The HeartWell Institute

11/18/2025

Dear Community,

As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves moving quickly, juggling work, family, responsibilities, emotions, and everything this time of year brings. It can be a season of meaning and connection, but it can also feel stressful, rushed, or overwhelming.

This year, HeartWell is offering a gentle alternative:

A Season for Presence: a four-part online workshop series designed to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what nourishes you.

Each session offers simple mindfulness practices that invite less stress and more joy during a full season.

Come to one or come to all. No prior experience is needed.

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A Pre-Thanksgiving Pause

Wednesday, Nov 19, 6:30–8:30 PM

A grounding session to steady yourself before the holiday week and reconnect with gratitude and calm.

Register Now: 
https://www.heartwellinstitute.org/event-details/a-pre-thanksgiving-pause

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Starting December with Presence

Wednesday, Dec 4 · 6:30–8:30 PM

A gentle beginning to the month, offering space for clarity and ease before schedules fill.

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The Gift of Loving-Kindness

Wednesday, Dec 11 · 6:30–8:30 PM

Warm, heart-centered practices that nurture compassion for ourselves and others — especially meaningful during the holiday season.

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A Mindful Beginning

Wednesday, Jan 8 · 6:30–8:30 PM

A new year workshop to step into 2025 with presence, intention, and steadiness rather than urgency or pressure.

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Cost

To keep these offerings accessible while supporting sustainability:

Free for city of Worcester residents

Suggested donation $15 for participants outside Worcester

If cost is a barrier for anyone, please reach out — everyone is welcome.

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Who These Workshops Are For

Working adults, caregivers, educators, community members, health and human service workers, parents — and anyone seeking a gentler, steadier season.

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What to Expect

• Guided mindfulness and grounding practices

• Optional journaling or quiet reflection

• Simple, everyday tools to reduce stress

• A welcoming online space

Come exactly as you are. No preparation needed.

⸻

We hope these gatherings offer moments of calm, connection, and renewal during a time that can feel full.

With warmth,

The HeartWell Institute

A grounding session to steady yourself before the holiday week and reconnect with gratitude and calm.

11/18/2025

OUR NEXT TRAUMA TRAINING TUESDAY:
TRAUMA IN SCHOOLS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 12-2pmET

In August, Dr. Jennifer Herring introduced how trauma can shape students’ learning, behavior, and sense of self. In Part 2, she’ll expand the conversation—exploring how schools and educators can recognize the impact of s*xual trauma and create environments that support healing and belonging. Drawing on her research and lived experience, Dr. Herring will offer insights into what it means to build safety, compassion, and connection across educational settings.

Dr. Jennifer Herring, Executive Director of Worcester Education Collaborative, is a survivor of childhood trauma and researcher in the field of supporting s*xual trauma survivors in schools. In her role at WEC, Jennifer works collaboratively with community partners in creating high quality, safe, and supportive learning opportunities for all students in the city. Jennifer is also a trauma healing coach and adjunct professor, teaching through a lens of racial equity and belonging. She is the author of Sexual Trauma in Educational Settings.

Join us on Zoom. (No need to RSVP.):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81768933438?pwd=am9HZmxxSkg1TmRDTDBFRzMzdjlnUT09

Sign up for notices about Trauma Training Tuesdays:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/M9N2ExV

WorcesterACTs.org

11/17/2025

This map shows the average annual sunshine hours worldwide

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11/17/2025

Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to new experiences, thoughts, and behaviors. It’s how we learn, heal, and grow - at any age.

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
1️⃣ New Experiences = New Signals – When you try something new, your brain fires fresh electrical pathways.
2️⃣ “Neurons That Fire Together, Wire Together” – Repeated actions strengthen these connections, making them habits.
3️⃣ Old Pathways Fade – Habits you stop using slowly weaken (this is called synaptic pruning).
4️⃣ Emotional States Matter – Curiosity, safety, and repetition increase the likelihood of lasting change.
5️⃣ You’re Not Stuck – With intention and practice, you can literally rewire how you think, feel, and act.

💙🧠 https://www.rewiringselflimitingbehaviors.com

11/17/2025

THE TRAUMA OF THE GENDER BINARY
Many of us have been taught that you are either a boy or a girl. We have also been taught that s*xual orientation is a choice with moral implications. Society has constructed rigid boxes that limit expressions of self and love. The reality is that biological s*x, gender expression, and s*xual orientation all exist on a continuum. What harm do we do to our selves and each other when people are forced into a box? Josh speaks to the trauma that comes from conforming to social norms and the endless possibilities that arise when we are allowed to be authentic selves.
https://www.worcesteracts.org/node/28

Sign up for notices about future Trauma Training Tuesdays:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/M9N2ExV

WorcesterACTs.org