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Mental Health & Wellness Retreat for Refugee Women

Help SITTI create the first all-inclusive mental health and wellness program + retreat experience for refugee women artisans in Jordan.

$5,955
pledged of$20,000 goal
26
0Days Left

Project Description

SITTI is an impact-driven lifestyle brand. We provide conscious consumers with all-natural products to maintain a sense of tradition in their daily lives.
 
And we’re committed to the self-reliance of refugee and displaced communities. We keep this commitment  through long-term employment opportunities and skill development training, empowered by an inclusive global economy.
 
We are raising $20,000 USD to create all-inclusive mental health and wellness programming + a retreat experience for refugee women in Jordan. And we’re starting with our team of refugee women artisans at SITTI.

 

With the funds that we raise from this campaign, we will:

  • Provide FREE mental health and wellness programming access for 20 women, including a 2-night stay at a safe and accessible location in the serene Jordan countryside, 1:1 psychosocial support counseling sessions, group counseling sessions and workshops, nutritious meals, and activity-related materials and supplies (i.e. yoga mats, journaling materials/stationary)
  • Hire licensed wellness practitioners locally at a fair pay rate, including a certified psychosocial support counselor and movement instructor certified in yoga, pilates and holistic health teachings
  • Program impact monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) costs in the form of multimedia documentation, post-program evaluation surveys, and reporting analysis.
  • 2023 Mental Health and Wellness Initiative program design, based on in-depth feedback and needs analysis from retreat program and professional guidance from licensed practitioners in the field of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 
partners
sponsors
1

 

Women present the highest rates of recorded Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in today’s global refugee community. At the same time there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals in Jordan - a leading host country of refugees in the Middle East Region where over 3 million refugees reside.

Access to mental health support is further limited by the stigma that exists around mental illness, and can deter women from seeking mental health and psychosocial support services.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a tipping point for refugee women’s mental health. Our team members in Jordan’s Jerash camp experienced compounding pressures to support their families as the only income-earners for their households. On top of that, they suffered tremendous losses of family and friends to the COVID-19 virus and other illnesses.  

Awareness around the importance of mental health and psychosocial support is vital and can combat stigma against mental illness, while supporting greater demand for access to these services for refugee women.

By creating access to these services in a safe and supportive environment, we are improving the immediate mental health of the refugee women on our team, while also fostering greater awareness and programmatic development around the importance of mental health services in the long term.

 

Team composition/percentage of women throughout our team

 

 

 

 

1

The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for SITTI to take a more holistic, evidence-based approach to the needs of our community and team members.

We’ve always prioritized income generation and dignified work opportunities. However, through adoption of the Refugee Self-Reliance Index (SRI) Survey as a key impact measurement tool, we gained more comprehensive insight into the challenges faced by our team members’ households.


 

Impact report- Hanan Abo Shanin’s quote about providing for her family

 

Survey data revealed that women employed through our community-based partnerships were acting as the sole income-earners for their households during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on average were the primary income earners for their families before and during the pandemic. The survey also found that female-headed and single-income households experienced disproportionate stress from their male counterparts. Additional interviews conducted with team members confirmed high levels of stress and anxiety in female-headed households where the woman was the sole income earner.

 

We piloted the Women’s Health & Wellness Retreat program in 2021 as the first program within our SITTI Health & Wellness Initiative to:
  • Provide a safe space where the women could speak one-on-one and in groups with a psychosocial support counselor specializing in marginalized communities and the unique traumas they experience
  • Open up new experiences in guided meditation and yoga classes, teaching the women how simple breath work and movement can be effective and healthy ways to alleviate symptoms such as stress, anxiety and depression as they relate to their unique experiences
  • Create valuable, accessible take-aways for the women to put into practice beyond the retreat space and in their daily lives.

 

 

Impact report- number of women impacted by SITTI

 

 

We are raising $20,000 USD to create all-inclusive mental health and wellness programming + a retreat experience for refugee women in Jordan. And we’re starting with our team of refugee women artisans at SITTI.

 

 

1

 

  • Provide FREE mental health and wellness programming access for 20 women, including a 2-night stay at a safe and accessible location in the serene Jordan countryside, 1:1 psychosocial support counseling sessions, group counseling sessions and workshops, nutritious meals, and activity-related materials and supplies (i.e. yoga mats, journaling materials/stationary)
  • Hire licensed wellness practitioners locally at a fair pay rate, including a certified psychosocial support counselor and movement instructor certified in yoga, pilates and holistic health teachings
  • Program impact monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) costs in the form of multimedia documentation, post-program evaluation surveys, and reporting analysis.
  • 2023 Mental Health and Wellness Initiative program design, based on in-depth feedback and needs analysis from retreat program and professional guidance from licensed practitioners in the field of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). 
Thank you for caring about and investing in the mental health and wellness of refugee women with SITTI.

