In March 2020 I started a little writing project I called “Bears and Butterflies.” I had every intention to share it with you in the midst of quarantine and the world slowing to a halt, but I had no idea how directly applicable my exploration of different creatures' hibernation habits would be to my own life. I had every expectation of being a butterfly, emerging from a few months of cocooning: bright, beautiful, and transformed. But there I was. A little slow, a little tired, and maybe even a little grizzly.
When I was enthusiastically plotting my isolation transformation, I had no idea that just around the corner was…takes a deep breath… the cancellation of all of our upcoming conferences, losing most of our income and my team, surviving the fallout of coming out as queer and affirming within the MK community that Kaleidoscope was rooted in, reaching a level of burnout and hurt that had me taking a much needed sabbatical, deciding I do still love working in the TCK space, limping through a year as a one-woman organization, realizing an ADHD diagnosis might be why so many emails and work opportunities get forgotten about (I’m so sorry!), hiring a brand new team (I’m so thankful!), starting almost completely from scratch, and gosh…breathes out… is it any wonder I still feel tired??
AND YET! Hibernation has turned into hope. Hope for a new season. Hope for what comes after a long respite. Hope that is turning into clear plans, new dreams and fresh energy.
Perhaps, in this analogy, Kaleidoscope is the butterfly. We’ve certainly become a more colorful community (who knew that was possible!). We’re embracing new ideas, new people, new passions, new strengths. I’m forever grateful for the [breaking, painful, yucky] metamorphosis that got us here.
Which brings me to what I’m supposed to be writing about: what does 2024 look like for Kaleidoscope? Well, as 2020 taught us, these are some hopes and dreams and prayers, laced up in plans that will probably be adjusted along the way.
Our team is focused on re-building strong foundations this year:
Email and social media communication has gotten a kick in the pants. We are committed to staying in better communication with you, so you’ll be seeing us in your inbox more often. Hi!
You’ll continue to regularly hear about TCK Club. We’re opening up new times and adding new activities including a collaboration with Intrepid Counseling.
We’re strengthening our donor base and launching a partnership program to restabilize our financial position after three slow and tenuous years.
TCK Camp will be back for a second year and we’re spreading the word for double the registrations.
As far as the dreams are concerned, I have the audacious goal of organizing an in-person event this year! It has been too long. We are also in the brainstorming phase of hosting a virtual TCK Coffeehouse and we’re seeking grants for the enormous project of converting our TCK curriculum for migrant and asylum-seeking TCKs here in the US. If you have leads on any of the above, get in touch!
Kaleidoscope got started by word of mouth, friends helping friends, and a whole lot of coffee. 10 years later not much has changed. At least not in the “it takes a [global] village” regard.
Love you so much and forever grateful to partner with you,
Jessi