Workshops & Seasonal Programs
Throughout the year, we offer workshops, talks and short-term programs to nurture, restore, and connect—supporting body, mind, and spirit. These workshops and series explore topics like cooking for nutrition, art, sexuality, journaling, sound healing, nature-based practices and thriving after cancer.
Like all our services, Cancer Connection offers programs free of charge for people living with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers.
Confidentiality
All of the confidentiality norms and expectations of the standard Cancer Connection Confidentiality Agreement for participants and facilitators remains in effect for telephone, online, or in person activities. We ask all participants to keep confidential the identity of others they meet in group activities, and not to disclose any personal information that is shared in a support group or program to anyone outside of that meeting. We can talk about ideas outside of the group, but not about people.
Registration
Registration requirements vary by program. Please see below for details on each of our programs and information on how to join them.
Like all our services, Cancer Connection offers programs free of charge for people living with a cancer diagnosis, their families, and caregivers.
In addition to our workshops and seasonal programs, we offer weekly and once monthly classes that foster connection, creativity, and well-being all year long. Join body and movement practices like Embodied Dance & Movement, Feldenkrais and Qigong Yoga, or explore creative and reflective programs such as Gratitude Journaling, Knitting, Creative Writing, Rest to Heal (Yoga Nidra) and Mindfulness.
Visit our Ongoing Weekly Programs page for details, or check our calendar for the full schedule.
Workshops & Seasonal Programs
Mirrors: Equine Assisted Mindfulness Workshop
Mirrors Equine Assisted Mindfulness Workshop with Colleen Campbell and Cris Carl
Sessions are held twice a month on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month, from 10am- 11:30am.
Choose from one of these dates (participants can attend multiple sessions, space permitting):
September 26
October 10
Spend time at the Heroes, Horses & Hounds farm in Sunderland learning from and connecting with one of the wisest, most patient and forgiving teachers around, Horses. This workshop focuses on finding peace with your body, connection with yourself and others, sharing and processing lessons learned while going through treatments and finding not only joy but simple fun. Rediscovering play as a way of healing and building resilience. The workshop will consist of mindfulness and journaling exercises, hands on time with the horses (no riding) and group sharing time. These workshops often help bring clarity and a shift in thinking. Helping people regain a part of themselves that may have been lost along their journey through cancer.
Mirrors takes place outdoors on a farm, so appropriate clothing and footwear will be required. Program details will be provided upon registration. Space is limited. Priority will be given to those that have not attended an Equine workshop before.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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Colleen Campbell is a certified trainer with the IAABC (international association of animal behavior consultants) and a graduate of UMASS Amherst with an Equine studies degree. At two years old she began asking for a horse. Needless to say Colleen was born with her passion of working with animals and has spent her life following that dream.
Mirrors and Paws for Joy equine and canine assisted therapy and service dog training programs have been developed from years of observations of and working with human and animal teams.
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Cris Carl, LADC1, is a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma, addiction and grief. She has been studying the brain and the effects of trauma and how the brain heals from trauma for over 25 years. Cris has a wonderful way of sitting with people and allowing them to open up in their own time. Allowing people the space they need to feel comfortable sharing whatever they want to share.
Cris loves the animals and has experienced the healing power of horses in the Mirrors program herself, originally starting as a student of the program in 2019. Then lending her gifts to help transform Mirrors into what it is today.
Creative Wellness: Nature-Based Art & Relaxation
Creative Wellness: Nature-Based Art & Relaxation with Beth Montemagni
Friday, September 25th, 11 am - 12:30 pm. In person
Create a peaceful sunset sanctuary on canvas using paint, smooth stones, bark, branches, moss, and other natural materials.
Nature-Based Art & Relaxation is a gentle, restorative program designed to support emotional well-being through creative expression and calming, nature-inspired practices. In a welcoming and supportive space, participants are invited to slow down, engage in simple art-making, and reconnect with a sense of ease and presence.
Sessions are designed to reduce stress, support mindfulness, and foster a quiet sense of connection—with oneself, with others, and with the natural world.
Each session incorporates guided relaxation techniques alongside accessible, nature-based creative activities. Optional reiki support is woven into the session.
This program is free and open to individuals in treatment, recovery, or caregiving roles, and requires no prior artistic experience.
Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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With over 20 years of experience as a stained glass artist inspired by nature, Beth combines creativity, mindfulness, and holistic practices to support healing and well-being.
After a 30-year career in the medical field, she expanded her work into art therapy and Reiki, recognizing the powerful connection between creative expression and emotional restoration.
