Katherine has recently joined the Hope & Cope community as a volunteer offering her expertise as a Reiki practitioner. Reiki is a Japanese practice that promotes nervous system regulation and supports physical and emotional well-being.
“Reiki, by its nature, is a very peaceful practice,” Katherine explains. “It is giving and supportive.”
She has experienced its benefits firsthand and believes that everyone should have access to this gentle healing approach, a conviction that inspires her volunteer work at Hope & Cope.
“The energy comes through the hands,” she says.
A Reiki session lasts about fifty minutes and is accompanied by soothing music. At Hope & Cope, Katherine’s primary goal is to create a deep sense of relaxation. She also invites each person to set an intention at the beginning of the session to help guide the experience.
“If someone is feeling tired,” she explains, “the intention might be to cultivate more energy.”
Though touch is not the primary focus of Reiki, Katherine explains that, once the person is comfortably settled, she begins the session with a gentle holding of the head. For most of the treatment, her hands hover over the body, a technique used in Reiki practice to facilitate the flow of energy. At the close of the fifty-minute session, depending on the individual’s needs, she may rest her hands lightly on the person’s feet for a few moments.
Katherine’s intention is to be fully present with each person who comes to see her. She does not ask many questions but listens attentively if someone wishes to talk. Above all, she seeks to offer a period of complete rest, a chance to set aside, if only briefly, the worries and challenges of daily life.
“Most people fall into a deep sleep and wake up feeling very relaxed,” Katherine says. “Some people have described the experience as feeling like they’re floating on the clouds.”
“Whenever you’re in a position to give back, it’s important to do so.”
Offering Reiki as a volunteer is Katherine’s way of giving back to the community. Through her practice, she hopes to provide “a moment of respite and peace, away from health concerns.”
Her commitment to volunteering is grounded in personal experience. The loss of her father when she was fifteen years old impacted her deeply. At the time, she felt powerless to help him through his illness, and that sense of helplessness has moved her to help others through difficult health journeys.
The first Reiki session she offered at Hope & Cope was especially emotional.
“I thought a lot about my father,” she recalls. “It was as if I was facing my own wound. At the same time, I was so happy to begin volunteering. Volunteering is something I have wanted to do for a long time.”
At the Wellness Centre, Katherine has found a meaningful way to fulfil that long-held desire.
“I’m so happy to be at Hope & Cope,” she says, “and so happy to be able to provide moments of peace.”
First impression of the Wellness Centre
“Arriving at Hope & Cope for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect,” Katherine says. “I thought it might be dreary and sad. Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately noticed how beautiful the place is and how homey and welcoming it feels.”
To her, the Wellness Centre is a safe and inviting space where people facing health challenges can explore a wide range of activities, including art, music, cooking, and therapeutic practices.
Katherine speaks with profound gratitude about the Hope & Cope community she has become a part of.
“Everyone here, volunteers and staff alike, is warm and welcoming,” she says. “I’m thankful for the support they have given me and for the sense of community they provide.”
That feeling of community was an unexpected gift. Though she knows that many participants are navigating difficult times, she is struck by the atmosphere of optimism that permeates the Centre.
“I know people are going through difficult passages in their lives,” she says, “but the general ambiance of Hope & Cope is one of positivity despite those difficulties. I don’t feel overwhelmed or sad at the end of my volunteer sessions. I really feel the positive side.”
For Katherine, the name Hope & Cope is perfect as it interprets so well the Centre’s mission.
“Hope & Cope gives people the opportunity to bring light and joy to others,” she says. “Volunteering here is extremely rewarding. When I finish a session, I feel good, not only because I am offering something of value, but also because of the positive support I receive from the staff and other volunteers, and the grateful feedback from those who have experienced a session.”
To schedule a Reiki session with Katherine, contact the Wellness Center at 514-340-3616.
To become a volunteer at Hope & Cope, please fill out our online form.
