During follow-up with members six weeks after the termination of
the group, members requested a follow-up retreat meeting. Leaders
designed a day retreat with a group format based on the written
(‘‘I would like to spend some time with the group in nature like when
I was a child.’’) and verbal evaluations of the year-long group (‘‘I can
see myself doing a retreat only with the people I know in group—no
new members’’). The retreat was held in a private park outdoors,
and it was a one-time only event designed for and open only to members
who had previously participated in the group. Although space
does not allow discussion of the details of this day-long retreat, the
general format of the retreat included hour-long explorations of topics
such as self-esteem, role of women in South Asian culture, resilience
from abuse, nature walks, and community meals. The group members
and facilitators brought South Asian blankets and food, which were
arranged on the ground for maximum comfort of the participants.