Your contribution demonstrates the power of our global community. It means everything to us that you’re supporting us to create a safe space that refugee women deserve for their healing, learning, and growth. Our initiative to promote the mental health and wellness of refugee women cannot succeed without YOU.

 

testimonial 1

 

testimonial 2
Testimonial 3
Testimonial 4

 

MEET THE FOUNDERS

 

We are a founding team of passionate and determined women, with personal and professional lived experiences navigating broken systems where mental health for women and marginalized communities is put last, or not considered at all.
 
We also have several decades of experience working with refugee communities to create sustainable programming opportunities and initiatives, and have spent the past 7 years bootstrapping our social enterprise.
 
When we came together in 2014, we created SITTI to put refugee women’s dignity and self-reliance at the center of our brand’s mission and products. Women’s mental health and well-being are key to achieving self-reliance for them, their families and their communities.

You can learn more about us HERE.

SDGs

 

Sitti is a proud recipient of:

visa
 

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: 

I'd like to contribute an amount that is more your current reward tier levels. How can I ensure that my contribution is received for purposes of this campaign?

Yes! We are able to consider offline contributions of $1000 USD or more. Please contact [email protected] to process your offline contribution.

 

Do you offer receipts for tax-deductible donations?

We are able to consider offline contributions of $1000 USD or above for tax-deductible receipts through our non-profit fiscal sponsor in the United States. Please contact [email protected] for further information. **This option is limited to offline donations, and may not be considered for contributions made through our campaign page.**

 

How do I purchase SITTI products beyond the contributor rewards available on your campaign page?

You can order directly from our website. We ship globally!

 

Are you a for-profit or a non-profit organization?

SITTI is a for-profit corporation registered in Ontario, Canada. We identify as a social enterprise. We partner with non-profit community-based partners and refugee-led social enterprises to create sustainable job opportunities for the refugee artisans they support.  

 

How can I learn more about the impact of SITTI on the refugee communities where you work? 

Check out our Impact Report here!

 

When should I expect to receive my rewards following my contribution?

For select digital or downloadable products, you will receive an email from us ([email protected]) approximately 1 week following the campaign's closing date. Downloadable or digital products from our campaign sponsors may arrive directly from them. Please keep an eye out for emails from those brands!

For physical products (i.e. our Campaign Exclusive Luxury Health & Wellness Bundle), delivery will vary depending on your shipping address. Our fulfillment team operates out of Ontario, Canada. Based on your proximity to our warehouse and shipping times at the time of delivery, you could receive our products anywhere from 10 days - 3 weeks following the campaign (barring any unforeseen delays that are out of our control). However, we will do our best to get rewards out to our contributors ASAP. 

If you have selected a service-based reward, our partners will contact you directly to facilitate those rewards. We appreciate all your patience! We've curated some amazingly luxurious, indulgent and impactful rewards (if we do say so ourselves!) We promise, we are as excited for you to experience them as you are!

 

 

01/20/2023
Monetary Contribution
$2,630
Joseph H Highland
12/30/2022
Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit Supporter
$1,000
Karen Linehan Mroz
12/28/2022
Mental Health & Healing Supporter
$200
Naomi Ranz-Schleifer
12/28/2022
Self-Love Supporter
$125
Milad Ershaghi
12/19/2022
Freedom of Movement Supporter
$10
Milad Ershaghi
12/19/2022
Holistic Health Supporter
$75
Milad Ershaghi
12/19/2022
Sweet Dreams Supporter
$250
Kate F.
12/11/2022
Monetary Contribution
$10
12/06/2022
Freedom of Movement Supporter
$10
Tom & Mary Beth Smedinghoff
12/06/2022
Mental Health & Healing Supporter
$100
Monetary Contribution
Just Because I Care
6 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Freedom of Movement Supporter
Support transportation for a woman to-and-from their wellness retreat experience!

You’ll get:

  • Digital "Thank You" Card
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
3 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Creative Joy Supporter
Sponsor activity supplies and materials for a woman retreat participant!

