Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing
A Healing Space for Women Who Have Survived Sexual Abuse & Racialized Trauma
This Recovery Week is a holistic experience designed to create a relational, healing space for survivors to explore and engage the present impact of their stories of past sexual abuse. Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing is a focused, immersive experience designed to help survivors explore the ways their stories of past racial and sexual abuse, before the age of eighteen, have shaped their lives. These intensive workshops led by Linda Royster, LCMHC, along with Allender Center Facilitators, encourage participants toward a deep engagement of the psychological, spiritual, embodied, and social aspects of both the personal and collective experience of trauma and abuse.
Designed for, and led by, Black, Indigenous, Latina, and Asian/Pacific Islander women, this three-and-a-half-day intensive workshop is an opportunity to reflect on the wounds of your past, understand their impact, and learn to bless your story.
Racial and sexual trauma, which are essentially identical, influence us physiologically and psychologically.” -Linda Royster, LCHMC, The Implications for African American Women in Dr. Dan Allender’s book, Healing the Wounded Heart
Want to attend a Recovery Week in 2026? Start here.
The next Women’s Recovery Week is June 14-17, 2026, in Bethany, PA. Applications are now open now through January 26th!
Questions? We encourage you to reach out to our Programs Team at programs@theallendercenter.org with your questions and to receive more information.
Recovery Weeks fill quickly every year, and spots are limited, so the best way to receive the latest updates is by adding your name to our Interest List here. No pressure, no commitment—just a simple way to stay in the loop and take the next step when you’re ready.
Quick Links:
About Recovery Week | Important Dates & Location | How to Apply | Costs & Scholarships
Preparing for Recovery Week | Schedule | Lodging & Meails | Travel | Disclaimer | Cancellation Policy | FAQs | Testimonials
About Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing
Recovery Week offers a kind, nurturing environment for participants to engage this sacred, healing work away from everyday distractions and in the context of relationship with other survivors. This three-and-a-half-day intensive workshop provides teaching and discussion with Linda Royster, LCMHC, extending from Dr. Allender’s work in the book The Wounded Heart.
Recovery Week also includes small Story Group work facilitated by Linda Royster and an Allender Center-trained Facilitator. These groups are carefully curated spaces that invite participants to explore past abuse and its effects. Participants will be able to share their stories and struggles with others, as well as in daily individual sessions with an Allender Center Facilitator trained in Narrative Focused Trauma Care®.
This Women’s Recovery Week provides a focus on Racial Trauma and Healing as a lens through which to examine stories of harm through the unique cultural and societal perspectives of women who may hold shared experiences. This workshop is both designed for, and led by, Women of Color. This Recovery Week is intentionally small, limited to 10 participants.
Important Dates & Location:
Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing 2026 Dates: June 14-17, 2026
Location: The Mansion at Noble Lane, 37 Noble Lane, Bethany, PA 18431
Application Dates & Deadlines:
- Applications open: Jan 7, 2026
- Applications close: Jan 26, 2026
- Interview window: Feb 10-13, 2026
- Decision letters sent: Feb 20, 2026
- Registration/Begin payment deadline: Mar 2, 2026
Applications must be fully complete (online application, letter of recommendation, and scholarship request if applicable) to receive consideration and move forward with the required interview, which will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Please carefully read all of the details about how to apply below.
How to Apply for Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing:
We’ve introduced a new application process to provide clear expectations, transparency, and support for every applicant. Each application is carefully reviewed by our Programs Team to ensure readiness, safety, and relational fit for this intensive experience.
Step 1: Submit Your Application Materials (Jan 7-26, 2026)
Applications open January 7, 2026, and close January 26, 2026. To be considered, you must complete all four parts:
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Online Application: Fill out the short online application form during the application window.
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Letter of Reference: Provide the name and email of someone who knows your story (mentor, pastor, small group leader, or counselor). After you submit this, we’ll contact your reference directly with a form to complete. Your application is not complete until the reference form is received. You can track the status in your application portal. You may also wish to follow up with your reference to ensure they have submitted your letter of reference.
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Application Fee: A non-refundable $50 application fee is required.
- Scholarship Request (if applicable): If you want to be considered for a partial scholarship, include your request with your application. Requests submitted after the application window may not be eligible.
Important: Applications missing any of the above will not be considered. All materials are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early. Late or incomplete applications may only be considered during the Waitlist Round.
Step 2: Schedule Your Interview (Feb 10-13, 2026)
Once your application and reference are reviewed, our Programs Team will reach out to you to schedule a one-on-one online interview, which will take place between February 10-13, 2026. Interviews provide a safe space to share your story, ask questions, and discern readiness. Interview slots are available on a first come, first served basis. You must complete your interview within the interview window of February 10-13, 2026; if not, your application will be waitlisted.
