What is HHC? The Heart and Home Collaborative is a non-profit women’s shelter serving women* who are unhoused in Palo Alto, California. HHC provides nightly winter shelter, locations rotating through different places of worship in Palo Alto.

Position Overview

As a Banyan HHC Wellness Facilitator, you will co-create healing experiences with women experiencing homelessness at the Heart and Home Collective seasonal shelter in Palo Alto. You will work as part of a two-person team to hold a safe, welcoming space where women can experience self-care, community connection, and gentle practices for body, mind, and spirit wellness during our monthly wellness circles. 

Key Qualifications

• Lived experience and authentic connection to the challenges that affect many women experiencing homelessness - such as housing instability, poverty, trauma, abuse, addiction, mental health struggles, neglect, or systemic barriers

• Natural ability to create safety and trust through genuine empathy and shared understanding of life's challenges

• Willingness to learn gentle movement, breathwork, metric collection and wellness practices through hands-on experience

• Commitment to personal growth and walking the healing journey alongside participants

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect across diverse backgrounds and experiences

• Resilience and emotional stability while remaining open to continued learning and support

• Belief in the power of community and healing together

• Reliability and commitment to showing up consistently and on time to create trust with the HHC staff and the shelter participants. 

• Cultural sensitivity: Approaching participants' diverse experiences and backgrounds with respect and openness

• Healthy boundaries: Maintaining appropriate facilitator boundaries while being authentic and caring

• Supporting community connection: Helping participants feel connected to each other and the group despite the transient nature of shelter life

• Holding space for emotions: Being comfortable when participants have emotional responses during practices

• Creating welcoming presence: Learning to hold calm, grounded energy that helps others feel safe in a shelter environment

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate understands firsthand that healing happens in community. You may have experienced your own journey through housing instability, recovery, or other life challenges, and you're ready to hold space for others on their path. You don't need to be a certified yoga teacher or wellness expert - we're looking for someone with heart, authenticity, and a commitment to showing up for women who are often overlooked and underserved.

You understand that our role is not to "fix" or "save," but to offer a safe space as compassionate witnesses while creating opportunities for rest, reflection, and sharing. You believe that women experiencing homelessness possess incredible strength and resourcefulness, and you're ready to honor that strength while gently introducing the power of community support.

How to Apply

With your resume please submit:

• A brief letter sharing why this role speaks to you and any relevant lived or professional experience

• Contact information for two references who can speak to your ability to hold space for others

• Your availability during shelter season (November through April, Mon-Th) please note that sessions are offered in the evening  6p-8pm 

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Pay
Lead Facilitator: $125
Support Staff: $100

[APPLY HERE]

What is Elmwood Detention Center? The Elmwood Women's Facility in Milpitas, CA , houses approximately 250 female inmates. Banyan currently offers wellness services to the minimum security wing. Many of these women are completing their sentences and preparing to reenter society. 

Position Overview

As a Banyan Elmwood Wellness Facilitator, you will co-create healing experiences with women at the Elmwood Detention Center. You will work as part of a two-person team to hold a safe, welcoming space where women can experience self-care, community connection, and gentle practices for body, mind, and spirit wellness.

Key Qualifications

• Lived experience and authentic connection to the challenges that affect many women in the justice system - such as poverty, trauma, abuse, addiction, neglect, or systemic barriers

• Natural ability to create safety and trust through genuine empathy and shared understanding of life's challenges

• Willingness to learn gentle movement, breathwork, and wellness practices through hands-on experience

• Commitment to personal growth and walking the healing journey alongside participants

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect across diverse backgrounds and experiences

• Resilience and emotional stability while remaining open to continued learning and support

• Belief in the power of community and healing together

• Reliability and commitment to showing up consistently for participants

• Openness to feedback and collaboration in the co-facilitation model

Essential Skills (Developed Through Banyan Training)

• Creating welcoming presence: Learning to hold calm, grounded energy that helps others feel safe

• Basic movement guidance: Practicing simple movements and stretches that can be shared with participants

• Simple breathwork: Learning basic breathing practices for relaxation and stress relief

• Gentle facilitation: Understanding how to offer movement and practices with choice and modifications

• Recognizing stress responses: Noticing when someone feels overwhelmed or uncomfortable

• Basic grounding techniques: Learning simple practices to help participants feel safe and present

• Cultural sensitivity: Approaching participants' diverse experiences and backgrounds with respect and openness

• Healthy boundaries: Maintaining appropriate facilitator boundaries while being authentic and caring

• Supporting community connection: Helping participants feel connected to each other and the group

• Holding space for emotions: Being comfortable when participants have emotional responses during practices

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate understands firsthand that healing happens in community. You may have experienced your own journey through mental health issues, abuse/neglect,  recovery, or other life challenges, and you're ready to hold space for others on their path. You don't need to be a certified yoga teacher or wellness expert - we're looking for someone with heart, authenticity, and a commitment to showing up for women who are often overlooked and underserved.

