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R&B: Teaching Youth To Build Their Roots & Branches🌳

Updated: Feb 10


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This month we had the chance to visit the Afro-Caribbean Cultural Center (ACCC) and teach their Cuyo Youth Program about how mindfulness helps you build roots & branches for your life. We simplified complex practices into momentary experiences and asked "What do you feel now?" 


"Softer", "cooler", "warmer", "breath", "relaxed"-- they exclaimed in response!

The Center in Waterbury, Connecticut highlights justice as part of their summer camp programs. In addition to fun activities for kids, they inform youth about the shape of reality they are growing up within.


The Cuyo Youth Program is named after an Indigenous (Taino, Caribbean) word meaning light or fire, and the program staff shed light on the injustices of the world and teach teens how to combat them.


We look forward to having some of their team join us at our upcoming BIPOC Annual Retreat, and we appreciate each of you donating to make it possible for programs like this to be offered to the community.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Since 2012, Copper Beech Institute has offered space for reflection, connection, and transformation through mindfulness practice. In 2022, we deepened our compassionate action, dedicating ourselves more specifically to healing racial injustice and creating a greater sense of belonging for people of color in our programming.

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In 2025, due to funding challenges, we reached a point of completion—the sunset of our organization. While Copper Beech is closing, the work of racial justice and mindfulness continues. This moment brings many emotions, yet it also offers us the opportunity to honor all that has been, and to close this chapter with the same love and intention with which it began while applying our efforts beyond the bounds of the institute.

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We invite you to visit our blog to witness the impact of our last two years and beyond, and to explore our website as a reflection of all we offered. Final programming for Copper Beech Institute ceased in June 2025, and the office officially closed as of October 2025.

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