Today, Beth serves as an Art Therapy Practitioner at the Veterans Hospital in Leeds, MA, and as a Reiki Practitioner and Co-Facilitator at Cancer Connection. Through nature-inspired creative experiences, she helps participants reduce stress, reconnect with themselves, and experience the restorative power of art and mindful presence.
Gratitude Journaling: An Invitation to Creativity and Play
Gratitude Journaling: An Invitation to Creativity and Play with Sharon Rudnitzky
Every 3rd Saturday of the month. Next class rescheduled to: Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am - 12:00 pm
Discover the uplifting power of gratitude, creativity and play in Gratitude Journaling—a unique, hands-on workshop designed to nourish your spirit and bring more lightness into your life. Rooted in the proven benefits of gratitude journaling for mental and physical well-being, this class goes beyond words to engage your senses and spark your inner artist.
These workshops invite you to explore gratitude journaling as a practice for healing and emotional well-being. More than just writing, this joyful approach includes words of thanks, along with photos, colors, doodles, stickers, and inspiring quotes. It's a personal sanctuary you can return to again and again for comfort and delight.
Gratitude Journaling offers a nourishing blend of community connection and personal reflection. We’ll gather in a welcoming, relaxed space to share inspiration and creativity. There will be guided prompts, time to create, and gentle encouragement to help you get started—no experience necessary.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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My name is Sharon and I moved to Florence 27 years ago and now I live in Haydenville with two daughters and four very friendly cats.
I seamlessly incorporate many of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) principles and values (i.e. Curiosity, Care, Consideration, Play, etc.) in my workshops.
I love being in nature and I enjoy reading and writing poetry. I am also a photographer and especially enjoy taking close-up pictures of flowers. And, of course, I LOVE to look through and add to my gratitude journals!
Happy Valley Death Cafe
Happy Valley Death Cafe with Eva Fierst and Janine Norton
Tuesday, October 13, 5:30 - 7:00 pm In-person only
A Happy Valley Death Cafe is a welcoming, facilitated conversation where people can talk openly about death—how they think about it, how they feel about it, and how it has touched their lives. It is not a grief support group and there is no agenda, mission, or point of view to promote. There’s no pitch and no pressure—just a respectful space for honest conversation, with a facilitator present to help guide the discussion and keep it on track.
Death Cafés are taking place all over the world and follow the same simple format: to talk about death in a relaxed setting. It was conceived by Jon Underwood from the UK in 2010 and has since gained rapidly in popularity. For more on Death Cafés, visit https://deathcafe.com/
This program is free and open to individuals in treatment, recovery, survivorship, or caregiving roles. Registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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Eva Fierst has been involved in End-of-Life issues for many years and was a founding board member of the Hospice of the Fisher Home in North Amherst, MA.
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Janine Norton is an artist and a UVM-certified End-of-Life Doula.
Whole food, plant-based Cooking
Whole food, plant-based Cooking with Paul Sustick of Paul & Elizabeth’s
Monthly, on a Saturday, 10am to 1pm. Sign up for a fall date:
October 17
November 14th (Special Thanksgiving class!)
Eating a whole foods, plant-based diet is one of the most fundamental and accessible ways of promoting good health and living well through cancer treatment and beyond.
Come join Paul Sustick of Paul & Elizabeth’s restaurant, as we explore making delicious and nurturing foods that focus on nutrition and incorporating healthful eating habits into daily life.
These workshops will provide instructions on how to transform fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains into delicious healthy meals, empowering you to become a more skilled, confident home cook. Each workshop will include cooking demonstrations and hands-on work as well as practical cooking skills, tips and knife skills.
Bring an apron, cutting board and knife and let’s have some fun while making nourishing, supportive food
Priority will be given to participants that have not attended a cooking workshop before. This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
This program is generously donated by Paul Sustick of Paul & Elizabeth’s, Northampton’s beloved downtown mainstay restaurant, serving up pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan dishes since 1978.
Introduction to Jin Shin Jyutsu
Introduction to Jin Shin Jyutsu with Miriam Zoll
Tuesday, October 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm This is an in-person event
Join us for a 90-minute experiential workshop exploring Jin Shin Jyutsu, an ancient Japanese healing art that uses light touch and simple hand placements to balance, repair and maintain the energetic functions of the vital organ energy systems. Come learn how simple self-care practices can help you manage physical and emotional symptoms when they arise. Designed for people living with cancer and caregivers, the workshop will include an overview of Jin Shin Jyutsu, guided practices, time for questions, and self-help techniques you can continue using after the session.
