Blooming in Community
Springtime often reminds me of what it means to feel connected to everything around me. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for having survived frigid winter colds and snow to witness the blooming of a new season. Spring ushers in renewed hope and a sense of purpose as I watch the grass grow green and trees flower their branches with new life.
I often ponder the critical role and purpose of trees in our world. They endure every season, adjust to the changing environment, and still manage to offer us life. When viewed from above, trees may seem isolated; however, they are linked subterraneously and intertwined with all else. These plants remind us that community makes it possible for us to be where we are – both independent and bolstered by others – as we proceed through our journey. This is what Gilda’s Club has become for cancer patients: a tree-like stabilizing force.
Gilda’s Club is rooted in community, just like a tree. We provide support offerings and leverage the strength of our dedicated volunteers to create meaningful programs. Whether at our physical clubhouse or online, we meet people no matter where they are in their cancer journey. Our members arrive feeling alone yet soon find their place in this community full of life, love, and growth.
“Community is a place where the connections felt in our hearts make themselves known in the bonds between people, and where the tuggings and pullings of those bonds keep opening our hearts.”
Parker J. Palmer
Below are a few highlighted programs to interact with your community at Gilda’s Club Minnesota:
GCTC Classes and Groups
Meaning-Centered Support – Online with Quentin Gabor
- Fridays, April 7 – May 26 from 3:30pm – 5:00pm
- Meaning-Centered Support is for individuals living with life-limiting, advanced and chronic cancer diagnoses. In this 8-week series, we will focus on the importance of creating, experiencing, and keeping a sense of meaning in life. Together we will explore how sources of meaning foster resilience to find new ways to face the challenges caused by illness. Previous group members shared they were surprised by the insight gained through the process and challenged to shift their outlook and attitude toward life and end-of-life.
- Participation requires a commitment to try to attend all sessions. Limited to 6-8 participants.
- Anyone interested in participating must complete a brief phone intake process. Please sign up online and a follow-up call will be made to you in advance of the first session.
Gilda’s Goes Walking – Gilda on the Go with GCTC Staff
- Wednesdays, May 3 – June 28 from 9:30am – 10:30am at each of the following locations:
- Saint Paul: Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul
- Minnetonka: Ridgedale Mall, Minnetonka
- Bloomington: Normandale Lake, Bloomington
- Join us as we walk around in the community and socialize with other members. Look out for our red Gilda’s Club Minnesota t-shirts! Meeting location details below.
- Harriet Island Regional Park Meeting Spot: At the Paddleford Riverboats near the west parking lot.
- Ridgedale Mall Meeting Spot: Meet at the mall entrance near J.C. Penney.
- Normandale Lake Meeting Spot: Near the boat launch on the lake’s west side off Chalet Road.
- Suggested supplies: Water bottle, walking shoes, sunscreen, hat, walking stick (optional)
Evening of Remembrance – In-person with GCTC Staff
- Thursday, May 25 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
- Gilda’s Club community members and their friends and family are invited to join us in remembering and honoring those we’ve lost in the last year – whether from cancer or something else. All guests are encouraged to bring photos or memorabilia to honor your loved one’s life and place them on the Remembrance Tables. RSVP required.
Redefining Identity: Exploring Identity After a Cancer Diagnosis – Online with Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT
- Wednesdays, April 19 – May 10 or May 24 – June 14 from 11:00am – 12:30pm
- In this 4-week group, grief therapist Brittany Squillace, MA, LMFT, will guide you through discussions and provide education to begin understanding:
- Identity Loss and Current Narratives
- Ask “Who Am I?”
- Externalization
- Rewrite Your Narrative
Birds and Brew – Gilda on the Go with Lisa Keitel, Master Naturalist
- Monday, June 12 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm – Westwood Hills Nature Center in Saint Louis Park
- Join us for a Birds and Brew field trip to Westwood Hills Nature Center!
- We will meet on the sidewalk between the parking lot and the main nature center building. Look for our red Gilda’s t-shirts
- Indoor restrooms are available at the nature center building until sunset. No restrooms or port-a-potties on the trails.
- The trails are flat and paved or boardwalks.
- We will walk 3 to 5 minutes, then stop for time to watch and listen to the birds.
- We may make 3 to 4 short walks and stops, depending on the mobility and stamina of the group. We will pace the walk to meet your needs.
- Please feel free to bring a chair or stool to rest during our stops. The park benches are not very convenient – too far apart. (Please let us know if you expect to need a chair but don’t have a portable camp chair. We can bring one for you.)
- We will be outside from 6:00pm until around 8:30pm. Please dress accordingly considering the weather.
- Please bring binoculars if you have them. There will be some binoculars available for you to use.
In addition to our other amazing program offerings, Gilda’s Club is starting a new Cancer Companion Matching Program. The Cancer Companion Matching Program is a peer matching program where members who are interested in connecting with another member with the same or similar cancer type can be paired. If you would like more information about the program, please call or email Shaunequa at Shaunequa.james@gildasclubmn.org.
Sign up for these upcoming program offerings on our virtual program offerings page and in-person program offerings page, in your class registration account, or call us at 612-227-2147.
With love and gratitude,
Shaunequa James, MSW, LGSW
Program Director
612-227-2147 office | 952-767-7627 direct
10560 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka MN 55305
