Programs
Programs
New! Please join Parker Palmer for a retreat and conference on American democracy.
If you believe in the promise of democracy and lament the ways ours is falling short; if you want to rethink citizenship at a time when divisiveness is weakening “we the people” while other powers run the show; if you want to renew your own sense of the common good—and learn how to help others do the same in the places where you live and work—we’d like you to join us. —Parker Palmer
Click here for dates and details.
Since 1997, the Center has helped foster personal and professional renewal through retreats that offer the time and space to slow down and reflect on life and work. Retreats called Courage to Teach®, Courage to Lead®, and related programs are based on the Circle of Trust® approach, which is grounded in our core values and distinguished by principles and practices intended to create a process of shared exploration. These programs make use of poetry and stories, solitude, reflection, and deep listening, and are led by skilled facilitators. Developed with Parker J. Palmer and the Fetzer Institute, they were initially created to renew, sustain, and inspire public school teachers. While educators remain at the heart of our mission, we also work with people in other serving professions such as healthcare, ministry, and nonprofit leadership.
Our programs renew heart, mind, and spirit. Participants report a deepened sense of purpose and meaning, expanded capacity to listen and be present, an improved ability to build trustworthy relationships, more courage to live authentically, renewed passion for work and a deeper commitment to serving others.
Center for Courage & Renewal Programs
Our work is a shared enterprise of the Center, affiliate organizations, and local facilitators. Over a decade of partnership has demonstrated a fruitful synergy between the Center's capacity to prepare and nurture facilitators and their capacity to implement this work in a wide range of settings.
Skilled facilitators are at the heart of creating a safe and trustworthy space for participants in Circle of Trust® retreats and programs. Creating Circles of Trust: Facilitator Preparation Program is a signature program of the Center and is one of the Center's most important functions.
Local Courage & Renewal Programs
The 150 Courage & Renewal Facilitators, in 29 states, Canada, and Australia, have led hundreds of retreats and short-term events for K-12 public school educators, healthcare practitioners, clergy and congregational leaders and nonprofit and community leaders and others who wish to live and work more wholeheartedly. Please visit the Events Calendar to learn about program opportunities.