| The programs that Healing Together runs are excellent, progressive, and absolutely needed. We reached out to Jessica Jaja and Holly Bynoe to learn more about what the initiative is bringing to it’s participants and the communities they serve. For those new to this, what is the work that you’re doing, and what is your core mission? The Hub Collective is a community-rooted nonprofit based in Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Founded in 2017 by artists, entrepreneurs, and social activists, it emerged from a shared recognition of the need for creative, healing-centred, and environmentally-conscious spaces for youth and communities across the Grenadines. The organisation strengthens intergenerational connection, preserves cultural heritage, and advances climate resilience through creative expression, ecological stewardship, and collective care. Working at the intersection of the arts, healing, and the environment, The Hub Collective fosters creative confidence and supports equitable, place-based transformation grounded in local knowledge, collaboration, and long-term community well-being. Healing Together is a community-based psychosocial support initiative led by The Hub Collective Inc. in partnership with MindTHRIVE Co. It was created in response to the layered impacts of volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, economic strain, and climate anxiety affecting communities across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The initiative provides safe, culturally grounded spaces where individuals can process grief, stress, and uncertainty while building practical resilience tools. Through workshops, youth programmes, creative practices, and access to one-on-one therapy, Healing Together strengthens emotional literacy and collective care. Rooted in Caribbean traditions of storytelling, gathering, and intergenerational exchange, the programme recognises that recovery is relational. Healing Together supports communities to rebuild trust, agency, and well-being from the inside out. What needs did you see that have inspired/shaped your approach? Our approach to Healing Together was shaped by a long awareness of the layered pressures facing communities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. First, we recognised how the post-colonial condition continues to place strain on mental health, particularly for young people navigating limited social services and shifting economic realities. Over time, we witnessed increasing emotional fatigue, anxiety, and disconnection within our communities. This was intensified by a series of overlapping crises, including the 2021 La Soufrière eruptions, the COVID 19 pandemic, and the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl. Together, these events created a polycrisis that deeply affected confidence, stability, and a sense of collective well-being. Prior to the genesis of Healing Together, we had already been reflecting on how to design programming that could respond to these realities (e.g., Reversing Scarcities of the Mind and Spirit (2021-23) and Creative Recovery Summer Camp (2021-23). Our aim became to create accessible tools, safe spaces, and culturally grounded practices that support resilience, strengthen community expression, and help people navigate ongoing social and environmental change. Who are the primary participants? The primary participants in Healing Together are first responders and community leaders who play essential roles in supporting others’ well-being. This includes teachers, nurses, police officers, fire service personnel, local organisers, and individuals connected to nonprofit or community-based organisations. We also welcome those who may not hold formal titles but who are actively holding space within their communities, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or strategic thinking. The project is designed to be inclusive and responsive, creating opportunities for anyone who feels called to deepen their capacity for care, leadership, and personal growth. By bringing together people who are already engaged in service, Healing Together strengthens networks of support and equips participants with tools that can ripple outward into families, workplaces, and the wider social landscape. What are some of the most pressing challenges you’re seeing? Some of the most pressing challenges we are witnessing are rooted in chronic and layered trauma, the pervasive presence of violence in its many forms, and a profound, collective experience of grief. These realities shape the emotional and social landscape of our communities, influencing how people relate to themselves, to each other, and to the future. Rather than isolated issues, they are interconnected conditions that require compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally-grounded responses that prioritise healing, safety, and long-term resilience. We are also concerned about the visible withdrawal of men from cultural and social spaces, which affects intergenerational connection and collective well-being. It is worth noting that 17.5% of our participants have been men since the initiative’s inception. At the same time, many people struggle to fully express themselves or commit to their emotional and psychological development, often due to stigma and limited support systems. The absence of accessible, well-resourced social services continues to reinforce harmful taboos, where mental health is still framed through fear or labelled with derogatory language. Through our work, we aim to shift this narrative by emphasising that mental health is not synonymous with illness, but rather a fundamental part of being human. With greater education, care, and open dialogue, we believe communities can reclaim healthier, more compassionate ways of understanding themselves and each other. What role do community relationships and peer support play in healing? Community relationships and peer support sit at the heart of healing because they allow us to stand as witnesses for one another through care, honesty, and accountability. Without these bonds, people often move through life as isolated individuals, a condition intensified by the pressures of late-stage capitalism. By consciously rebuilding networks of trust and mutual support, we strengthen interdependence and create spaces where individuals can speak truthfully about their experiences. This practice is not symbolic. It is a grounded way of living that nurtures sisterhood and brotherhood through shared responsibility, respect, and integrity. Accountability becomes central, guiding how we listen, respond, and grow together. When communities understand their collective needs and challenges, they can organise, strategise, and act with clarity. Through this relational approach, healing becomes a shared process that prepares us not only to face present realities but also to navigate future crises with resilience and collective strength. What moments from this work have stayed with you most? One of the moments that has stayed with us most deeply was our final gathering in Canouan, where an