Abbey Retreat Centre announced April 13 it is changing its name.
At a ‘No One Dances Alone’ fundraiser at the Haliburton Legion, executive director Barb Smith-Morrison said it will now be known as Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre.
She said it took four months of “listening, creativity, engaging discussions and discernment and so much community support” to come up with the new moniker.
Smith-Morrison said the name is inspired by the two ‘singing’ brooks on either side of the retreat centre “that evoke a sense of deep connection with nature, calm and flowing energy, and the stories or songs that each one of us have to tell about our lives.”
She said the new name reflects the “beautiful” location and peacefulness retreat participants experience.
Chair of the ARC board of directors., Lynda Shephard, added, “this name provides a great foundation to move forward as we continue to create a legacy-making and life-changing impact for future participants facing a cancer diagnosis.”
Shephard said while they share the grounds with Abbey Gardens and have a close working relationship with them, they are two different organizations and their new name will help remove confusion in the community and help both organizations grow.
Located in Haliburton, the centre provides a variety of in-person and online retreats and programs that offer “renewal, companionship, and evidence-informed practices that tend body, mind, and soul in the midst of a cancer diagnosis,” Smith-Morrison said.
“We are unique in our approach, which includes support people or caregivers who also find solace and community with people who are going through the same challenging cancer experience.”
Although there are no fees associated with participating in one of the retreats or online gatherings, Smith-Morrison said it takes a generous and caring community to financially support programs. “We are grateful to all who contribute financially and to our volunteers, who ensure no one walks alone through a cancer experience.”
Last Friday, local bands, the priMates and Adverse Conditions, donated their time to a fundraiser that featured a 50/50 draw, silent auction, baking, a chili dinner and dancing.
Founder John Patterson said, “working alongside a group of dedicated community volunteers, Thea and I were honoured to help in the creation of the Abbey Retreat Centre in 2016. We are thrilled to see how much it has grown and look forward to watching Brooksong expand into our next phase, while continuing the goal of the transformation and strengthening of whole-person cancer care.”
