Homeless Outreach

***A 3-night / 4-day mindfulness retreat in Azumino, Nagano. Reconnect with yourself, reconnect with each other, and reconnect with nature.*** Join us this **Golden Week** for a slow, grounding reset in the Japanese Alps. For four days we’ll **put our phones away, meditate, hike, soak in onsen, eat incredible home-cooked meals, and spend time in a small, warm community.** The theme of this retreat is **The Art of Forgiveness and Loving-Kindness.** We explore this in two ways: 1\. The practice of opening the heart starts with **forgiveness.** The invitation is to begin to release all the emotional baggage we are holding onto — to let go of trying to change the past — and to make deep contact with what’s happening in the present moment. 2\*\*. Loving-kindness, also known as *metta*\*\* in Buddhism, softens the heart and mind and opens the possibility to build a new relationship to ourselves and each other. To, quite literally, befriend ourselves and enter into a more ‘friendly’ way of being. This has the potential to repattern and deeply shift our baseline inner voice and behavior. We’ll explore these heart-based and compassion practices through **guided meditations, pair practices, and group practices both indoors and outdoors**. There will be plenty of time to go to the onsen, have meaningful conversation, do some light hiking, and enjoy the spacious views of the Japanese alps. **Details:** 👇 * **Dates:** May 1–4, 2026 (3 nights / 4 days) * **Location:** Iramu Karapute, Azumino, Nagano (arrive by 5pm [on this train)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) * **Group size:** Max 12 participants * **Price:** ✅ **What's included** * 3 nights / 4 days at the retreat center * guided meditations + teachings * 3 meals per day * 2 onsen trips transportation to/from Hotaka Station (the nearest station) * optional 1:1 guidance during the retreat **❌ Not included:** The cost of transportation from Tokyo to the retreat center is not included in the price. The easiest way to get to the center is by shinkansen from Tokyo to Hotaka station. This is 7,500 yen one way. Also add-on services (acupuncture, massage, etc. if available) 🌙 **Who this is for** This retreat is for people who want a kinder, more heart-centered way of practicing mindfulness. Maybe you already meditate and want to explore practices like **metta, forgiveness, and compassion**, not just calm or focus. Or maybe you simply want a few days in nature to slow down, soften, and reconnect. It will also be a gentle crash course in heart practices, with space to practice both on and off the cushion. For those interested in going deeper, I’ll also offer guidance on how heart practices like metta and forgiveness can support deeper concentration and the jhanas. 🧘‍♂️ **What we’ll do** Over the four days we’ll blend: * guided meditations * nervous system + presence practices * heart practices * nature walks * two onsen trips * light partner exercises * creative / intuitive practices (movement, reflection, simple expression) There will also be plenty of downtime. This is not a silent retreat, but there will be periods of silence. 🏡 **Accommodation:** The retreat will be at the serene [Iramu Karapute](http://www.iramkarapte358.com/index.html) center in Nagano's wilderness, surrounded by the beauty of the Japanese alps. Food is cooked by the local staff and sourced from their gardens and is one of the highlights. Veggie options available. Max 12 people. 🙂 Picture of rooms [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14S4j_GMC2J8YFZxSdBksdGM0d7vz48N9/view)**.** 💴 **Price:** **¥88,000.** **[Pay here](https://buy.stripe.com/aFaeVccl5geB0mrdZLafS1q)** by credit card or here by[ ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704)**[bank transfer](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704).** Bonus: integration night add-on is ¥17,000 (May 4–5). [Pay here.](https://buy.stripe.com/7sY8wO98TgeBb159JvafS1o) *Cancellation policy:* 100% refund up to 2 days before the retreat 80% refund up to the retreat day. No refunds once the retreat begins. 🌱 **Optional Integration Day** If you want more space to chill, you can stay one extra night: **May 4 → May 5 (checkout at noon): ¥17,000.** This includes meals, guided meditation morning + evening, optional 30-minute private coaching / meditation session with me, and a full free day to walk, journal, rest, return to the onsen, and integrate. That makes the full experience 4 nights / 5 days. **🧥 What to Bring:** * A towel for the shower + onsen * Comfortable clothes; sweat pants, yoga pants, hoodies. * Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking * Water bottle * Notebook * An open heart and open mind :) 📍 **Meeting Point:** [Iramu Karapute](http://iramkarapte358.com/) and location on [Google maps](https://goo.gl/maps/BNabV1G2S4maeJLe9?coh=178573&entry=tt). We will meet at Hotaka station. I recommend [this train.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) The retreat will provide free car transportation from **Hotaka station to the center at 5:00pm Friday,** meeting at Hotaka station. Our dinner is at 6pm and opening ceremony at 7pm. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, you can get a taxi from there to the center. If taking a car directly there, parking nearby is provided free of charge. **📵 Digital detox:** We will take your phone at the start of the retreat and keep it in a safe place until lunch time on Monday. Please make arrangements to be completely offline. Emergency contact is 08051858742 (Misha). Don't worry, we'll get plenty of pictures! 📝 **Questionnaire:** Everyone is required to ***[fill out the questionnaire/ waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogceqDpuae5rezZwPKtighkLjUpTmTtzvPFIg9mcRQw/edit?usp=sharing)*** before the retreat. 👥 **About Your Guide: Misha Yurchenko** is a Tokyo-based **certified, trauma-informed meditation teacher and somatic coach** with 10+ years of experience. He has spent time on retreat around the world and practiced a range of techniques. After experiencing extreme burnout from his venture-funded startup, he founded **[Tokyo Mindfulness](https://tokyomindfulness.com/) and is dedicated to helping others on their healing journeys.** He takes an integrated and practical approach combining meditation, breathwork, and nervous system healing to help people let go of the ego, release old habit patterns and find inner freedom. He is the author of several books and lives in Nerima with his family.

