New York Ongoing Explorations

Origins of OMAH and co-creation of Community Solutions in early 2022

OMAH originated through the co-creation of a group called Community Solutions that has been meeting weekly at the Brooklyn Community Recovery Center continuously since early 2022. This group regularly brings together people with a wide range of lived experiences, including individuals who are marginalized, unhoused, those in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, or formerly incarcerated, alongside those who are socially and academically privileged. Together, we explore new possibilities and strength that are discovered individually and collectively as we gather to genuinely question for ourselves, and allow the power of observation, inquiry, and insight to be an agent of change instead of trying to teach each other or force change within ourselves. 

We recognize there are many techniques and groups that exist with the purpose of helping individuals and society. With each of these, individuals are often encouraged to follow something such as certain guidelines, principles, frameworks, or advice. As a complement to such groups, what we have found to be very helpful (and are now offering to others) is a self-directed, open-ended gathering where each individual is showing up to observe, reflect, and inquire for themselves into their own lives about what they deem crucial. 

In this spirit, this group is a space to co-create and explore collectively by empowering and supporting each individual in their own self-directed inquiry, noticing what is present in the moment. The content of what is discussed is not predetermined but is explored in the moment by all those present. With this orientation of self-directed inquiry, this space explores a culturally responsive, trauma and justice informed, non-judgmental, and inclusive space to access and engage in open and equitable dialogue for all those in attendance. The nature of this space is experiential and experimental, and one of honesty, vulnerability, spontaneity, and openness. In this vulnerable space, each individual can see if they might allow others to inquire with them while acknowledging that everyone is on their own self-directed journey.  

Expansion in Brooklyn to the Brevoort Public Housing Community and East New York Community

OMAH now operates from the CAMBA Brevoort Public Housing Community Center in Brooklyn, NY in collaboration with CAMBA Inc., the NYC Housing Authority, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Bedford Stuyvesant Community Partnership, and Brevoort residents. OMAH is meeting with Brevoort community members and exploring collaborations to meet their needs. OMAH is also currently working with the East New York community through collaboration with the East New York Family Enrichment Center (The C.R.I.B.), Good Shepherd Services, East New York Community Partnership, and community members.

Quotes from Participants

Here are some quotes shared by participants: 

• “I find this group instrumental about the inner workings of my mind. It’s been instrumental in my mental development and in questioning my conditioning.”  

• “It’s given me a sense of how to look at my thinking, and an ability to explore all the thoughts that go through my head, and to understand other people’s thinking, instead of just taking my thoughts and thinking patterns as true.” 

• “It’s like a lightbulb comes on for me when other people are sharing… Initially a lot of what people were saying was going over my head, but when I started listening to what I’m thinking about, things started to make a lot more sense.” 

• “Somehow in this group I can see me – my thoughts, feelings. Questioning seems to help reveal the truth in the moment – how I think, how I respond to things.”

• “There’s a certain sense of honesty about what’s actually going on, and not avoiding the things that upset us.”    

• “It’s made it clearer how deep down, our issues have so much in common. It feels like food for the soul. People say things that change me so profoundly… It’s been so helpful to be able to look at my reactions that come up and to question myself… It’s allowed me to question my own perspective.”   

• “I have a soul full of love that I don’t listen to that well. What I decide to do each minute, whenever I’m communicating or interacting with anyone, I’d like to be in touch with that. When I take a pause, I realize I want to be in touch with that.”

• “It’s felt like home, a big home, not a small one. A space for everybody, and all parts of each of us. Rather than trying to appear a certain way, this space has helped me show up with all parts of myself. And with that, there seems to come some relief, acceptance, and energy to live more fully.”   

• “I feel like I go around life being pulled in a lot of directions, and things are just happening to me. Being in this space, I’ve been able to look at the inner workings of my brain, and how history and memory affect how I engage with the world. It’s helped create a space between initial stimuli and my reactions, and find a space that’s more grounded, real, and full of possibility.”   

• “I came in approaching this from an academic mindset, and along the way I realized I needed to move intentionally and unintentionally to a place where there’s more being present in the moment, and observing both within myself and through the connectedness to each person in the group… to be able to just flow without trying to control, manipulate… but just be… I’ve had the opportunity to watch and observe on a much deeper level my true self… to be less judgmental of myself and of others… It’s helped me explore who I am instead of who I think I am and who I’ve been told I am. It’s helped me to explore all this with others as connected allies and friends.” 

Collaborating Organizations

If you would like to explore something along these lines at your organization, in your community, or in your personal life, please reach out to us at info@omah.org.