Thursday afternoon, massage tables replaced the usual lunch tables in the GRIP dining room. Clients, many of whom live without homes and in constant food insecurity, experienced the same holistic healing touch that you might expect to find on a well-heeled wellness retreat or suburban pamper party. This, here at a homeless shelter, beside the BART tracks in the heart of Richmond, is how we we take care of our community thanks to the Fountain Project.
“The work of the Fountain Project intersects with a core belief of GRIP: when a person feels better they’re more likely to plan for their future with optimism,” said GRIP Executive Director Ralph Payton. “And that’s exactly what the team at the Fountain Project do – they make our community feel better!”
“We are seeing the shift in pain for some even after the first session, and the are expressing the relief they feel as well,” said Angela Madonia, Clinic Manager for Fountain Project.
The group has been serving Richmond since 2008, but is just now is able to bring the mobile services directly to those who need it at GRIP, where many clients do not have cars and may have trouble walking across town. The non-profit also opened a free clinic last year at 150 Harbour Way, offering appointments in Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage, Life Coaching, Osteopathy, and Occupational Therapy, along with a robust offering of classes including including Qigong, Yoga, Healthy Heart, Sound Healing. The work at the William Jenkins Lifelong Center is available Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We got funding this year to have a more regular presence in Richmond by having a weekly clinic at the LifeLong facility, but could see that it was still a barrier to some folks and knowing this kind of care is such a need to support chronic pain, stress and a sense of feeling connected to the greater community,” explained Madonia about the new sessions at GRIP.
WHEN: Massage therapy and acupuncture from 1:30-3:30pm on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month.
WHERE: GRIP dining room
Anyone connected with GRIP, from clients to residents, volunteers, donors, and staff (adults only) can come in for a 20-minute session. Sign up early or just drop in.
“Our massage therapist works with pressure points to help relieve tension and promote healing, and our acupuncturist can support folks with a holistic treatment that can help with stress, tension, immune system, etc. They can also talk with folks and give tips, listen to them, or teach them about ways they can support their own healing as well.”
Fountain Project experts apply acupuncture Thursday afternoons.
“We have regular clients at GRIP now, some folks especially in the family shelter that make a point to come down and get care. The staff is also really benefiting by helping to reduce pain and tension in the body and to support them to be cared for for all of the care they provide in their work day.”
ABOUT FOUNTAIN PROJECT: Fountain Project Health and Wellness Center