Ukulele Club is a fun group for all ages and skill levels! There is no teacher, but we all help teach each other. Think of songs you would like to learn, and we can learn them together. If you don't have an ukulele, we have extra ukuleles When: *almost* Every Saturday, 10am-11:30am Admission: food/drink order

91st Regular Meeting of Ibaraki Toastmasters Club will be held on from 10.00 to 12.00 (Hybrid). You can join the meeting both online and in person. The meeting will be held based on the way of traditional Toastmasters club meeting. It consists of Table Topic Session, Workshop,Prepared Speech session and Evaluation session in English as follows. 10.00 Call to Order 10.02 Guest Introduction 10.15Table Topic Session 10.30 Intermission 11.00 Prepared Speech Session 11.40 Evaluation Session 11.50 Award Session 12.00 Adjouen The meeting is full of international atmosphere. Members cosist of American, Philippino, and Japanese. The meeting will be held (Hybrid ) . We will give the information of URL to those who register the participation in the event.

***A 3-night / 4-day mindfulness retreat in Azumino, Nagano. Reconnect with yourself, reconnect with each other, and reconnect with nature.*** Join us this **Golden Week** for a slow, grounding reset in the Japanese Alps. For four days we’ll **put our phones away, meditate, hike, soak in onsen, eat incredible home-cooked meals, and spend time in a small, warm community.** The theme of this retreat is **The Art of Forgiveness and Loving-Kindness.** We explore this in two ways: 1\. The practice of opening the heart starts with **forgiveness.** The invitation is to begin to release all the emotional baggage we are holding onto — to let go of trying to change the past — and to make deep contact with what’s happening in the present moment. 2\*\*. Loving-kindness, also known as *metta*\*\* in Buddhism, softens the heart and mind and opens the possibility to build a new relationship to ourselves and each other. To, quite literally, befriend ourselves and enter into a more ‘friendly’ way of being. This has the potential to repattern and deeply shift our baseline inner voice and behavior. We’ll explore these heart-based and compassion practices through **guided meditations, pair practices, and group practices both indoors and outdoors**. There will be plenty of time to go to the onsen, have meaningful conversation, do some light hiking, and enjoy the spacious views of the Japanese alps. **Details:** 👇 * **Dates:** May 1–4, 2026 (3 nights / 4 days) * **Location:** Iramu Karapute, Azumino, Nagano (arrive by 5pm [on this train)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) * **Group size:** Max 12 participants * **Price:** ✅ **What's included** * 3 nights / 4 days at the retreat center * guided meditations + teachings * 3 meals per day * 2 onsen trips transportation to/from Hotaka Station (the nearest station) * optional 1:1 guidance during the retreat **❌ Not included:** The cost of transportation from Tokyo to the retreat center is not included in the price. The easiest way to get to the center is by shinkansen from Tokyo to Hotaka station. This is 7,500 yen one way. Also add-on services (acupuncture, massage, etc. if available) 🌙 **Who this is for** This retreat is for people who want a kinder, more heart-centered way of practicing mindfulness. Maybe you already meditate and want to explore practices like **metta, forgiveness, and compassion**, not just calm or focus. Or maybe you simply want a few days in nature to slow down, soften, and reconnect. It will also be a gentle crash course in heart practices, with space to practice both on and off the cushion. For those interested in going deeper, I’ll also offer guidance on how heart practices like metta and forgiveness can support deeper concentration and the jhanas. 🧘‍♂️ **What we’ll do** Over the four days we’ll blend: * guided meditations * nervous system + presence practices * heart practices * nature walks * two onsen trips * light partner exercises * creative / intuitive practices (movement, reflection, simple expression) There will also be plenty of downtime. This is not a silent retreat, but there will be periods of silence. 