Today’s post comes to you courtesy of our guest blogger, Heidi, who was one of the participants of our recent ReFresh Experience. Heidi Kitlas is a development professional with over 15 years of development experience working with nonprofits in the Hudson Valley, about an hour north of NYC. Heidi joined SOUL RYEDERS® in 2016 to support their growing fundraising and organizational needs. As a cancer survivor, Heidi is continually seeking to find balance in her life while supporting other survivors to make an impact on their quality of life. Heidi lives in Beacon, NY – a perfect spot settled between the Hudson River and Mt. Beacon – with her husband, Jeff, and son, Lucas, who inspire her every day.

Heidi’s Fresh Chapter

What are words when you have an experience that fills your soul?

As a cancer patient, I struggled with finding comfort and security through traditional support groups. I fought myself and family members on this topic simply because I felt out of place, uncomfortable and confused by how all of a sudden I was supposed to trust a group of strangers with my vulnerability.

As the years of treatment continued and I shifted my professional focus, I found healing in my work with SOUL RYEDERS, an organization committed to empowering those who are affected by all types of cancer. I was able to use my skills to support an incredible organization and, at the same time, slowly push down the walls I had built for emotional protection. While finding my footing in a leadership role with this tremendous cancer support nonprofit, I was introduced to A Fresh Chapter.

On Finding Her Tribe

As the weeks led up to the ReFresh trip, I could not seem to find room in my day-to-day to believe I was going to be able to leave my life for a week. My stresses weighed heavily on me but my sole thought was, ‘I am going to be able to bring so much back to the rest of the team and volunteers at SOUL RYEDERS.’ I had NO concept, even after reviewing the schedule, how deeply the experience would affect me personally.

The foresight and attention to planning this experience was impeccable. The variety of participants in terms of diversity of experience, location and personality was incredible and yet I felt connected almost immediately to each one of them. The flow of the week and activities brought us all together on a shared journey navigating through our own vulnerabilities, what is holding us back and to how to go beyond our everyday professional thinking to make our industry and organizations better.

Those who have struggled, but are willing to look deep inside as well as beyond where they are, to see the possibilities of what could be, are the rare and unique individuals who I was fortunate to share a week with this August. This was a group where I felt comfortable; where each person was respectful of my fears and challenges and accepted me. This is where I found support and strength personally and professionally.

Through A Fresh Chapter I found a renewed confidence and path to support myself while having the space for others. On day one of the ReFresh week I immediately let myself trust the others in the room. Maybe that speaks to how much I’ve changed since my diagnosed or maybe the 16 of us were meant to be a tribe.

A Fresh Chapter (AFC) is a non-profit offering U.S. and International volunteer travel experiences to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and non profit leaders to help them heal the emotional scars of cancer while serving others – and in the process, reclaim their lives. To learn more about our upcoming programs, visit our Explore Programs page.