Step 3: Receive Your Decision (Feb 20, 2026)
After interviews, our team will carefully review each application. You will receive a decision letter on or before February 20, 2026, with instructions for next steps.
Step 4: Complete Your Registration & Begin Your Payment Plan (by March 2, 2026)
Once accepted, you have until March 2, 2026, to secure your seat by making your first payment through your online learning portal. If your first payment is not received by the deadline of March 2, 2026, your spot will be released to the Waitlist Round.
Costs & Payment Policy
The total cost of this workshop is $3,595. The fee completely covers the costs of the 3.5-day intensive workshop, including lodging and meals.
At the time of application, a $50 application fee is due. The $50 application fee helps us provide a seamless and intentional application process.
To secure your seat, you must make a payment. You may choose to pay in full or set up a payment plan for four (4) equal monthly payments.
Sliding Scale Scholarships are Available
We believe in the importance of this work and do our best to make this offering accessible. If the cost of the workshop is a barrier, we encourage you to invite your community to consider sponsoring you. We are also grateful to be able to offer a limited number of partial scholarships thanks to the generosity of our donor community. We offer two scholarship tiers: 15% off and 30% off. Instructions to request a scholarship are explained in detail within your application portal.
To determine which scholarship amount is right for you, please refer to this Green Bottle Sliding Scale graphic designed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk. If you fall into the “full bottle” category on the scale, we ask that you not request a scholarship for this program. If you fall into the “half-full bottle” category on the scale, please request a scholarship amount of 15% off. If you fall into the “quarter-full bottle” category on this scale, please request a scholarship amount of 30% off.
If you have been impacted by the work of The Allender Center and want to invest in healing spaces for those who have experienced sexual abuse, we would be honored to receive your gift. Visit our Giving page.
Preparing for Recovery Week
Engaging the Healing the Wounded Heart online course is recommended before arriving at Recovery Week. Our hope is that the course will foster categories and a shared language among the group that will deepen your experience. Individuals accepted into a Recovery Week will be able to access the course at no additional cost.
Schedule
Recovery Week is a 3.5-day workshop with check-in beginning at 4 PM Eastern Time on Sunday, June 14th and concluding at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 17th. The schedule allows for periods of rest and reflection for each participant as well as time with others. Each day includes 3 meals together with others at the retreat as well as teaching time with Linda Royster, a 2-hour facilitated small group and an individual session with a facilitator. Each participant’s schedule is dependent on the timing of their particular group and individual session.
Your schedule may look like:
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:00-10:00 AM: Teaching with Linda Royster
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Small group time
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch
Afternoon: Free time for resting, journaling, walks, etc.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Individual session or Small group time
6:00 – 7:00 PM: Dinner
Evening activities vary from day to day.
*All times listed in local (Eastern) time and subject to minor adjustments.
Lodging & Meals
Women’s Recovery Weeks include lodging for three nights and four days at the Mansion at Noble Lane, in Bethany, Pennsylvania in the scenic Poconos. This Premier Akwaaba Inn is a charming Bed & Breakfast owned by Monique Greenwood (meet your host here) with an excellent rating on Tripadvisor.
Set on 22 acres, the Mansion features 14 uniquely designed guest rooms, each with a private bath—including rain showers and soaking or jetted tubs—and oversized windows that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. Guests can enjoy the heated indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, outdoor tennis courts, a fitness facility, and the surrounding natural scenery. You can view the venue’s accessibility statement here.
Recovery Week participants must stay at the lodging provided by the Allender Center. All meals are included and accommodations can be made for dietary restrictions. The entire Mansion is reserved exclusively for our group, and each participant receives a private room to ensure peace, privacy, and relaxation throughout the week.
Location: The Mansion at Noble Lane, 37 Noble Lane, Bethany, PA 18431
View image gallery of The Mansion at Noble Inn
Travel
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Recovery Week. We advise you to wait to make flight arrangements until you have received notification of your acceptance into the workshop. The Mansion at Noble Inn is located about 30 miles from the Wilkes-Barre International Airport, or 120 miles from the Philadelphia International Airport. Participants are encouraged to consider rideshare options (e.g., Uber, Lyft, or Taxi) or driving a personal vehicle if preferred (there is ample parking at the facility).
Disclaimer
Recovery Weeks are a unique psycho-educational experience that allows you to engage your life stories specifically as they relate to narratives of sexual abuse. The sessions are designed to encourage you to engage your story in a holistic way by exploring psychological, spiritual, biological, and social aspects of the experience of trauma and abuse. Please note: this program is not therapy and does not act as a substitute for therapeutic engagement.
