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About Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts For a synopsis of Smith Farm's current work, download our 2009-2010 Overview Report by clicking on the button below.
Our Philosophy	At the core of our work is the belief that each of us harbors enormous powers of healing within. We also recognize that there are both new and time-tested techniques to enhance health and well-being- even in the midst of crisis. Our integrated approach of stress reduction and inner quiet, art-making and telling your story, supportive listening and loving community, healthy lifestyle choices and state-of-the-art medical care can birth simple yet profound changes that radically transform the experience of illness. Our Cancer Help Program Residential Retreats provide one of the foundations of our work. Nestled in a lodge setting amidst the rolling hills just beyond Washington DC, participants and caregivers explore, educate, nourish, renew and reclaim their inner resources for healing. These weeklong residential retreats—designed in partnership with the internationally recognized Commonweal Cancer Help program developed by Dr. Michael Lerner and Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen—offer a spectacular year-round environment for integration, reflection and healing transformation. We also offer range of day retreats, programs and workshops at our City Center in Washington, DC. These ongoing programs— easily accessible to residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia— offer therapeutic yoga and meditation, cooking classes, support groups, book clubs, healing arts gallery events, workshops for healthcare professionals along with health, creativity, and nutrition programs. Our city location allows you to easily integrate the programs into your weekly schedule. Our artist-in-residence programs in major medical centers foster healing in clinical settings for thousands of adults and their caregivers. Through music, movement, poetry, storytelling and writing artists work alongside individuals and families in infusion centers, waiting areas and hospital rooms to foster hope, encouragement, laughter, deep healing and renewal.
Barbara Smith Coleman In Memoriam JAN 6, 1932- MAR 26, 2003 Painting by Annette Polan	Barbara Smith Coleman--Visionary, artist, and founder of Smith Farm Center "I hope Smith Farm will maintain a deep respect for people and that we make no one feel more alone because of our actions or attitudes. Truth - we tell the truth as best we are able to perceive it. We deliver what we promise and promise only what can be delivered. We are considerate and tolerant. We dream. We care for our gifts as a sacred trust and spend them more carefully than we would our own. We are ready for a change. We delight in a challenge. We laugh. We work to maintain our personal lives in a state of grace, so that this grace will be available to those in need of our service." – From a journal entry by Barbara Smith Coleman Click here to view a Journal Entry from Barbara Smith Coleman
A Word from Michael Lerner	Michael Lerner--Smith Farm Center President and CEO In cancer, there is no single right choice for all of us, but there are surely right choices for each of us. There are no certain courses of action, but there are certainly educated and wiser choices, as opposed to uneducated and more foolish ones. The skill is in the movement from ignorance toward knowledge and from knowledge toward wisdom. In wisdom, we choose what we are least likely to regret. Accepting the pain and sorrow inherent in the fate we have been given, we can seek also the beauty and the joy. – Michael Lerner Michael is the author of Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer. He was awarded the MacArthur Prize Fellowship in 1984 for his work in the health field and was a special consultant for the Congressional Report on Unconventional Cancer Treatments.
A Word from Shanti Norris	Shanti Norris--Smith Farm Co-Founder and Executive Director/CEOor We believe that, in addition to receiving the best medical care possible— engaging the resources of the patient in the healing process can have a profound affect on the experience of illness and healing. Our goal is to help people in the quest for meaning in their lives— to emphasize and enhance the joy of living over the fear of dying. Our work calls us to serve all who can benefit from this life enhancing programs. To that end, we work to reach the medically underserved communities in the region. Working alongside our donors, alumni and sponsors we provide program scholarships and free and reduced fee events and to contribute to the communities we serve. Smith Farm Center continues to create new opportunities for adults living with cancer to connect with inner resources for healing. We are constantly helping adults give voice to unspoken thoughts and healing images and combat stress and alienation, all through creative expressions that often profoundly affect body, mind and spirit. To Donate click on an icon below.

Testimonials from
Smith Farm Center
Alumni
[...]

Of all of the voices associated with Smith Farm Center, those of our alumni speak the most profoundly.

Week-long Cancer Help Program Participants

"I have been healed by love"-P

"Thank you again, for such a wonderful experience at Smith Farm. Whenever I get scared, I think of all of you around me in the healing circle. It was such a life-changing event. I am truly blessed to have met all of you." -MG

"The retreat earlier this month was so beautiful and healing. The transformational effect on me and the 7 other participants seemed quite miraculous, though I know you and your incredible staff worked hard to design a program, which would have exactly those results. I feel honored to have been there, to have been under the loving guidance of you all....My enormous thanks to you for everything."-C

"I attended the Smith Farm Retreat in May 2001 and found it to be one of the best, if not the very best, week of my life. I do not know if I would have continued the healing process without your excellent program and staff. Each one was a joy to meet and each brought professionalism and caring that soothed my soul. If ever my mind, spirit and body were in harmony, it was that week." -MF (from a letter received in August, 2004)

One-Day Retreat Participants

"I felt I was not alone in my battle....this workshop has taught me that it is ok to be vulnerable and to cry." -BP

"The most valuable experience was sharing - telling my story and listening to stories of others. Knowing that there are professional people who recognize the value of mind/body/spirit healing and are offering their wisdom and compassion to the rest of us." -CE

"The environment is calm. I love the light....Thank you. I needed this day." -JM

"I am more prepared to deal with the next challenges of my illness" -BE

"The most valuable experience was just being here - finding the courage to listen to myself and look at what was going on inside - what I haven't been dealing with." -TA

Writing, Storytelling and Creativity Workshops

"I found the two workshops I attended last week incredibly useful, much more so than I had anticipated. You got my engine going. Thanks again for making great things happen." -LF

"I felt as though I could write or say anything. Irene is an extraordinary listener. She pulls thread from fabric....I'm hoping to listen to myself more. This helps. The most valuable experience was the opportunity to put words to some painful experiences." -RK

"This was a wonderful way to reconnect with my inner self and move forward with my work in ways I hadn't considered." -KL

"The most valuable experience was being able to express my feelings. Learning from others about how to cope with difficulties-learning their stories." -GD

Hospital Artist-in-Residence Programs

"Meeting you was one of the best things in my life; painting has been liberating for me, I look forward to our weekly sessions."

"Because of your interest, energy and effort my creative spirits and reenergized life force are soaring. I've created new works and am searching for additional answers to my health problems and new ways of healing."

"Thank you for bringing the sunshine to my cloudy world through your dance performance."

"Gee! I have traveled to Africa and Europe without leaving my hospital bed, without a passport or luggage. Thank you for the exciting stories!"

"Each time that I look at the world poster-size postcards that I made, I feel peaceful. The pictures of water on the beach relax me. They are coming home with me."

Healing Arts Gallery Displays

"My husband had what we anticipated was a 2 hour, but actually was a 5 hour, surgery at the Washington Hospital Center a little over 2 weeks ago. We spent 9 days on floor 2 NW and as he gradually was able to get around we walked up and down the corridors there. I must tell you that your photographs, which lined the many halls around 2 NW brightened our stay there. We used to collect photographs so maybe that's why we stopped frequently to look at everything. I understand it is only a temporary exhibit but in our opinion the hospital should consider not only making it permanent but adding photographs in other areas. They are a real lift for the patient (and the caregiver)." -AK

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Directions
to Smith Farm City Center
[Smith Farm Scene]

1632 U St NW
Washington DC 20009
202-483-8600 P
202-483-8601 F

heal@SmithFarm.com
www.smithfarm.com

Located above the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, next door to Greater Goods, and adjacent to the DC Fire and EMS station.

For customized directions visit www.MapQuest.com or www.Google.com/maps.

By Metro | Visit Metro at www.wmata.com

 The Smith Farm City Center is a 15-minute walk from both the Metro Red and Green Lines.

Green Line | U Street/Cardozo Station | Take the 13th St exit | Walk West on U St 3.5 long blocks | on your left just before 17^th St

[Auto] By Auto | Visit www.MapQuest.com

From Maryland | Drive South 16th St./DC 390 | Take 2nd exit onto 16th St., NW entering the District of Columbia | Turn right on U St, NW | Smith Farm is located on U St between 16th and 17th |

From Virginia | Take 14th Street Bridge (from 395) or Roosevelt Bridge (from 66) to 14th St (RT 1) | Turn North (left) on 14th St | Turn West (left) on U St | Look for our bright yellow on your left just before 17th St |

Street Parking | On-street, two-hour metered parking on U St and two-hour, non-metered parking in the surrounding neighborhood is often available.