You understand that our role is not to "fix" or "save," but to offer a safe space as compassionate witnesses while creating opportunities for rest, reflection, and sharing. You believe that women serving time have incredible strength and resilience. You are ready to honor that strength while gently introducing the power of community support .

How to Apply

With your resume please submit:

• A brief letter sharing why this role speaks to you and any relevant lived or professional experience

• Contact information for two references who can speak to your ability to hold space for others

• Your daytime availability Monday-Thursday

Location: Milpitas, CA

Pay
Lead Facilitator: $31.85/hr plus pay for security clearance paperwork and safety training

Co-Facilitator: $29.67/hr plus pay for security clearance paperwork and safety training

[APPLY HERE]

What is Banyan Tree Women's Collective?

Banyan Tree Women's Collective is a community-centered wellness organization dedicated to bringing accessible healing practices and ancestral wisdom to diverse communities. We provide programming and pop-up wellness events at local recreation centers, community gatherings, and public spaces throughout the region. Our practitioners offer a range of holistic services that honor both traditional and contemporary approaches to wellbeing.

Position Overview

As a Banyan Tree Women's Collective Practitioner, you will serve as a facilitator and wellness provider for our community outreach events and public programming initiatives. This contractual role involves delivering specialized wellness services at various locations including recreation centers, community events, and pop-up wellness gatherings. We are seeking practitioners skilled in nutritional counseling, sound healing, breathwork, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Chi Gong, and other ancestral wellness practices. Opportunities arise throughout the year on a project basis, offering flexibility and the chance to share your healing gifts with diverse communities.

Key Qualifications

• Certification or demonstrable expertise in one or more wellness modalities: nutrition, sound healing, breathwork, EFT, Chi Gong, Reiki, meditation, yoga, or other ancestral/traditional healing practices

• Experience facilitating wellness sessions in community settings, with ability to adapt practices for diverse audiences and varying experience levels

• Cultural sensitivity and awareness with genuine respect for diverse healing traditions and the communities we serve

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to create welcoming, inclusive spaces that honor all participants

• Flexibility and adaptability to work in various community settings including outdoor spaces, recreation centers, and unconventional venues

• Commitment to accessibility and removing barriers to wellness services for underserved communities

• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to various locations throughout the service area

• Availability for daytime, evening, and weekend programming as opportunities arise

Essential Skills (Supported Through Banyan Collaboration)

• Creating inclusive environments: Establishing spaces where all participants feel welcome regardless of background, ability, or experience level

• Adaptive teaching: Modifying practices and approaches based on participant needs, physical limitations, and cultural considerations

• Community engagement: Building rapport quickly with diverse groups and fostering connection among participants

• Trauma-informed approach: Understanding how to offer practices with sensitivity to participants who may have experienced trauma

• Resource awareness: Ability to connect participants with additional community resources and support services when appropriate

• Professional boundaries: Maintaining appropriate practitioner-participant relationships while being warm and accessible

• Cultural humility: Honoring diverse healing traditions and being open to learning from the communities we serve

• Event coordination: Working collaboratively with event organizers, venue staff, and other practitioners

• Documentation skills: Maintaining appropriate records of services provided and participant attendance

• Emergency response: Basic knowledge of when to refer participants for medical or mental health support

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings both professional expertise and personal passion for making wellness accessible to all communities. You understand that healing happens through connection and that ancestral wisdom holds profound value alongside contemporary practices. You may have experienced your own wellness journey and understand the transformative power of having access to quality healing services.

You approach this work with cultural humility, recognizing that each community has its own strengths, wisdom, and healing traditions. You're excited about the opportunity to work in non-traditional settings and see the value in bringing wellness practices directly to communities that may face barriers to accessing these services. You believe in meeting people where they are, both literally and figuratively.

You understand that our role is to offer tools and create space for self-discovery and community healing. You're comfortable working independently while also collaborating with other practitioners and community partners. You're reliable, professional, and committed to the mission of making wellness practices accessible to all, regardless of economic status or background.

How to Apply

With your resume please submit:

• A brief letter describing your wellness modality expertise, relevant certifications, and why community-based wellness work speaks to you

• A sample session outline or description of a typical offering you would provide at a community event

• Your general availability for contract opportunities, including any scheduling constraints

• Documentation of relevant certifications, insurance, or professional credentials

Location: San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties

Pay: This is a contractual position with opportunities arising throughout the year based on community programming needs and funding availability. Compensation rates vary based on modality, session length, and event type. Specific contract terms will be discussed during the selection process.

[APPLY HERE]