Weekly Yoga Classes Launch in the Women’s Center

Weekly Yoga Classes Launch in the Women’s Center

The St. Francis House Women’s Center has launched a weekly yoga series hosted in partnership with Hands to Heart Yoga Center – a local nonprofit whose mission is to share the healing practice of yoga with people affected by addiction, poverty & trauma in Greater Boston. The beginner yoga classes take place on Fridays and are open to all guests who identify as women. Participants are encouraged to ‘come as they are,’ no experience is needed and all bodies and ages are welcomed.

Creating a safe space for our guests to relax has always been a goal of the Women’s Center and these yoga classes are no different. Women’s Center Coordinator Jessica Shaughnessy makes note that for many of the attendees this is their first time ever trying yoga. She states, “There’s a lot of bravery that goes along with trying something new and doing something really vulnerable. I’ve been very impressed by the people who have chosen to participate.”

The yoga classes have had a warm reception from guests so far. Saundra Richardson, a guest and recent attendee states, “It was so refreshing. Doing yoga is an easy re-set and restores my energy and balance. I even meditated to the point I was almost asleep – that is how you know it is working.” It is incredibly encouraging to see our guests benefitting from partnerships with fellow nonprofits also looking to support people on their pathway to stability.

On leading the classes, Hands to Heart Yoga instructor Jessica commented, “We gave lots of modifications so it was accessible for everyone – some people were on chairs and some were on the floor.” Ensuring that everyone is able to participate in the way they want to is a priority for these classes. Jessica even made sure to have activities for those who wished to be present without participating in yoga. “We really wanted to create a relaxing environment, so even if a guest doesn’t want to fully participate, I bring some art or activities for them which is another meditative, relaxing way to enjoy the space,” she said. This flexibility allows the instructors to meet guests where they are, wherever that may be.

The Women’s Center underwent some impressive renovations just a few weeks ago and guests and staff members alike are grateful for the updated space and its ability to serve many different functions – it is a yoga studio, a counseling center and so much more. We look forward to seeing the classes continue and the enduring benefits the yoga series provides for our guests.

Meet Briana Schissler, our October Staff Spotlight

How long have you been with St. Francis House? What is your role?

I started at St. Francis House in 2016 as the Clothing Program Supervisor. In August 2018, I left to pursue my Masters in Social Work and returned in June 2020 as a Clinical Supervisor after finishing the program. This September I started a new role as an Access Clinician. It is a newly created position at St. Francis House. In this role, I try to meet guests where they are at and help folks who are looking for services but do not quite match with traditional case management. This includes guests who might not be able to manage the expectations of traditional case management – they can’t make meetings, they are actively using, they have significant mental health issues, or other things going on that make it very difficult for them to be active on a traditional caseload. My role is to try to connect them to services in a very low barrier way.

What part of your job do you enjoy most?

I enjoy working directly with the guests the most. It is what drew me to St. Francis House, what keeps bringing me back, and what has kept me here. I love working with our guests, and I think St. Francis House approaches things differently than many other organizations – we treat guests with unconditional love and support and that is something you sometimes don’t find at other places. It resonates deeply with me. Every guest is greeted and cared for even if they are having a bad day. We welcome them as who they are that day. We don’t make guests jump through hoops to come in, we don’t require a lot of paperwork. We’re low barrier for a reason. We want to be a sanctuary for our guests.

Is there anything you wish people knew about your role or your department?

I wish people knew about how collaborative our work is here, and how we work interdepartmentally. I view all of St. Francis House as my team, and I try to collaborate as much as I can across departments. I don’t think anything I accomplish is a result of what I am doing specifically; it’s all because I have the support of my team, my coworkers, and everyone around me who is also doing the work. I think having the help and support of your coworkers is key, and it allows us to best support the guests.

Is there anything about your job that you find challenging and how do you work through it?

Every day is challenging doing this work – that is just how it is. It is always going to be challenging. Some days are more challenging than others, but I think what makes it worthwhile and worth the challenge is seeing the small accomplishments guests attain for themselves. The support we give the guests every day, just being there for them and offering that unconditional support and love for them is what makes the challenge worthwhile.

Meet Briana Schissler, our October Staff Spotlight

How long have you been with St. Francis House? What is your role?

I started at St. Francis House in 2016 as the Clothing Program Supervisor. In August 2018, I left to pursue my Masters in Social Work and returned in June 2020 as a Clinical Supervisor after finishing the program. This September I started a new role as an Access Clinician. It is a newly created position at St. Francis House. In this role, I try to meet guests where they are at and help folks who are looking for services but do not quite match with traditional case management. This includes guests who might not be able to manage the expectations of traditional case management – they can’t make meetings, they are actively using, they have significant mental health issues, or other things going on that make it very difficult for them to be active on a traditional caseload. My role is to try to connect them to services in a very low barrier way.

What part of your job do you enjoy most?

I enjoy working directly with the guests the most. It is what drew me to St. Francis House, what keeps bringing me back, and what has kept me here. I love working with our guests, and I think St. Francis House approaches things differently than many other organizations – we treat guests with unconditional love and support and that is something you sometimes don’t find at other places. It resonates deeply with me. Every guest is greeted and cared for even if they are having a bad day. We welcome them as who they are that day. We don’t make guests jump through hoops to come in, we don’t require a lot of paperwork. We’re low barrier for a reason. We want to be a sanctuary for our guests.

Is there anything you wish people knew about your role or your department?

I wish people knew about how collaborative our work is here, and how we work interdepartmentally. I view all of St. Francis House as my team, and I try to collaborate as much as I can across departments. I don’t think anything I accomplish is a result of what I am doing specifically; it’s all because I have the support of my team, my coworkers, and everyone around me who is also doing the work. I think having the help and support of your coworkers is key, and it allows us to best support the guests.

Is there anything about your job that you find challenging and how do you work through it?

Every day is challenging doing this work – that is just how it is. It is always going to be challenging. Some days are more challenging than others, but I think what makes it worthwhile and worth the challenge is seeing the small accomplishments guests attain for themselves. The support we give the guests every day, just being there for them and offering that unconditional support and love for them is what makes the challenge worthwhile.