Windcall 2016 Summer Campaign

A few years ago, I was feeling really burned out.  I had been organizing for a decade and even though I had just won a huge victory, I felt exhausted and lost.

Then, I was awarded a Windcall Residency.  The Windcall Institute, a foundation which is dedicated to improving organizers staying power and preventing burn out, gave me 3 weeks off in the beautiful, remote, Toandos Peninsula in Washington State. 

Once there, I began to recharge.  I slept a lot due to exhaustion.  Once I got over that, I was overcome by sadness.  I felt unappreciated and unseen.  

During an excursion to the small village of La Push on the Quilete Indian Reservation on the Western side of the Olympic Peninsula, I took a walk along the rocky beach with two other residents.  We found a nice spot on the shore and started talking about our work lives as the waves crashes on the misty, rocky beach.

Though we all came from different parts of the movement (labor, community justice and immigration reform) we all suffered from the same tiring symptoms.  We all felt invisible and unsupported.

I am sure that you have felt unappreciated too.  It is a terrible, draining feeling.

We talked and listened to each other.  We promised to make sure that we would return to our work and we would be different.  We pledged to “be there” for other organizers.  

As we talked and made our pledge, the sun broke through the clouds.  The mysterious sea stacks emerged from the mist.  I took a deep breath and I felt proud.  

The Windcall Institute had heard me.  I finally began to bask in the glow.

Because of this experience and others like it, I am committed to supporting other social justice organizers.

That is why I am asking you to support the Windcall Insititute by donating now.  

Your contribution will go to giving a residency to an organizer who is working hard to build grassroots power and who's work is certainly not appreciated enough.