06/04/2026
Hello PFA family!
It is very rare that I can sit down in June to write a newsletter, but I have the opportunity today so I decided to write a little something for all of you.
This year I have been focused on observing the similarity in rhythms between our lives and what happens in the land, with other creatures. May was also the month where we focused on mental health awareness.
Not many of you know that part of the reason for starting Power for All, 17 years ago was because in my adolescent years I found nature through Outward Bound and this changed the trajectory of my life from seeing myself as a "defiant" teenager to a leader. Back then I did not know that my defiance was a nervous system in a protective state of fight and flight.
In the Outward Bound summer program, it was the first time that my "defiance" and desire for "autonomy" was seen as leadership. I remember holding on to this for the rest of my life.
In the Outward Bound program we lived outside for an entire summer, we had to get our water from a well, use an outhouse, live in tents, cook as a group of teenagers, take care of camp, etc. The friends I made out there and how I experienced being able to be my authentic self was healing. Nature facilitated these experiences for me as I believe that my nervous system was in recovery when we were outside, it was not in flight, it was not in fight. It was resting, it was refuelling.
Fast forward many decades, I still continue to see the holistic power that nature can have in our bodies and or brains as we process trauma and seek to have our mental health flourish again.
In a recent publication from the Children's Nature Network, through a collection of studies, they were able to come up with this illustration of how nature heals all areas of our being. The findings go even further to show evidence of how Adverse Childhood Experiences can be processed and healed through nature. Nature provides resilience, regulation and recovery! (See infographic attached)
The literature showed that for many children and youth who come in touch with nature, this can be their pathway for healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences. (PDF attached)
This last Spring, the children and our team engaged in a variety of community and land based activities from learning about the seasons, the cycles of life for different animals to engaging in community and pausing to become aware of how each activity felt in their bodies, developing greater interoceptive awareness. These are all key in continuing to develop resilience, regulation and recovery.
As we prepare for the summer, we hope that many children, youth and adults can join us as we experience the water, the lakes, the rivers around us through paddling sports and games to connect with the land. Please share with others about our work and send your referrals for the last seats available to go to clients who would benefit from the work we do (poster attached). We got some bursaries available for families who do not have coverage for occupational therapy services. You can provide referrals by going to our website at:
https://powerforallats.com/referrals/
You can also share my contact information with clients who wish to reach out and use their occupational therapy funding. This season we also recruit many volunteers, no experience needed as we train everyone.
I hope that the healing power of nature surrounds you and brings you all rest, joy and recovery.
Alex
https://powerforallats.com/
