WORLD Retreats

WORLD Retreats

WORLD holds semi-annual retreats, also known as Wellness Summits, for women living with HIV, usually held overnight in the Spring and/or Fall held at a location within 2 hours of Oakland. WORLD has held 39 retreats in 20 years. The first WORLD retreat was held in 1991 at the Marin Headlands. Other favorite retreat sites have included Santa Cruz and other special spots throughout Northern California. Each retreat provides up to 40 women with a holistic experience that includes treatment education workshops, stress management, art activities, support groups, safer sex information, and discussions on topics including disclosure and stigma.  There is also a fun-filled WORLD Idol show that is often a retreat highlight.  Let’s just say that we can’t help but have fun!

Retreats provide positive health and wellness education in safe, supportive environments.  First-timers at WORLD Retreats have found it empowering to meet and network with other WORLD women. In many cases, WORLD retreats are the first time they have been with other HIV+ women. Participants have come from California, Texas, Alaska, Florida, New York, New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Oregon, Nevada, Tennessee, Canada, Kansas City, Israel and Africa. It is quite common for women to leave a WORLD retreat feeling rested, inspired and having a larger social support network to deal with their HIV and challenges of everyday life.

Check out the program from our last WORLD Women’s Wellness Summit, held at the beautiful Saratoga Springs Retreat Center in Upper Lake, CA, over August 26-28, 2019.