Retreats

Imagine hearing the echo of 50,000 women's voices singing the melodious strains of the chorus: Keep on moving forward, Keep on moving forward, Never turning back, Never turning back! The setting was the Fourth World Conference on Women in China 10 years ago. As I stood amid women from every continent on the earth at the closing ceremony, I was deeply impressed with the power of women's resolve to GROW.

Every woman has a story. Many women all over the world today are grappling with their own subservience, and difficult relationships. Many women are challenged to grow personally because they know they can make a difference in our world. Every woman has learned valuable lessons about the growth process. We have much to learn from one another as we come together in a safe community at this retreat to support women's growth potential for Moving Forward...

This retreat is designed for women seeking to expand their growth.
(This retreat is not designed as a psychotherapy experience, but rather as an opportunity for personal self growth.)

The structure of the retreat will provide the opportunity for:

1. Exploring how you perceive you have grown over your life time.
2. Clarifying where you are now in your growth.
3. Describing what gets in the way of your growth.
4. Defining how you want to grow at this time.
5. Identifying what strengths you have to support your growth, and what other types of support you need in order to realize your growth dreams and goals.

Testimonials

The following are testimonials from women who attended the last Women Who Choose To Grow retreat at Le ferme de le sokiel.

“Women Who Choose to Grow” is a women’s retreat whose miracles do not disappear when you leave. The people, the place, the growth, and the sharing remains with you for a life time devoted to change and becoming. Kate - Conneaut, OH

Elaine has a deep wisdom which leads participants safely into their own hearts. Susan - Ashtabula, OH

The sharing of personal history and review through the eyes of others offered a wonderful recognition of how far each participant has journeyed on her path of growth. Peggie - Geneva, OH

Elaine is an excellent facilitator who listens intently while keeping her participants “safe”, and supporting each towards her next growth step(s). The farm provides a setting which facilitates participants being apart from the “pulls” of their daily responsibilities, so each can focus on her internal messages. Thank you Elaine. Sarah - Ashtabula, OH

“The Women Who Choose to Grow” retreat provided me the wonderful opportunity to meet and hear other women’s journeys of growth as well as share my own. I realized how I have grown over my life time and how often I grow. It helped me define what gets in my way of growth and how I can grow in the future. I hope we can meet together again. There is so much wealth of wisdom here and possibilities for healing and growth. Aleezabet-Geneva on the Lake, OH

Elaine and the Farm of the Sunlight are a wonderful and healing combination. No matter where one is in their growth there is positive insight and calming surroundings. Cheryl - Geneva, OH

Elaine (Cocanower) Marlowe was born, lived, and worked in Ashtabula County for many years. Elaine loves the land she knew as a child, and has returned to be the caretaker of the potential development at Le ferme de le sokeil, The Farm Of The Sunlight. She graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Education and taught in public school for 13 years. Elaine received her first Master's degree from Edinboro State University in Early Childhood Development and her second Master's in Community Counseling from Kent State University. In 2001, Dr. Marlowe graduated from Kent State University with her Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development Services. Her dissertation was a multicultural, qualitative study of how women grow to transcend their intergenerational family stories about women. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Dr. Marlowe has a private practice in Akron, Ohio, and she also sees clients at The Farm of the Sunlight in Jefferson, Ohio. Along with her own life experience, which has been dedicated to a path of growth, Elaine's research and counseling practice have guided her preparation for this retreat.