Juniper House
Healing space & spiritual direction
Project Description
Spaces and ceremonies abound for tangible loss. There are funerals, cemeteries, and memorials. And that matters because these spaces help us find meaning in our loss. In order to heal, we need to inhabit the uninhabitable. Grief is sacred, and it demands space. Built spaces, specifically homelike environments, can facilitate behaviors and emotions that support emotional healing and well-being.
This type of space is glaringly missing for those experiencing ambiguous loss, such as infertility, divorce, chronic pain, and so much more. One key way to find healing is by finding meaning - something a physical space can help facilitate.
Juniper House will provide respite in the form of private retreat space, holistic spiritual direction, healing touch, and more — all in a space curated to facilitate emotional well-being.
I am seeking funding for a down payment for a physical space, furnishing the space, and initial operating costs. I decided to rely primarily on crowd funding to raise the capital funds because it is a way to invite community into what is largely a private healing space. Community is important to healing, so I'm hoping that building Juniper House together will itself bring healing energy into the space.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who is the founder? Katie Koranda is a writer, photographer, and bit of a mystic. Having been through ambiguous loss, she feels a distinct calling to “become the sanctuary you have found” as Jan Richardson puts it in Circle of Grace. Juniper House introduced came to Katie as a living, breathing idea in the spring of 2023. In addition to building Juniper House, she is seeking a spiritual direction certificate.
- What are some of the details of the space? Juniper House is designed to facilitate healing. You’ll be able to rent the space hourly or nightly for a respite or retreat package. We’ll also offer a variety of healing services like sound baths, healing touch, reiki, and spiritual direction. Inside, we’ll have spaces for meditation & yoga, making art & music, journaling, cooking, making tea, and taking luxurious baths. Think plants, eucalyptus, salt lamps, herbal teas and flower essences. Overstuffed chairs and soft blankets. Sunlight, walls of books, soothing music. Outdoors, we’ll have garden space, where people can plant something to honor their grief. We’ll also have a working memorial that everyone who uses Juniper House is invited to add to. My dream is to even have a small walking labyrinth.
- I saw you listed healing touch and sound baths. Who are some of the partner practitioners? I am currently in talks with a few incredible practitioners and am excited to announce them once we are closer to our launch date.
- Speaking of the launch date, what IS it? I will complete my spiritual direction certificate in 2025 and plan on launching Juniper House then. On one hand, it seems far away, but on the other, I know I have lots of money to raise and work to do in the next two years!
- So, is Juniper House a nonprofit? Great question! I haven't decided on the business model yet, but I am leaning towards 501 (c)(3) because of the mission. At some point, I would like to be able to subsidize some of the costs for people dealing with the financial burdens of ambiguous loss.
- You use lots of terms like ambiguous loss. I don't know what that is. Fair! When I talk about ambiguous loss, I am speaking somewhat broadly about non-death losses. Infertility, divorce, chronic pain or illness, big moves, etc. That said, there are a lot of "death" losses that can be ambiguous and/or fall in the category of disenfranchised grief. You can find a glossary of terms on our website. I also am posting them on Instagram!
Just Because I Care
Donate $50 or more for a shoutout as a founding donor on social media and/or our website.
When you donate $100 or more, you'll become a "close friend" on Instagram for exclusive updates
I'm not exactly sure what this will look like yet, but I'm thinking about bricks, plaques, etc. with your name + founding donor
For donations of $1,000 or more, you'll receive everything listed in the previous categories as well as a gift box of Juniper House swag.
Rewards
Just Because I Care
Donate $50 or more for a shoutout as a founding donor on social media and/or our website.
When you donate $100 or more, you'll become a "close friend" on Instagram for exclusive updates
I'm not exactly sure what this will look like yet, but I'm thinking about bricks, plaques, etc. with your name + founding donor
For donations of $1,000 or more, you'll receive everything listed in the previous categories as well as a gift box of Juniper House swag.