Cheryl Mitchell, Chief Program Officer of Bowery Mission

“Alexandra Vassilaros is a beloved part of our community. Since 2012 her writing workshops have created a tender and healing path into community for the women of The Bowery Mission. With exceptional insight and care, Alexandra creates a safe place for each woman to give voice to her unique story.”

Sensei Robert Chodo Campbell, Co-Founder of The New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care

"The journey towards healing can be complex and heartbreaking. Alexandra has a unique gift. She is able to meet each person where they are in their sorrow and uncertainty. Because of her gifts as a writer and her personal experience of loss she is able to lead participants with compassion. I have personally attended Alexandra’s workshop and was so moved by the group’s willingness to trust her as well as the process that she brings to this important work helping people discover the strength and resilience to continue on their journey of recovery.” 

Vivian Williams-Kurutz, Founder and Executive Director of Harlem Wellness Center

"Alexandra's Writing for Racial Healing workshop is what the world needs to move us toward constructive individual and collective examination and healing in these challenging times. Gently and skillfully, Alexandra shepherded our group through a supportive space that allowed us to listen deeply, silence our critical voice, and free ourselves to write and share our deepest truths. By opening our hearts and offering our stories to one another, we connected more authentically as a group and left the workshop taking a piece of each other with us in the very best way."

Jill Kearney, Founder and Executive Director of ArtYard

“Alexandra’s virtual Make Meaning Workshop at ArtYard embodied our mission in every way. Her gentle, wise and nuanced approach made all participants feel seen and held. The process invited written responses to prompts that allowed each participant to process grief or challenges without being asked to share particulars or feel exposed. I heard from numerous participants that it was a profound experience that created a longed for compassionate community in which disparate backgrounds melted away. Friendships were forged, and artistic collaborations ensued. We look forward to bringing Alexandra back to ArtYard. "

Niki, workshop participant

"Having the experience of sharing and receiving unfiltered truths with strangers was profound. It was both invigorating and relieving. Carrying around the heaviness without an outlet can be exhausting. Being able to share the weight through genuine connection and expression has been invaluable — a rare yet simple privilege. It has allowed me to see my pain not as a burden I must carry, but a rock on which I can stand to see greater heights.”

Gabriela, workshop participant

“It was a gift of human beauty, of love, of grief, of showing me how wonderful we are as humans, beautiful, caring as we love, as we suffer, as we share our pain. We are courageous without limits.We are love without limits. We are grief without limits. Most of all we are humans and thank you for that. Gracias for letting me feel human.”

Ramona, workshop participant

“This workshop allowed me to access memories and experiences that are hard for me to face completely, and, without the group's support, might choose to avoid. Even as I want to remember everything, I usually can't let myself ‘go there.’ Your group motivated me to do that–and I am grateful for that because even as it hurts, I know I will be glad I did it in the long run."