“This program has helped everyone, especially me. Before this, I didn’t see my self-worth... I’ve had thoughts of suicide. During this program, I’ve wanted to think of myself in a different way. I came to realize my life is important.. I can accept myself as I am. I want to continue to live, with joy that does not die, thanks to this program.” —Rebecca, yogaHOPE TIMBo program trainee in Haiti, 2012

Dear Friends of yogaHOPE,

2012 has been an incredible year for yogaHOPE and the communities of women we serve. Since our first pilot TIMBo (Trauma Informed Mind Body program) training in January, we have seen nearly one hundred women come through our TIMBo Foundations module. Twenty-five of those women include a group of Haitian community leaders in Port-au-Prince, such as Rebecca.

Oppression of women and gender-based violence is a worldwide epidemic. From the U.S. to Haiti and beyond, women are victims of domestic violence, rape, sex slavery, and mutilation. This trauma is often exacerbated through unjust imprisonment, women being thrown from their homes after rape, and a societal view that women are expendable.

Even when women are out of their traumatic environment, the trauma lives in their bodies and manifests in destructive ways. Through yogaHOPE’s TIMBo Program, women begin to understand how trauma lives in their bodies, learn tools for regulating distressing sensations, and find acceptance and compassion for themselves. They begin to recognize their innate wisdom and capacity for empathy, which brings about a desire to help others.

Of the 1600+ women that will receive the TIMBo program in 2013, we estimate at least 250 will want to become certified facilitators who can deliver the TIMBo program to their wider community. The power of this program is in the empowerment of its participants.

The health and healing of this world is dependent on our investment in women.

Your donation today will bring the healing power of TIMBo to women like Rebecca, so they can continue to live with strength and joy.

In 2013, with your support, we will:

• Continue to train TIMBo Facilitators and Facilitator Trainers in Haiti and in the Massachusetts Correctional Institution (MCI) in Framingham, Mass.

• Continue to measure the short-term and long-term effects of the program through rigorous evaluation and research.

• Launch approximately 40 TIMBo groups in tent communities in and around Port-au-Prince, including a pilot group at the Petionville Women’s prison.

• Train a group of 25-30 inmates at MCI-Framingham prison to become TIMBo Facilitators and Trainers.

• Supervise 52 TIMBo MCI Framingham groups run by inmate TIMBo Facilitators, serving 600 women.

Rebecca just completed her TIMBo facilitator training, and is ready to deliver the program to her community. YogaHOPE can only continue to bring our training to women like Rebecca with your support!

• Donate $2500 to pay for one MCI-Framingham inmate’s full TIMBo Facilitator Training

• Donate $1200 to pay for our Haitian Facilitators to deliver a full TIMBo group to 20 women.

• $600 brings a TIMBo lead trainer to Haiti to give the new facilitators continuing support.

• $100 provides training manuals for a six TIMBo trainees.

• $50 gives a program participant a professional yoga mat and other practice tools.

• Please donate any amount you can. Every gift truly helps.

Thank you for being a part of the yogaHOPE community during this exciting period of growth. We can not do this without your support!

Gratefully,

Sue Jones, Founder and Executive Director