This workshop will introduce easy self-care techniques that support relaxation, self-awareness, and a sense of balance and well-being. Self-help practices can be done at home, in a waiting room, or anytime you need a few quiet moments to reconnect with yourself. No prior experience is needed, and all practices can be adapted for comfort and individual needs. Together, we’ll learn simple ways to use our fingers and hands as tools to promote physical and emotional balance and lessen side effects from medical interventions and illness symptoms.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. If you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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A friend introduced me to Jin Shin Jyutsu at a time when I was balancing a career in international public health policy, teaching yoga, and raising a family. I became a serious self-help student, and later a practitioner, after the onset of a serious health issue and its accompanying despair and chronic pain symptoms. By studying Jin Shin Jyutsu, I soon learned that the shooting pains that woke me at 2 a.m. coincided with the circulatory pattern of the liver function energy. If I held certain places on my body, the physical and emotional pain of my illness dissolved and day-to-day living became manageable. I continue managing my symptoms on a daily basis with Jin Shin self-help practices.
Your Creativity Matters Art Workshop: Create Your Own Artistic Envelopes and Collages
Your Creativity Matter Art Workshop with Kate Marion Lapierre
Saturday, October 24th, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Using magazine and calendar pages or wrapping paper create your own envelopes.
We will fold papers into varied sized envelopes that you can use to mail to special friends. We will also be making our own collage papers with paint and markers which can become envelopes too.
Bring old magazines/calendars you can rip up to create the envelopes. Some will be provided as well.
No art skills are needed, just an interest and desire to use art materials and create something for yourself while together with others in a group.
Space is limited to 6 participants.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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Kate Marion Lapierre is a local mixed media artist and retired art therapist who enjoys doing art using a wide variety of media. She has led groups in both hospital and school settings, as well as having her own art practice. She is excited to gather a group together to allow for creative self-expression and enjoyment.
Mindful Breathing: Introduction to Pranayama
Mindful Breathing: Introduction to Pranayama with Kathleen Kraft
Wednesday, October 28, 5:30 - 6:45 pm In-person only
Join us for a gentle introduction to pranayama, the practice of mindful breathing. This supportive session is designed for people in cancer treatment, survivors, and caregivers who are looking for simple ways to create moments of calm, grounding, and connection.
Through guided breathing practices, participants will explore techniques that may help support relaxation, ease tension, and bring greater awareness to the body and breath. Practices will be offered in an accessible, adaptable way, with plenty of permission to rest, pause, or participate at your own pace.
No prior experience with yoga or breathwork is needed. Come as you are and leave with a few simple breathing practices you can return to at home, during appointments, or whenever you need a moment of steadiness.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. If you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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Kathleen Kraft is a yoga therapist (C-IAYT) based in The Berkshires. She provides yoga, pranayama, and yoga nidra classes to people in cancer treatment at Phelps Cancer Center in Pittsfield. She also teaches private group and one-on-one classes and guides monthly yoga nidra evenings at libraries across the Berkshires. Having lost both of her very special grandmothers to cancer, Kathleen feels a deep and meaningful connection to sharing therapeutic practices with those in cancer recovery.
Ayurvedic Oil Self-Massage
Ayurvedic Oil Self-Massage with Amanda Raymond
Monday, November 16th, 5:30-6:30pm. In person only
Learn simple Ayurvedic oil self-massage techniques to help balance the body, calm the mind, and support everyday well-being.
This in-person program is open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis or is a primary caregiver and is free of charge.
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Call us on 413-586-1642 to register, or, if you are already a Cancer Connection participant, you can use this link to register.
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Amanda is a breast cancer survivor, mental health therapist, retreat leader, wellness educator, and artist who founded ONE LIFE. LIVE IT., an organization that builds meaningful communities through international retreats and creative healing experiences.
She is now in the process of creating a nonprofit to support women affected by cancer in attending nourishing retreats at no cost, and also leads the Play It Forward backpack program, delivering art, school, and athletic supplies to children worldwide.
Amanda finds joy in yoga, meditation, prayer, savoring delicious food, creating murals, and belly laughing with her loved ones.
All Out Adventures programs
Join a program at All Out Adventures and Cancer Connection will pay your fees. This summer season they will have paddling, cycling, hiking, and pickleball.
These activities are a great way to move your body, connect with others, and enjoy the beauty of summer in good company.
Call us on 413-586-1642 to find out how to join an All Out Adventures program for free
Learn more about our other services
Befrienders
Befrienders are trained staff and volunteers who listen and support both those who have been diagnosed and caregivers through challenging times.
Integrative Therapies
We offer therapies that treat the symptoms of cancer and offer stress relief and comfort to those living with a diagnoses and the effects of treatment
Support Groups
Support groups offer a place where we can laugh, cry, celebrate, and use humor to find relief in the universality of our experiences.