our life work is extremely gratifying."

We at The Haven would like to congratulate Ben and Jock on this richly deserved honor!

Read the News Release from Vancouver Island University on Ben and Jock's Honorary doctorates.

The 2012 Program Catalogue is Here!

The new 2012 Program Catalogue is full of information about programs at The Haven and the faculty who teach them. It's available in an easy to read Flipbook, which allows you to bookmark, scan the thumbnails, zoom in and out, watch it as a slideshow, print it out and click the interactive links. You can also email it and share it on your Facebook and Twitter pages.

If you have been to a program at The Haven in the last ten years, you will be receiving a copy in the mail by the end of November. We are always happy to send you extra copies. Just contact our front desk staff   info@haven.ca or 1 877 247 9238 ext 0.

The Haven Harvest Auction

WOW, what a great response, and thanks to everyone who bid on items, and to everyone who donated items to bid on. Together we were able to raise over $6,700.00 for the Financial Aid Program in 2012.

Your enthusiasm and support make it possible for The Haven to reach people who really need it, and who would not otherwise get the chance.

The Haven's 5 Year Strategic Plan

Read the summary of the 5-year Strategic Plan here.  If you have a bit more time, why not read the whole thing?

Second Time Around Discount for the 25-day Phase Programs

For the first time in 2009, we offered a discount for participants who had already completed the full 25-day Living Alive Phase I, who wanted to take the program again. This was so well received that we have decided to extend the offer to all of our 25-day programs in 2012. So, any participant who has already completed Living Alive Phase I, Living Alive Phase II or (in 2013) New Horizons Phase III can repeat the same program for the full 25 days, and receive an $800 discount.