My Nonprofit Reviews

I am convinced that the day that LeeAnn Fletcher called my house to say that I got off of the Sadie Nash waiting list is among the most life-path-altering days of my life. The most important concept I learned at Sadie Nash was that of safe space. At first, the idea of creating a safe space with a group of teenagers who I had never met before seemed ludicrous. I expected to be confronted with drama and rivalries and the general chaos I’d seen on “reality” tv shows. But we all gave communal safe space a chance because deep down, despite our doubts of its existence, I think we all desperately wanted it to be real.

Our efforts certainly paid off. As the summer progressed, we came to realize that a safe space wasn't a place where there were no judgments or opposing opinions. Rather, in our safe place we
acknowledged that judging is inevitable but what was most important was how we acted once our opinions were formed.

We learned to challenge ideas rather that the people who held them.

We became conscious of the fact that respecting other people’s points of view is what allows us to stop surviving and start living.

We created a safe space.

More Feedback