Alongside our well-known Birth Justice and Youth Enrichment branches, Rootead offers a range of adult-focused programs designed to help community members process stress, build community, and prioritize their own physical and mental well-being through our Community Healing Branch. 

Community Healing programs provide dedicated space where adults can step away from daily responsibilities through specialized programs such as Men’s Yoga, Adult Drum & Dance, grief circles, open mic nights, and Hip Hop Kettlebell.

“It is definitely important to offer healthy healing spaces for adults; we need outlets too,” said Adia Brown, Marketing Lead. “We often find ourselves caught up in work stress, financial stress, family responsibilities, and the demands of everyday life, and too often we neglect making time and space for our own well being.”

These adult-focused offerings are central to our mission of cultivating community-wide wellness. By offering a variety of therapeutic, physical, and creative pathways, the center ensures that every adult can find a healing practice that feels natural and supportive.

“Knowing that Rootead prioritizes programming for adults is important because there is a place you can go where you can take a moment for yourself,” said Brown. “You can come to yoga and slow down, dance and release some energy, or sit in a grief circle and process something you may be carrying. Sometimes you just need somewhere to go where you don’t have to be the parent, the employee, etc. You can just come as you are and have a space for yourself.”

The benefits of adult healing go far beyond the individual, creating a positive, multi-generational trickle-down effect that directly impacts children and the broader household. When parents and caregivers are given the space to recharge, they are better equipped to show up for their families with patience, clear communication, and resilience, which is another important reason the organization offers these programs, said Brown.

“One of the things that stands out to me is the visible emotional release that happens after class,” said Rianna Clay, class facilitator. “We often call the dance and drum studio our playground because as adults, we can forget the aspect of play and become so focused on responsibilities. When we allow ourselves to play, we welcome creativity, resiliency, and adaptability.”

These healing spaces also serve as vibrant cultural hubs where participants celebrate diversity and build strong social networks. In the dance and drum studio, classes are intentionally designed to be inclusive, incorporating bilingualism and celebrating the historical connections of diaspora dancing and drumming.

“As an Afrolatina facilitator, I see my classes as a space where adults can welcome diversity, express their cultures, and accept themselves for where they are at,” said Clay. “I try to make the space inclusive and let people know that a mix of cultures is supported in diaspora dancing and drumming.”

Beyond celebrating cultural heritage and diversity, these healing spaces encourage participants to build lasting connections and support networks with one another. 

“I also see participants building friendships through shared experiences, sometimes it is through connecting to someone who shares their culture, and other times it is simply through the curiosity and desire to learn more about themselves and others,” said Clay. “Having a community that not only accepts your culture but also supports you in navigating it is meaningful, especially for people who are new to the space or are still understanding where they come from.”

To us, community wellness includes a variety of programs and opportunities to meet the diverse needs of the people in the community.

“We’re creating different opportunities for people to find what works for them, have an outlet, connect with others, and take care of themselves in ways that feel natural to them,” said Brown.

Adults interested in participating in our Community Healing programs can find class schedules and registration details on our Community Healing page.

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