You’ll get:

  • Tare Shop Zero Waste Cleaning Recipe Book (5 recipes included)
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
26 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Holistic Health Supporter
Sponsor a woman's yoga and meditation sessions for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • 3x Tease Tea Limited Edition Blends Bundle, shipped straight to your door
  • Digital access to the award-winning film, "The Neighborhood Storyteller" (download available for 1 week after delivery via email.)
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
28 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Mental Health & Healing Supporter
Sponsor a woman's mental health and psychosocial counseling for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • 20% Discount OFF Corporate / Bulk Order Rate. Applies to a minimum order of $750 CAD. Valid immediately upon receipt until March 31, 2023
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
14 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
125.00 USD
Self-Love Supporter
Sponsor a woman’s mental health and psychosocial counseling + activity materials for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • Our Campaign Exclusive Personal Health & Wellness Bundle, including a SITTI charcoal soap bar, a pouch of Tease Tea’s Mate Boost Yerba Mate Blend, Nuchay Face Oil, and a bottle of luxury brand Paume Hand Sanitizer
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital “Thank You” Card
1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Sweet Dreams Supporter
Sponsor a night of lodging for retreat participants.

You’ll get:

  • Our Campaign Exclusive Luxury Health & Wellness Bundle, including a SITTI saffron olive oil soap bar, a SITTI thyme tea pouch, Jude Home Turkish hand towel, Lissee Rose Gold Shaver kit, Refugee Bath Bomb set of three, Three Ships Lip Treatment Kit, and Amalusta hand cream.
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
22 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit Supporter
Sponsor one woman's all-inclusive stay at our mental health + wellness retreat.

You’ll get:

  • A 1-hour virtual group "Deep Release" Hatha yoga session for you and up to nine friends and/or colleagues led by movement and holistic health teacher, Shireen Khamees, valid through March 31, 2023 (Prerequisite: a basic understanding of yoga postures)
  • Major Sponsorship mention in our weekly email to subscribers (4K+ subscribers)
  • 10% Off your total purchase at our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
2 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Oakville, ON
Created 2 Campaigns
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution
Just Because I Care
6 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Freedom of Movement Supporter
Support transportation for a woman to-and-from their wellness retreat experience!

You’ll get:

  • Digital "Thank You" Card
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
3 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Creative Joy Supporter
Sponsor activity supplies and materials for a woman retreat participant!

You’ll get:

  • Tare Shop Zero Waste Cleaning Recipe Book (5 recipes included)
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
26 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Holistic Health Supporter
Sponsor a woman's yoga and meditation sessions for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • 3x Tease Tea Limited Edition Blends Bundle, shipped straight to your door
  • Digital access to the award-winning film, "The Neighborhood Storyteller" (download available for 1 week after delivery via email.)
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
28 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Mental Health & Healing Supporter
Sponsor a woman's mental health and psychosocial counseling for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • 20% Discount OFF Corporate / Bulk Order Rate. Applies to a minimum order of $750 CAD. Valid immediately upon receipt until March 31, 2023
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
14 Left
6 Supporters
Select this reward
125.00 USD
Self-Love Supporter
Sponsor a woman’s mental health and psychosocial counseling + activity materials for the entire retreat.

You’ll get:

  • Our Campaign Exclusive Personal Health & Wellness Bundle, including a SITTI charcoal soap bar, a pouch of Tease Tea’s Mate Boost Yerba Mate Blend, Nuchay Face Oil, and a bottle of luxury brand Paume Hand Sanitizer
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital “Thank You” Card
1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Sweet Dreams Supporter
Sponsor a night of lodging for retreat participants.

You’ll get:

  • Our Campaign Exclusive Luxury Health & Wellness Bundle, including a SITTI saffron olive oil soap bar, a SITTI thyme tea pouch, Jude Home Turkish hand towel, Lissee Rose Gold Shaver kit, Refugee Bath Bomb set of three, Three Ships Lip Treatment Kit, and Amalusta hand cream.
  • 10% Off Discount to our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
22 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit Supporter
Sponsor one woman's all-inclusive stay at our mental health + wellness retreat.

You’ll get:

  • A 1-hour virtual group "Deep Release" Hatha yoga session for you and up to nine friends and/or colleagues led by movement and holistic health teacher, Shireen Khamees, valid through March 31, 2023 (Prerequisite: a basic understanding of yoga postures)
  • Major Sponsorship mention in our weekly email to subscribers (4K+ subscribers)
  • 10% Off your total purchase at our SITTI online store, valid through January 31, 2023
  • Digital "Thank You" Card
2 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward