Giving Tuesday is a time when we as a society come together to collectively be charitable and give what we can to others in the hopes of making a difference, either big or small. At Habitual Roots, our mission everyday is to make a difference in the lives of those in our community, through access to wellness resources, activities, and community that some folks can’t get anywhere else.

Our theme for 2024 is Lifeline of Hope: 300 on the 3rd. Our goal of raising $12,500 this year would allow us to provide 300 months of scholarship to our wellness membership. A monthly membership with Habitual Roots provides access to a wide variety of events and classes, including yoga, community hikes, support groups, book club, monthly workshops and more. Above that though, we have found that one of the greatest things we provide is hope to people in tough spots. Hope that they can make new friends, hope that they can overcome personal wellness challenges, and hope that they can build a better life for themselves.
Habitual Roots came to life during the COVID-19 Pandemic with the aim of creating relief and support for people experiencing severe isolation, stress, and uncertainty during those times. Our offerings seemed to be exactly what many people needed, with over six thousand people participating in yoga classes the first year. Over 650 were also impacted through meditations and hikes alone. 96.5% of participants reported an increase in overall energy, 89% reported an increase in confidence, and 89% reported a decrease in felt loneliness. Those are the results that we aim for at Habitual Roots, and have strove to continue ever since.
We have grown quite a bit since 2019, increasing the amount of classes we offer, the overall participation, our leadership team, as well as the size and scope of the organization as a whole. What hasn’t changed are the results. In 2022, 94% of overall participants surveyed said their class attendance reduced their feelings of anxiety, and 2023, 92% of yoga participants reported a reduction of stress and 95% of support group participants reported feeling less lonely. So when you donate to Habitual Roots, and fund scholarships for others in your community, you’re offering them not just support, but a lifeline—nurturing both their physical and mental well-being in a time they need it most

But what do we mean when we say “scholarship” and who are these people anyway? A Habitual Roots scholarship is a discounted monthly membership, including free access to all basic classes and events, and discounts on special events and retreats. Our scholarships are open to anyone making under a certain amount of income per year, and the greater their financial hardship, the more discount we provide. In fact our biggest scholarship provides access to unlimited yoga, hiking, support groups and more, for less than a monthly subscription to Netflix.

Our current scholarship recipients are teachers, school counselors, people coming out of treatment and integrating back into the world, medical issues or those who are unemployed / low income. In 2023, $7500 of financial aid was provided, helping those in need afford their livelihoods, as well as events, community and support to live happier lives.

So when you support Habitual Roots with your donations, you are helping those in need get access to resources they need, and as a result, greater hope for their lives. One of our longtime community members Sri, explains here just how important our community was for him when he was going through hard times.

As recent events like Hurricane Helene have shown, challenges and hard times in life can come out of nowhere. While getting basic needs met is of course essential for immediate wellbeing, it is the long term sustained support and connection that many people find challenging to find. That is where we fit in, and the niche we have aimed to fill ever since our inception in 2019.

No matter the life challenge or situation, whether someone has moved to a new city, is facing mental health challenges, or in the extreme situation of being the victim of a natural disaster, we will be there to offer community events and classes that help people feel more connected, work on their physical and mental wellness, and build (or re-build) a sense of hope for the future.

So this Giving Tuesday, when thinking of where to put your generosity to work, remember that when you give to Habitual Roots, it isn’t just to impact our organization, but gives people in your community support and most importantly, a lifeline—nurturing both their physical and mental well-being in a time they need it most.

Thank you for supporting those in need. As a token of our gratitude, we're offering gifts for supporting Habitual Roots this Giving Tuesday!

---Hear Testimonies from those who experience our programming---

Habitual Roots 2024 Giving Tuesday Fundraiser

Because of people like you, those navigating mental health challenges can feel less alone and more supported

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