Events

A Circle for Restoration and Belonging

Save My Spot
August 23, 2025
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
EST

Date: TBD

Event Format: 

ZOOM
FREE

Many individuals and families are living through the strain of potential dislocation—the fear, the anxiety, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. As policies shift and communities feel the pressure of immigration enforcement and systemic inequities, the emotional toll deepens.

This Community Circle is a space to breathe. A space to reflect. A space to restore.

We gather to support one another—community leaders, advocates, neighbors, and residents—especially those holding space for others impacted by these challenges. Whether you’re on the frontlines of support or carrying the weight personally, this circle invites you to reconnect to your own well-being.This space is for anyone impacted by or actively engaged in supporting others through immigration-related stress—whether you’re a caregiver, peer support worker, faith leader, family member, or concerned neighbor.

We draw from restorative practices, ancestral knowledge, and cultural traditions that sustain us—tools that remind us of who we are, where we come from, and how we continue forward together.  You don’t have to carry this alone.  Come as you are. Leave with a little more light, a little more strength, and a sense of shared humanity.

In this circle, we will

  • Ground ourselves through breath and presence

  • Acknowledge the emotional weight of immigration-related stress

  • Reflect on cultural and spiritual practices that restore and sustain us

  • Offer each other compassion, community, and care

  • Reclaim joy, strength, and connection amid uncertainty

  • Thulani DeMarsay, PhD

    Thulani is the visionary founder and Chief Impact Officer of Sankofa Institute. As a person in long-term recovery, she is deeply committed to supporting others on their journey toward recovery. A seasoned facilitator, Thulani excels in group dynamics and in creating experiential learning environments that fosters individual and group transformation.

    For nearly a decade, Thulani served as a senior facilitator and consultant for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), where she delivered training programs, provided mentorship, and coached the statewide facilitation team. She also developed comprehensive training materials and played a key role in the creation of the statewide recovery coach learning community. Additionally, Thulani served as the lead consultant for the Recovery Education Collaborative (REC) in Boston, MA where she was responsible for strategic planning, project oversight, workplan development and DEI initiatives.

  • Octavia Hendricks

    Octavia Hendricks, a person in long-term mental wellness recovery, brings over 15 years of experience as a seasoned facilitator of transformational learning experiences. She skillfully facilitates self-development and self-discovery workshops across South Africa and the United States. As a senior facilitator at Sankofa, Octavia leads training sessions and facilitates healing circle gatherings, creating spaces for both healing and personal growth.

    Her extensive corporate background further enhances her capabilities, allowing her to develop creative project scopes, define clear objectives, and effectively coordinate collaborative efforts. This ensures that every project she leads is not only impactful but also aligns with her deep commitment to holistic well-being.