LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 10 Creative Healing Connections: Changing Lives Through Community In 1998, a not-for-profit organization by the name of Creative Healing Connections was established in Sara- nac Lake, serving underprivileged women in the great- er Adirondack region who live with chronic physical and mental health conditions. Founders Naj Wikoff, Fran Yardley and Peggy Lynn came together in response to several women friends who were diagnosed with aggressive forms of cancer. They were struck by the lack of support programs to help them navigate the mental, emotional and physical challenges of a cancer journey. In response, they found- ed Creative Healing Connections. A philosophy of healing and connection At the heart of the organization is an understanding of the impact of nature, art, and self-care to quality of life and healing. They also understood the power of women sharing with each other every success, no mat- ter how small, as a source of inspiration and strength. Taking these understandings to heart, Creative Healing Connections ran nature, art and healing retreats for women on a healing journey with cancer. Over time, it became clear that women veterans living with the physical, mental and emotional trauma of serving our country were another under-served group. So, retreats dedicated to serving and supporting women veterans were added. The retreats and programs offered through Creative Healing Connections are designed to foster a network of support and a sense of community among wom- en attendees, women who share a first-hand under- standing of each other's challenges and experiences. Learning new self-care skills, expressing themselves through creating art, and being in nature provides a context that encourages women to share their stories, to develop bonds with each other. All retreats are led by wellness professionals and artists — visual artists, musicians, writers and storytellers — from the greater Adirondack region. Today, Creative Healing Connections continues to serve women veterans and women living with cancer, as well as women with other chronic conditions. They also try to be attentive to any emerging needs and groups of women who are not receiving the support they need in the greater Adirondacks. Since the COVID pandemic, the significant increase in chronic mental health con- ditions such as depression and anxiety have been well documented. It has led to a corresponding increase in retreat and program attendance from women living with these conditions. A more integrated approach As an expression of Creative Healing Connections' commitment to the women they serve, they introduced an integrated program approach in 2025 that supports the attendees more effectively between retreats. At- tendees commit to a year-long journey that begins with a three-day retreat. During these particular retreats, attendees are intro- duced to personal wellness planning tools. At the end of the retreat, with the support of a mentor and guide, each woman creates her own personal wellness plan with one realistic, realizable goal. Monthly virtual ses- sions provide a forum for sharing successes, challenges and questions, as well as for reviewing and deepening practices. Access to online resources facilitates ongo- ing practice at home. In 2025, Sondra Lee Ramos attended one such re- treat offered by Creative Healing Connections. Over three days, twelve women veterans got to know each other as they shared nature walks, created meaning- ful art, experienced the power of drumming, learned how to make bone broth, and experienced acupressure self-massage. They laughed more than they cried, and they shared some of their most heartfelt experiences. They savored the camaraderie of being with other wom- By Helene Gibbens and Sydney Schmidt Photos provided by Creative Healing Connections

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