Naděje Shelter

By Naděje Bolzanova team and Jenny Rassaby Ryan, IWAP President

What were IWAP members carrying, in overflowing shopping bags, to the Naděje shelter on Bolzanova near Hlavní nádraží at the beginning of October? Our bags were far bulkier than our usual bundles of freshly cut homemade sandwiches. This time was special. We were providing food supplies for a retreat therapy program for young homeless people.

From Thursday, October 4 to Sunday, October 7, two group leaders from Naděje took eight young clients to the “Spáleniště” cottage in the Jizerské hory mountains, where they participated in a therapy program called “Cesta Hrdiny – The Heroes’ Journey”. This transformational program was a four-day adventurous trip into the inner world of participants. It explored their fantasies and examined their personal strengths and weaknesses. Through different methods, such as visualization and imagination, they were able to reflect on important life issues including where they are at in life now, which challenges they are facing, and what they can do to respond constructively. In mythology, heroes’ journeys tell stories of trials, challenges, crises and transformation.

The program was short but meaningful, with individually-centered activities, stories, talking, listening and trips within the local area. After arrival and settling into their accommodation, the group was given an introduction to Cesta Hrdiny, and participants talked about their hopes and expectations. The next day included therapeutic activities and a trip up the Šibeniční vrch hill where they held a “council”, with reflections and exercises aimed at building trust.

In the evening the group prepared and ate dinner together, and after dinner they all made masks. Masks are highly symbolic, as forms of protection, disinhibition, invisibility or play, and each mask is unique.

Saturday featured more therapy followed by an outdoor program. In the evening participants painted their masks and the intensive therapy was brought to conclusion. On the final day, participants cleaned the cottage, shared lunch and then set off back to Prague.

IWAP provided nourishment and treats, and the Heroes’ Journey program gave plenty of food for thought. The team from Naděje at Bolzanova expressed thanks for IWAP’s donations of provisions for the trip, and gave permission for us to share these photos.