Moving With Love When Faced With Fear And Injustice

This past week has been a heavy one here in Southwest Colorado. The violence and injustices we’ve witnessed have stirred many of us into action, and into anger. Often, on the other side of anger is grief and on the other side of grief is love. Are you feeling it too? Is your heart breaking open? As I’ve wrestled with what it means to respond in these intense times, I came across this quote by Rumi: “Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move.”

Fear makes us small. It constricts and shuts us down. Love expands us. It invites us to open, to connect, to care for one another.

This week, I’ve been deeply moved by the courage and love of this community.

• To those who sat in peaceful protest - enduring violence in the name of justice and care for children - we are with you.
  

• To those in public and elected office who are calling for accountability and helping reunite the family - we are with you.
  

• To organizers who have tirelessly shared information, mobilized action, and created spaces for truth - we are with you.
  

• To neighbors, friends, and community members who have protested, written letters, attended meetings, hugged each other, and created spaces of care - we are with you.

On this Election Day, we stand with YOU - in honor of democracy, decency, and our shared love for this place we call home. We remember that unless we are Indigenous, we are all immigrants to Turtle Island. May we live in respect and reciprocity with this land and all her peoples.

May we transmute fear, hatred, and violence into compassion, courageous action, and grounded love. May we hold ourselves and one another accountable to protecting human rights and freedoms - because we all depend on them.

I’d love to hear from you - how is your heart doing this week?

What Happened

• Read the Durango Herald articles about the ICE protest on Oct 27 and Oct 28.

What you can Do

• Sign the petition for the release of the Jaramillo Patiño family.

• Donate to the GoFundMe supporting the family.

• Stay informed by signing up for updates from Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center.

• Submit public comment to the City of Durango.

• Contact your elected officials - City Council, County Commissioners, Congressperson, Senators, Governor - urging continued action and accountability.

Our Community in Action

Community EMDR Healing Session Sunday, November 9, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Fort Lewis College Community members are invited to a restorative EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) group experience to support those impacted - directly or as witnesses - by recent community violence. This trauma-informed session offers a gentle, guided space for grounding, emotional processing, and collective care.

Support Families Affected by SNAP Benefit Losses

Many families in Southwest Colorado are struggling after losing access to SNAP benefits.

You can help by:

• Reading the Community Foundation’s letter explaining the impact and community response.

  
  

• Donating to the Southwest Colorado SNAP Relief Fund (CERF) to provide direct assistance to families in need.

Our Team in Action

Abundant Business at WSSW

At West Slope Startup Week a month ago, Sagebrush team members Adrea Bogle and Jenn Bartlett facilitated our session, Abundant Business: From Competition to Collaboration. Through conversation, collaborative mapping, and reflection, they guided participants in exploring the “collaboration spectrum” and identifying the values that draw aligned partners.Their leadership went beyond facilitation. When I arrived that day overwhelmed and not at my best, Jenn and Adrea encouraged me to take the time I needed and fully carried the session - including my role. Their care and willingness to step in allowed me to be vulnerable and supported. That is true collaboration in practice, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you ladies! 💚

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

We’re always grateful to spotlight spaces that nurture nonprofit leadership and learning across our region. If you're looking to grow your skills, connect with peers, or explore new resources - there’s still time to jump in:

🪴 FREE Board 101 Training

Hosted by Arlina Yazzi and Mary Jo Standard

Curious about what it means to serve on a nonprofit board or already on one and want to strengthen your impact?

This free community session is designed to help you feel more confident, informed, and empowered in your role as a board member. Arlina & Mary Jo will walk you through the basics of nonprofit board service in a friendly, welcoming space.

🪴 Executive Directors Connections Group

Monthly peer gatherings for nonprofit leaders

If you're an Executive Director seeking real conversations, shared learning, and heartfelt support, these groups offer a space to connect and exhale:

• La Plata County Hosted by Adrea Bogle of Luminary CC📩 Email Adrea at adrea@luminarycc.com for upcoming dates and details

• Montezuma County (New!)

      Hosted by Kyler Grandkoski of Aligned Action Facilitation)

      🗓 Next Meetup: Friday, November 21 · 8:30–9:30 AM 📍 Cortez Chamber Executive Conference Room

      💌 If you’re interested in joining, you can email Kyler directly at or or fill this interest form.

🪴 Facilitation Training with ToP If you or your team want to build your facilitation chops - whether that’s guiding more strategic conversations, hosting inclusive meetings, or leading with clarity and confidence - these ToP courses are a great place to start.

I’ve trained extensively in these methods and they’re the foundation for many of our tools and sessions at Sagebrush.

Here are a few options: ToP Facilitation Methods: Leadership Intensive (Online 3-week course) 📅 November 12–14 | Hands-on coaching & practice 🌐 Ideal for those wanting depth, flexibility, and support.

ToP Facilitation Methods – Leadership Edition (3-day in-person) 📍 Sacramento & Green Bay this November

Want to explore all upcoming options (online, in-person, and more)? 👉 View the full course schedule

What's Inspiring Us

📖 Audiobook: Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know by Erica Chenoweth

For those of us who didn’t grow up during the Civil Rights Movement and feel unprepared for civil disobedience or nonviolent resistance - this has been a powerful resource. It’s helping me better understand how ordinary people can organize, resist injustice, and create change with courage. It’s anything but passive. In solidarity,

Sandhya + the Sagebrush Team

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