CHHSM-Led Retreat at UCAN Offers Opportunity to Link Renewal and Restorative Justice

Staff members at UCAN in Chicago usually find the day-to-day realities of direct client service rewarding, but the work also can be exhausting. A CHHSM-led Nollau To You retreat April 16 helped staff members connect with their spirituality and professional purpose in support of their work with youth, families, and the community.

“Purpose and Peace: A one-day retreat on renewal and restorative justice” examined the intersection of peace and community transformation, with the morning devoted to the workplace wisdom of aligning spirituality with professional purpose, and the afternoon given over to restorative justice in the workplace. The retreat was developed by CHHSM’s the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, associate for advocacy and leadership development, and the Rev. Dr. Zaria Davis, associate for membership and engagement, and led by Davis.

“I enjoyed both aspects of the spiritual renewal and restorative justice discussions,” said Nichelle Simmons, UCAN’s associate vice president for program support and a CHHSM board member. “Our program serves adolescent parenting youth in care, which can be challenging due to the trauma experience and developmental stages of the youth, and the lack of compassion on behalf of the systems that we access for support. Exploring our personal motivations, remaining vigilant, and discussing ideas for renewing our faith were the best takeaways from this session.”

The retreat topics were accompanied by activities and discussions to help attendees receive, recharge and reconnect to each other and their work. One of the most meaningful exercises was called the “I Am Cards.” Davis passed a bag around containing cards with art on the front and a description on the back. Each participant took a card, reflected on the art and description, and then underlined or highlighted words, phrases or sentences that resonated with them about their identity. Each person then introduced themselves and shared a word or phrase from their card.

“I enjoyed the safe space to share my beliefs, and I was impressed by the sessions in which we shared out about the cards that we chose,” said Evelyn Wetherspoon, UCAN’s education coach. “My card was ‘authenticity,’ and it still resonates with me to this day.”

For Stephanie Franklin, senior vice president of UCAN’s Family and Transition Services, the day was one of enlightenment and renewal. “Our team wanted to bring everyone together to bring us back to our ‘why’ and celebrate each other’s gifts that we all bring to this work every day,” Franklin said. “We each have a special why and way that we go about serving others, and it was nice to sit down in a structured way to talk about it together. I learned things about our team that I did not know!”

Prior to the retreat, some team members had expressed hesitation. “A few staff expressed concern of what to expect from a CHHSM-led retreat, and wondered if it was going to be presented as ‘heavy religious,’ and that there would be practices forced upon them,” said Simmons. 

“The feedback from the group was very positive,” Simmons added, noting that the fear was disarmed and replaced by gratitude because of the retreat’s welcoming environment. 

“I enjoyed learning about CHHSM and what they believe,” said Wetherspoon. “I really liked the fact that a reverend facilitated the event. I have never worked at a company before that was spiritual minded, and it is truly a blessing.”

Franklin noted the challenge presented during the restorative justice portion of the retreat. “For me, as a senior leader within UCAN, I found the recommendations significant on the restorative approach to policy making,” she said, “ensuring that we bring all voices together and create policies and practices that do no harm and support our teams and mission collectively. Rev. Dr. Davis used examples of how to create policies with compassion.”

The retreat “was a great opportunity to connect with our direct service providers at UCAN,” said Davis. “They are amazing leaders having impact throughout Illinois. The retreat was designed to explore the things that they face internally and externally as a network. The participants were engaging throughout and not only left with some tools, but also action steps.”

The main takeaway from the retreat for Franklin was simple: “That being in community with each other is essential; remote communication has its place, but nothing takes the place of warm, human connection.”

For Simmons, it was the hope and challenge for the leadership team “to carry these discussions and reflections into our smaller individual team meetings and one-on-one sessions with staff.”

Wetherspoon was reflective following the retreat, and said she took from the retreat the concept of being “present and aware of my surroundings, and of others’ beliefs.”

“I am honored to be a part of such an amazing group of people who all have such a heart for the youth that we service,” she added. “I feel like I am at the right place. Thank you!”