These workshops are a time to reflect on how abuse has shaped your life. Some of the issues considered are betrayal, powerlessness, ambivalence, and how the gospel frees us to trust, dream, and embrace life. You will be invited to engage the profound brokenness of your heartache all the while learning to love your own story.
Cancellation Policy
Due to the intimate nature of this workshop, it is important to thoughtfully consider the time, financial, and emotional costs of participating prior to enrolling. With very limited seats available, we take seriously our responsibility to honor the integrity of this workshop and the brave individuals who participate.
The Allender Center understands that unforeseen circumstances may arise and wants to be as clear as possible about our financial policies regarding payments, cancellations, and refunds. This policy exists because your enrollment reserves a limited spot in our program, and cancellations close to the start date make it difficult for us to fill that space. We strive to steward our resources wisely, and withdrawals create financial challenges that impact our ability to operate and serve others effectively. We appreciate your understanding of the commitments required to sustain this program for all participants.
By enrolling in this program, you acknowledge and agree to the following payment and refund policies:
- The $50 application fee and a $500 enrollment deposit (included in your first payment) are non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances.
If you cancel or withdraw from the program, any additional program fees may be refundable or still due, based on the following schedule. Refunds and amounts due are calculated based on the total program cost, not the amount paid to date.
- More than 45 days before the program start date (before April 15, 2026): After $500 nonrefundable deposit, 100% of remaining program fees refundable
- 30–44 days before the program start date (April 15 – May 1, 2026): After $500 nonrefundable deposit, 50% of remaining program fees refundable (the remaining 50% is retained or still due if not yet paid)
- Less than 30 days before the program start date or anytime after the start date (After May 1, 2026): No refund (100% of program fees are retained or still due if not yet paid)
If there is an outstanding balance at the time of cancellation or withdrawal, you are still required to pay any amount due according to the schedule above, whether through an existing payment plan or another payment method.
If you choose to cancel or withdraw your registration, please notify us in writing by sending an email to programs@theallendercenter.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this workshop different from other Recovery Weeks?
- Highly specialized content focused on the particularity of issues related to the impact of sexual abuse and needs related to recovery for Women of Color.
- Attendance is limited to 10 participants to allow for a smaller, more focused and tailored setting.
- This workshop is 3.5 days rather than 6 days to make it more accessible and affordable.
- Additional care and time is taken in the application and acceptance discernment process, to ensure this is an experience that centers Black, Indigenous, Latina, and Asian/Pacific Islander people as the global majority of the world’s population.
How do I know I’m ready for a Recovery Week?
If you’ve already begun engaging your story—through a Story Workshop, Narrative Focused Trauma Care training, work with an NFTC-trained individual, or in individual or group therapy—you may find Recovery Week to be a meaningful next step. If you’re brand new to story work or group work, it can feel like a big leap, and that’s okay. We’d be glad to talk with you about whether this is the right time. Please reach out to our team at programs@theallendercenter.org.
Can I still apply if I have already attended a Recovery Week?
Yes! This work is lifelong, and many participants return to Recovery Week more than once. We think you will find this to be a different experience.
Will Dan Allender be leading this Recovery Week?
No. This workshop is solely led by Linda Royster, LCMHC, along with Black, Indigenous, Latina, and Asian/Pacific Islander staff and facilitators from the Allender Center.
Is everything I share kept confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a core value of Recovery Week. While you’ll be sharing within a small group, each participant commits to honoring one another’s stories with care and respect. Our Facilitators and Instructors also hold confidentiality as a sacred trust.
What if I need financial help to attend?
We know the cost of Recovery Week can feel like a barrier. That’s why we offer a limited number of scholarships each year. You can request scholarship consideration as part of your application. We also encourage you to ask your community for support. Many participants have obtained support from their church or other fundraising efforts.
If you have more questions, we’d be glad to assist you. Please email us at programs@theallendercenter.org for more information.
Testimonials
What previous participants of Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing have said:
“I was completely engulfed in the satisfaction I felt as our grounding exercises, teaching, small group, etc culminated in giving us back to the Lord. I love that the leaders did not rush us when crying, did not pat our backs, but simply allowed our tears to fall. And, even – to cry with us. What an amazingly fruitful and fulfilling experience. This retreat was nothing short of powerful.” -Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing Participant
The impact of being in a group comprised solely of women of color was tremendous. This environment offered a sense of safety, camaraderie, and belonging that would not have been possible in a more racially diverse group or a group that included the presence of any men. So, I am incredibly thankful for this!” -Women’s Recovery Week with a Focus on Racial Trauma & Healing Participant