🏡 **Accommodation:** The retreat will be at the serene [Iramu Karapute](http://www.iramkarapte358.com/index.html) center in Nagano's wilderness, surrounded by the beauty of the Japanese alps. Food is cooked by the local staff and sourced from their gardens and is one of the highlights. Veggie options available. Max 12 people. 🙂 Picture of rooms [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14S4j_GMC2J8YFZxSdBksdGM0d7vz48N9/view)**.** 💴 **Price:** **¥88,000.** **[Pay here](https://buy.stripe.com/aFaeVccl5geB0mrdZLafS1q)** by credit card or here by[ ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704)**[bank transfer](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bq5BFENiVoIQh1ik-dxgyGnjkuiKG4uvIKaS5UgpwBM/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=106280356530157518704).** Bonus: integration night add-on is ¥17,000 (May 4–5). [Pay here.](https://buy.stripe.com/7sY8wO98TgeBb159JvafS1o) *Cancellation policy:* 100% refund up to 2 days before the retreat 80% refund up to the retreat day. No refunds once the retreat begins. 🌱 **Optional Integration Day** If you want more space to chill, you can stay one extra night: **May 4 → May 5 (checkout at noon): ¥17,000.** This includes meals, guided meditation morning + evening, optional 30-minute private coaching / meditation session with me, and a full free day to walk, journal, rest, return to the onsen, and integrate. That makes the full experience 4 nights / 5 days. **🧥 What to Bring:** * A towel for the shower + onsen * Comfortable clothes; sweat pants, yoga pants, hoodies. * Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking * Water bottle * Notebook * An open heart and open mind :) 📍 **Meeting Point:** [Iramu Karapute](http://iramkarapte358.com/) and location on [Google maps](https://goo.gl/maps/BNabV1G2S4maeJLe9?coh=178573&entry=tt). We will meet at Hotaka station. I recommend [this train.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/itqYfenJDFwqvdp47) The retreat will provide free car transportation from **Hotaka station to the center at 5:00pm Friday,** meeting at Hotaka station. Our dinner is at 6pm and opening ceremony at 7pm. If you plan to arrive earlier or later, you can get a taxi from there to the center. If taking a car directly there, parking nearby is provided free of charge. **📵 Digital detox:** We will take your phone at the start of the retreat and keep it in a safe place until lunch time on Monday. Please make arrangements to be completely offline. Emergency contact is 08051858742 (Misha). Don't worry, we'll get plenty of pictures! 📝 **Questionnaire:** Everyone is required to ***[fill out the questionnaire/ waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogceqDpuae5rezZwPKtighkLjUpTmTtzvPFIg9mcRQw/edit?usp=sharing)*** before the retreat. 👥 **About Your Guide: Misha Yurchenko** is a Tokyo-based **certified, trauma-informed meditation teacher and somatic coach** with 10+ years of experience. He has spent time on retreat around the world and practiced a range of techniques. After experiencing extreme burnout from his venture-funded startup, he founded **[Tokyo Mindfulness](https://tokyomindfulness.com/) and is dedicated to helping others on their healing journeys.** He takes an integrated and practical approach combining meditation, breathwork, and nervous system healing to help people let go of the ego, release old habit patterns and find inner freedom. He is the author of several books and lives in Nerima with his family.

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

Who’s up for a fun night out? Get your boots on, grab your cowboy hat, and let’s have some fun! Thinking about checking out PBR Cowboy Bar & Smokehouse for a lively evening to unwind, connect, and enjoy the night together. • Lively atmosphere with country vibes • Delicious food + drinks • Music, dancing, and lots of laughs • Great conversation and new connections

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!