Parking Garages

Colonial Parking Garage #700 on Florida Ave (www.ecolonial.com, 202-295-8100)
Location: 1711 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009. The garage is at the corner of Florida Avenue and Old Morgan School Place. It is right next to the Marie Reed Learning Center.

Directions: Going on U Street from 17th toward 18th Street, turn right before 18th onto Florida Ave. Go 1 to 1.5 blocks on Florida and look straight ahead for the large sign on the building. Left turn to Marie Reed Learning Center Road.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 6:30AM-midnight, Friday 6:30AM-4AM, Saturday 12PM-4AM, closed Sundays.

Rates:
Daytime Parking (Mon-Sat): 1^st hour = $4, 2^nd hour = $8, Max = $12
Weekday Evenings After 5PM: 1 hour = $4, Max = $12
Friday & Saturday: Flat rate of $14
Early Bird Special: In by 10 am, $8 all day

Camden Roosevelt Parking Garage (2 blocks from Smith Farm)
Location: This garage is near the intersection of V Street and New Hampshire Avenue. It is only 2 blocks away from Smith Farm Center and is the closest of garages listed. It is a part of the Camden Roosevelt building and is in the alley next to the Augustana Lutheran Church (The Church address is 2100 New Hampshire Ave., N.W. at the corner of V and Ne Hampshire).

Directions: From U Street (heading north towards Smith Farm), turn right on New Hampshire Avenue, NW. Make a left on V Street. V Street is ONE WAY. The Church and garage will be on your right and you will see a MarcParc sign. The garage is locked at all times. To gain access, call 202-265-4612 and the attendant will let you in.

Hours: Open 24 hours/7 days a week

Rates: 0-1 hours = $5, 1-2 hours = $10, 2-24 hours = $15

Colonial Parking Garage in Adams Morgan
Location: 2421 18^th Street (2400 block of 18th St. NW) 

Daytime special rates: Offers discounted parking at $2 for two hours from 7AM to 6PM, seven days a week with validation from a participating merchant. Regular hours: are Sunday (9am-2am), Monday (8am-1am),Tuesday-Thursday (8am –2am) Friday (8am-3am), Saturday (9am-4am)

Colonial Parking Garage at Woodley Park
Location & Directions: 2519 Conn. Ave, Enter on south side of Calvert. 5-minute walk from Adams Morgan, right near the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro stop.  

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 7AM - Midnight, Sunday: 7AM - 10 PM 

Rates: 1 hour: $5, 2 hrs, $9, Max:$14/ Evenings after 5 PM and weekends: $4

Universal North Garage Across from the Washington Hilton
Location & Directions: 2040 T Street NW, (between 20th & 21st Streets - Enter on "T" Street between Conn Ave. and Florida Ave., across from the Washington Hilton)

Rates: All day parking is about $18.

Hallowood Retreat
& Conference Center
for CHP Retreats Only
[Smith Farm Scene]

Hallowood Retreat
& Conference Center
7300 Banner Rd
Comus, MD 20842-8010
301-831-8422 P
301-874-6026 F

info@Hallowood.org
www.Hallowood.org

Hallowood Retreat & Conference Center--This location is for CHP Retreats Only.
Detailed directions will be included with your acceptance packet.

7300 Banner Rd
Comus, MD 20842-8010
Click here for Google map.

[Auto] By Auto
From Washington DC Area Click here for Google map.

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To Donate click on an icon below.

Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts is a Washington DC-based, non-denominational, 501(c)3 nonprofit. We welcome people of all races and religious traditions. Smith Farm Center has been awarded the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation Virginia Kelly Award for Excellence in Cancer Survivorship in 1997 and 1998, the 2004 Innovations Award by the Washington Cancer Institute at Washington Hospital Center and has been designated as a Catalogue for Philanthropy Charity. Smith Farm Center provides scholarship assistance for our programs on a needs basis, whenever possible.