Restore
Connect
Collaborate
2024 Swidler Summit. Photo by Shen Scott
For those at the center of social change, wellness is vital, yet rarely supported. CTAOP’s primary convening – the Swidler Summit – is a 4-day in-person gathering designed to be a transformative experience that gives the leaders we support critical time to rest, recharge, connect, and collaborate. The Summit includes skills building, sharing of knowledge, and tools for organizations to increase their effectiveness. Driven by inputs from the participants, the content responds to the needs of the organizations and communities they serve. These moments spent together in person bring joy, rejuvenation, healing, and creativity to all participants, and CTAOP is proud to be able to hold this space each year for self-care and collective power building.
In Their Words…
“The Swidler Summit is uniquely valuable in that it is human-centered and holistic in its approach. Everything is designed to ensure that we put our best foot forward in our service as well as take care for ourselves.”
“Attending the summit has recharged my enthusiasm for my work and personal life, providing me with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.”
“The Summit so helpful in providing tools for personal well being within a sector where burnout is so prevalent. It is a time of year we all look forward to. It also allows for deeper connection and understanding of our own and others’ work.”
“I have never been in a summit that focused healing the healers which is vital for healing of the youth served.”
“The care and interest by the facilitators and funding partners is so refreshing. It’s a great space to meet and learn about others with so much time for self learning, growth and time out. never been in a summit that focused healing the healers which is vital for healing of the youth served.”
“They [CTAOP] take time to make it about us and not just the work. This is very different from others.“
What’s offered?
Swidler Connection Summits
This biennial gathering brings all CTAOP Program Partners together to explore their collective power and wisdom with a program that fosters learning, self-care, creativity, and wellness. The powerful experience and expertise shared contribute to the group forming deeper bonds with each other and CTAOP, and participants return home with renewed purpose and commitment to their work.
Swidler Regional Summits
These smaller gatherings happen in the off-years, creating space for content that directly addresses the specific needs of individual organizations due to the more intimate setting. These regional summits also allow more local issues to be addressed and discussed, and participants can deeply connect and network with other leaders and organizations in their area, creating more opportunities for collaboration.
2023 Johannesburg Regional Swidler Summit. Photo by Shen Scott