Quality of Life Retreats - 2011 Annual Report
The Quality of Life Retreats are a ministry under the Grow Mission Project of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. These retreats are a ministry for people living with HIV/AIDS. The retreats began in 1988, and as of 2011, we have held 87 retreats and served more than 3,408 participants.
The objective of these retreats are to provide a safe, supportive environment where participants can be fully themselves, free of fears and inhibitions, and can deal openly with their deepest concerns. This is a supportive ministry to individuals who many times have experienced discrimination and rejection. It is a chance to get away, get together, interact, share and learn the techniques and attitudes that are effective in dealing with the journey and issue of long-term survival. The participants invariably say, in their evaluation of each Retreat, that “it is so good to be with people who understand me and want to help me be who I am.”
During three 2011 retreats in February, June and December, we served 109 registered HIV-positive participants, with a volunteer leadership staff of 29. A demographic survey (to which all participants responded) indicates: 46 males, 49 females and 2 transgendered persons. Regarding sexual orientation, we served 19 homosexual persons, 53 heterosexual persons, 4 bisexual persons and 1 Lesbian person. Racial responses indicated 8 Caucasians, 85 African Americans, 2 Latinos and 2.2 Native Americans. Ages ranged from 18 to 69, and some young participants were born with HIV. We offer interpreters to help us better serve special needs populations. We also have a unique supportive working relationship with the Veterans population.
Retreats last 4 days, but due to inclement weather, the February retreat was cancelled on the second day. These Retreats are an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual encounters. It is a participative learning experience which involves both individual reflection and group exploration. These retreats are designed to address persons affected by HIV/AIDS from a variety of faith traditions and of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, different gender, and different sexual orientation.
The retreats are typically held four times a year for three days in February, June, September and December. However, a budget shortfall forced us to cancel the September 2011 retreat. Retreats are usually held at the Washington (D.C.) Retreat House, West River Center, and Manidokan Camp and Retreat Center, although suitable other locations have also been used.
At each retreat a bond of community is established very quickly. Activities include education from plenary speakers, reflection groups, worship, a healing service, arts and crafts, bingo, a festive dinner and a fun “talent/no talent” show.
Topics explored are driven by participant needs and include; addressing the stigma of living with HIV, body image changes, communications, accessing sexual health services, gender roles; aging with HIV,
We have an HIV Registered Nurse on site who provides support and prevention/medication education. We also offer alternative and complementary therapies such as Yoga, Art, Relaxation, Dietary, Reiki, Massage Therapy Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous 12-step meetings are also offered.
We sent out introduction letters and a brochure to the Baltimore, Western and Washington regions. Our Strategic Plan calls for us to educate the BWC about Quality of Life Retreats; so we will send out this material to the rest of the conference in the future.
Raymond Shattuck, Chairperson, and Lance Hogue, RN, both have joined the State of Maryland’s Community Faith Based Advisory Board, representing the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Both board members also attended the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Celebration event in October, held at Foundry UMC in Washington, D.C. It recognized the conference’s leading contributions to the fund and informed attendees about the “20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World" campaign.
Submitted by the Quality of Life Retreats Board of Directors and HIV-AIDS Team
Raymond Shattuck, Chair
Loretta Anders, Vice Chair
