The Arrive Program


The ARRIVE program grew out of Hala's graduate thesis at Pacifica. It is a movement and yoga based program, currently being taught at Central Juvenile Hall, that integrates the tools of Somatic Experiencing in order to address issues and symptoms of trauma often present in incarcerated youth. All together, these tools help participants remain calm and centered through even the most upsetting situations, making them less likely to re-offend and helping them become peaceful and empowered members of their community

We have just completed a 9 week pilot program that was a huge success! The girls reported having an easier time dealing with anger and depression as well as having tools to deal with their court cases. The officers report less acting out and calmer behavior on the days when we have yoga class. We plan to do more in depth assessment as well as to implement a teacher training for yoga teachers interested in working with these youth; and we are currently working on getting funding so that our vision of making this a national program can be realized.

OUR VISION

A world where our youth are able to heal their wounds and be released from the grip of their traumas in order to stop the cycle of violence in our families, community and planet.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to implement ARRIVE program in juvenile facilities and camps throughout America. This program will help facilitate the release of traumatic patterns of behavior (violence, crime, acting out, addiction) and affect (anger, depression, anxiety) in juvenile offenders and give them tools that are easily accessible which will help them be Embodied, Empowered, Connected, Transformed and Integrated. As a result they will be able to self-regulate and thus are less likely to re-offend and more likely to be peaceful and empowered creators of their life and members of their community.

This program is being supported by Assemblies in Motion an expressive arts program created by Leila Steinberg. She has been working in the prisons and halls for over 20 years. Her work has transformed and saved many lives.


The name, "ARRIVE," tells us how vital it is to arrive to ourselves and our community of other people, other species and nature, in order to heal and grow. ARRIVE stands for: Awareness, Re-membering, Revolution, Integration, Vitality, and Enlightenment. Everything begins with Awareness; this causes a Re-membering or re-connection to the parts of ourselves that we have split off from. This can results in a Revolution- a shift in the way we perceive and experience ourselves; which creates a greater sense of Integration as we become more whole and connected. A result of acknowledging split off parts of ourselves, and building a sense of Self based on a holistic expression of Who We Are, is increased Vitality and aliveness. When we are more alive, we are naturally more aware of connection and meaning, our intuition is sharper and we are able to be more compassionate and loving; this is Enlightenment!