This poem by a woman who attends WISH is not unlike many statements of encouragement and support that women give each other. By making these statements, women are playing a leading role in creating connections and building community. They also appreciate our efforts to nurture this. As one Focus Group participant said,

The activities that are most helpful to me build friendships and bridges among other people to help me with feelings of inadequacy. (Focus Group #2)

Other comments included:

• I know there’s a friendly face in here
• You can have a conversation in here and there is a more cooperative spirit
• I like being a part of WISH
• You can sit around the table and drink tea
• I just like talking with other people
• an ear to bend
• concern from others
• opportunity to share ideas

(Focus Groups #1 and 2)

Collette Schooner, who facilitates an Aboriginal women’s group at WISH, says that the main thing she tries to encourage in her groups is the idea of “sisterhood”. Graduates of her program make very positive comments about it, and have gone on to take up leadership positions in other community groups, so she must be on the right track. When I get worried that the Learning Centre is ‘too comfortable’ or that there is too much socializing and not enough “real” learning, I am reassured by reading Bruce Alexander’s and Gabor Maté’s research that indicates most of the people who come through our doors have missed out on vital connections during their lives, and if we do nothing else but help them to recreate that connection, we are still doing our job.