unexpected wave of expressive grief surfaced. Many participants were carrying profound loss, navigating illness and the passing of parents, siblings, friends, and other loved ones without having had adequate space to process these experiences. The depth of emotion revealed how urgently communities need safe, structured environments where grief can be acknowledged and held collectively. We were also struck by how many people spoke about isolation and the difficulty of finding genuine camaraderie or trusted spaces with clear agreements around care and respect. Being welcomed into such raw and vulnerable moments was both humbling and transformative. As facilitators, we were not separate from the process. We, too, were holding our own grief, and the shared environment allowed for mutual healing. These encounters reminded us that healing is embodied and relational, unfolding through honest expression and collective presence. How do you measure success? We understand success in both measurable and deeply qualitative ways. On one level, it can be tracked through participation, the number of people reached, and the consistency of engagement across sessions. Our efforts thus far have resulted in offering 14 days of Psychological First Aid training and four somatic and nature-based workshops to a total of 114 participants across the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island. Of these participants, 83 have received certificates of completion. We have also published 6 newspaper articles and delivered over 120 one-on-one counselling sessions via our Mental Health Professional Referral Network. However, the more meaningful indicators of success are often subtle and relational. Success is creating safe, open spaces where individuals feel able to show up as their authentic selves and speak honestly about their experiences. Because the programme is culturally grounded and shaped by the lived conditions of our communities, its impact cannot be defined solely by numbers. It is also reflected in the growing feedback that affirms the urgent need for this work and recognises its role as a platform for collective evolution and healing. When participants continue to return, contribute, and take active steps toward their own transformation, we see this sustained engagement as a powerful measure of success. We share below a few heartfelt testimonials from participants: “My heartfelt gratitude to Jessica, Holly, and Kimmette for guiding us through these Healing Together sessions. The focus on psychological first aid over the three days was deeply needed, not only for our community but for me personally. The experience aligned with exactly what I needed, allowing me to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new ones into a circle of care. The openness, wisdom, and compassion shared helped us grow together in healing.” “When I walked into the room, I saw unique, powerful women, each fully in her element, breathing life into the space. I kept thinking, “You cannot look like your struggle,” and wondered why not. Being with you reminded me that strength is not only about pushing through, but about truly living who you are. I keep replaying your energy in my mind because I draw strength from authenticity and light. You are all beautifully crafted, and being in your presence was a reminder of grace, power, and purpose. Thank you.” “Thank you to the Healing Together team for creating a space where many of us could begin or continue our healing. Through this journey, I received additional counselling sessions and want to acknowledge my counsellor. I was hesitant at first, but quickly felt safe, heard, and free from judgment. Choosing yourself is empowering. Cheers to all of us as we continue unlearning and relearning together.” What motivates you to do this work? What motivates us most is the depth of the relationships that have formed through this work and the courage participants bring when they choose to show up fully as themselves. We are constantly reminded that many of the needs we are responding to have long existed without adequate attention, which gives us a strong sense of purpose. Healing Together is not only about programmes or workshops. It is about building social and human infrastructure from the ground up, strengthening the emotional and relational fabric of our communities. In a multi-island nation like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, geography can sometimes create fragmentation, but this work allows us to weave threads of connection across the Grenadines and cultivate a shared sense of belonging. We are motivated by the understanding that we are not operating in isolation and that the work must remain responsive rather than prescriptive. Participants themselves shape the process, and their willingness to engage deeply inspires us to keep evolving. We believe that services centred on healing, emotional literacy, and community care are essential for any society that hopes to grow in a healthy and sustainable way. There may not always be a traditional return on investment, yet when people feel supported and empowered, the impact returns tenfold through increased confidence, collaboration, and compassion. Seeing individuals move through grief, vulnerability, and transformation is profoundly grounding. It reminds us to reflect on our own systems and to remain rooted in what is true for our cultural context rather than chasing external trends. Ultimately, what sustains us is witnessing people reclaim their agency, reconnect with one another, and contribute to a collective future shaped by care, integrity, and shared humanity. How can readers, partners, or supporters contribute meaningfully to this work? Readers, partners, and supporters can contribute meaningfully to this work in several ways. First and foremost, continued fundraising and financial support are essential to ensuring that Healing Together can grow sustainably and reach more communities across the Grenadines and the wider country. Those connected to donor networks or philanthropic spaces can help amplify our efforts by introducing the project to potential funders who believe in community-centred healing. Supporters can also follow and share our ongoing work through Facebook and Instagram, where we actively document the programme’s impact and invite wider participation. Equally important is advocacy. As our national landscape evolves, we hope that the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, decision makers and public institutions will recognise the value of this work and invest in it as a vital form of social infrastructure. Building relationships with individuals who wield economic, social, and cultural influence can strengthen Healing Together’s foundation and expand its reach. Beyond funding, meaningful contribution also comes through solidarity, collaboration, and spreading awareness. As more people engage with and believe in this vision, we move closer to a future where Healing Together can stand on its own and continue nurturing collective wellbeing. |
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