Urban Whole Thinking: Detroit
August 14-20, 2012
For the past decade, Center for Whole Communities has been hosting Whole Thinking Retreats at Knoll Farm in Fayston, Vermont. This August, we convened the first ever Urban Whole Thinking Retreat experience in Detroit, Michigan. While we have held many events and workshops around the country, this marked the first time that we took the full 7-day Whole Thinking Retreat curriculum beyond Knoll Farm.
This Retreat was led by Adrienne Maree Brown, Mohamad Chakaki, Anushka Fernandopulle and Ginny McGinn. Retreat participants stayed at Wayne State University, and we gathered daily at the Cass Corridor Commons – a community space managed by the Eastern Michigan Environmental Action Council (www.emeac.org) walking distance from Wayne State University. Food was provided by the People’s Kitchen (www.peopleskitchendetroit.org/) and other local businesses. Retreat participants had the opportunity to experience and connect with both the people and places that are part of the Detroit Community. Thank you to everyone who made this first Urban Whole Thinking Retreat a grand success!
This was a special opportunity for participants to experience our first-ever Urban Whole Thinking Retreat in one of the most challenged – and creative – cities in the country. Participants had the opportunity to experience the city of Detroit while also engaging with fellow leaders from across the country as well as from Detroit working for environmental and social change.
We believe that our relationship to land and to each other is experienced in countless different ways. Beauty and connection can be found in the cityscape as well as in a rural landscape.
Details for Fellows: Detroit Retreat
- Location: This is the first urban retreat taking place in Detroit. We will be spending our time between and around Wayne State University (accommodations) and the Cass Corridor Commons (meeting space). We will also be visiting initiatives around Detroit that foster connection to land, people and place.
- Accessibility: We ensure that all spaces we go to during the retreat are fully accessible to all participants.
- Lodging: Retreat participants, faculty and staff will be housed in dorms at Wayne State University. If you have any questions regarding accommodations feel free to contact Tatek at tatek@wholecommunities.org.
- Food: Delicious and wholesome family-style meals are provided by People’s Kitchen and other local providers. Our shared meals are a meaningful part of the experience. Specific dietary needs (such as allergies, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian) can be cared for, provided we are informed in advance through our confirmation surveys. We also recognize that this retreat overlaps with Ramadan. If you will be observing Ramadan during the retreat, please be in touch with us so that we can be in conversation about how to incorporate fasting into the retreat experience.
- Getting to the Detroit Retreat: Wayne State University is located about a 30-minute drive from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. We will send more detailed travel instructions after you have registered and we confirm your place in a retreat.
- Communicating your Needs: We strive to make your time here comfortable, and we can accommodate most needs. In the months and weeks leading up to your retreat, we will be asking you about your specific needs and preferences over email and through online surveys. We ask, therefore, that your commitment to this fellowship include a good faith effort to communicate your needs – physical, dietary and otherwise – to our staff. Our ability to care for your safety, well-being and comfort depends on this.