💪 Punching Out Stigmas, When Healing Meets Action: October 2025 Community Impact
💜 Awareness in October
October holds space for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Ostomy Awareness Month, with World Ostomy Day on October 4. Much of this month’s programming focused on safety, confidence-building, and reducing stigma, honoring both survivors and ostomy patients.
It was a month shaped by courage, creativity, and connection. Through advocacy workshops, self-defense, and expressive arts, our community showed up in meaningful ways — proving that healing often grows through the brave moments we choose to share.
We are grateful for every participant who stepped into these spaces, learned something new, or offered their story with honesty. Your strength and your voice matter.
🍲 Nourish & Flourish — October 9 @ 7 PM EST
We welcomed back Nourish & Flourish with Chef Denise, who guided participants through three creative, gut-friendly smoothies:
Dragon Girls
Sweet Potato Pie
Peanut Butter Banana
Using simple ingredients and flexible swaps, she showed how warming spices and fresh or frozen produce can support comfort and overall well-being.
It was a cozy and delicious way to start the month — a reminder that nourishment doesn’t have to be complicated to be healing.
Download the recipes here or Watch the Full Episode on our YouTube Channel
🎨 Healing Through Art with Healing Arts
Two Healing Arts sessions on October 12 and October 23 brought color and calm to the month.
Through paint, movement, and creative prompts, participants — both patients and caregivers — explored how art can speak when words fall short.
As one participant shared:
“Art lets me feel lighter. It’s like opening a window in my mind.”
Each class became a small garden of expression — proof that creativity continues to connect hearts around the world.
🎤 Advocacy With Jim Sliney — October 15 @ 6 PM EST
Jim led a powerful session focused on communication, advocacy styles, and navigating medical conversations with confidence.
Participants learned how to speak with purpose, tell their stories clearly, and advocate for themselves or loved ones within the healthcare system. If you missed our Advocacy Class with Jim Sliney, you can listen to the replay below:
🔗 https://otter.ai/u/WsCGMNTyw9LeximBsJx1mju4dTI?utm_source=copy_url
🥋 Self-Defense & Health Event Community (In-Person) October 18 @ 1–3 PM
In collaboration with Diaz Issinryu and Salsa and Samba our in-person self-defense and health activation in Lawrence, MA brought together education, empowerment, and community connection.
Participants learned practical safety techniques, grounding exercises, and confidence-building movements — all within a supportive and encouraging environment.
Salsa And Samba
Trauma vs Healing Foods
In-Person Self Defense Class
🎗️ World Ostomy Day & Virtual Domestic Violence Awareness Event — October 24 @ 8 PM EST
To honor World Ostomy Day and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we held a virtual event combining self-defense, confidence-building, and meaningful conversation.
In collaboration with Reeds Wellness Lab, attendees shared stories, learned emotional and physical safety tools, and connected around themes of resilience, stigma reduction, and healing. With a powerful story from our DV and Ostomy Survivors attendees left feeling more confident seen and heard.
On October 24, we came together virtually for Punching Out Stigmas, an empowering session blending self-defense, survivor storytelling, and mental health awareness.
Facilitators led participants through techniques that encouraged confidence, emotional grounding, and self-advocacy. Survivors and advocates shared stories of resilience, reminding us that breaking stigmas starts with showing up — for ourselves and one another.
Reed’s Muscle Lab
Coach Reed Reminding us of the connection between confidence and self-defense.Drive4IBD: Forged Pieces
📅 Launching January 7, 2026
⏰ 8:00 PM EST
📍 Virtual Gathering
This group will provide a safe and expressive space for men living with GI conditions and ostomies to share, connect, and build confidence through storytelling, music, and community.
Link to join us: 🔗https://forms.gle/bq9Jt7rgrspccrcH7
🌍 Global Impact: Timothy’s Progress
This month, Timothy — a 5-year-old patient in the Philippines — received both much-needed ostomy supplies and personalized education from our team. With a few simple appliance tips and adjustments, his wear time has already improved — meaning fewer daily changes and far fewer leaks.
His caregivers shared that this shift has brought him more comfort and confidence. These small wins remind us how impactful practical education can be for families navigating complex care.
🇪🇬 Behind the Scenes: Supply Collection Update
Throughout October, our community quietly began helping us gather medical and assistive supplies for an upcoming humanitarian donation.
While the logistics are still being coordinated, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity already shown. Each donation received reflects the heart and compassion of this community.
We’ll share more updates along with photos of the supplies being received as this effort continues to take shape.
🌾 Reflection
October showed us that growth can start with a single seed — a conversation, a shared smile, or a story told from the heart.
Through every class, event, and act of kindness, we continue to live our pillars:
Gather to connect.
Uplift through creativity and compassion.
Trust that healing takes root when we nurture it together.
📅 Coming Up Next Month...
🌾 November invites gratitude and giving:
Healing Arts — Saturday, Nov 8 @ 1PM EST, Thursday Nov 20 @ 7PM EST
Nourish & Flourish — Saturday, Nov 15 @ 10 AM EST
💌 Stay Connected
Thank you for helping us plant seeds of hope and confidence this October. Your presence continues to make our garden grow — one piece, one story, one act of kindness at a time.
📧 info@connectingpcs.org · 📸 Instagram · 📘 Facebook · ▶️ YouTube
💜 The CP Team
