How The Donkey Sanctuary inspired Healing Havens

One of the experiences that inspired me to create healing havens was when I went to visit The Donkey Sanctuary near Guelph Ontario. The Donkey Sanctuary takes in donkeys that have been abused, neglected or simply needed to be re-homed. Their motto is: We'll never turn a donkey away. I thought that was so beautiful. The donkeys seemed so happy. There was a network of volunteers who worked on the lovely property.

The Donkey Sanctuary

Shortly after that visit, I thought, 'Why isn't there a place like that for people?' I came to realize that my healing journey from some early childhood experiences didn't have to be spread out over a 35 year period if there had been a true sanctuary where I could have gone for an extended period of time to do the deeper healing work that I needed to do. I was also aware that so many others could use such a place.

For years I was envisioning such a place.

I ended up creating one in my very own home and came up with the name: Healing Havens ~ portals within homes, farms, cottages, apartments, etc. where one can offer a safe space for someone in need.

During this time, I had also been exploring my Jewish roots and had come across this verse from Leviticus 25:35:

If your brother becomes poor and cannot support himself among you,

you shall support his as though he were a stranger and a sojourner,

and he shall live with you.”

Reading this was like a confirmation that Healing Havens was much more than just a good idea, it was a biblical commandment. It was as though the entire issue of homelessness and the solution was right there in scripture for all to see. As more people turn their spaces into healing havens that would inspire and encourage others to do the same ~ the ultimate manifestation of chesed (kindness) ~ literally saving someone's life by opening one's heart and door to those in need (and there are many in need including those who may have a roof over their head but not a 'hand to hold' ~ so many suffer alone in their trauma, their loneliness).

Living Happily Ever After

I had often felt in exploring my Jewish roots that there was a certain component of community that was missing; there were a lot of community meals, prayers, lectures, coming together when someone passed away or got married but I hadn't experienced working with others on a common healing the world project (Tikkun Olam). The Jewish philosopher Martin Buber summarized much of what I was thinking about when he said, “A community of faith can only truly exist when it is a community of work.”

I felt that Healing Havens could truly bring our community together by finally solving one of the most serious issues in the world ~ the true tragedy of homelessness.

If you are reading this, you are being invited to become part of what we are envisioning to be a world wide network of safe, loving, healing spaces many who are looking for such a place.

Teamwork makes the dream work.