Something Wild Has Bloomed!
- thegivingcypress
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
Hello, dear friends and supporters,
The past few years has been an incredible adventure, filled with twists, turns, and profound growth. During those years, I lived the life of a tireless nomad, always on the move. But beneath the adventure, I felt a deeper longing: the desire to put down roots.
Grind culture had me running on empty. Hustle culture? A slow poison to my nervous system. The endless news cycles, political noise, and doom scrolling left me feeling exhausted. So, I stepped away. I gave myself permission to pause and to withdraw from the social media scene. I embraced simplicity, wrapped up the nomadic chapter, and reconnected with one of my greatest joys: gardening.
And then, it happened. We finally found our roots in a cozy homestead 20 minutes from my hometown where the Giving Cypress was born. We took advantage of winter’s slower pace—settling in, creating routines, cleaning up, and hibernating. Now, as spring approaches, we’re ready to emerge!
Introducing: Wild Cypress 🌱
I’m stepping into a new chapter with Wild Cypress, a venture born from my passion for connecting with people and creating inclusive, nature-inspired experiences. This shift allows me to expand my work and serve a broader audience, embracing everyone—not just the Deaf community.
I'm also excited I’ve completed my training with DEI Outdoors, where I’ll learn how to make outdoor spaces more inclusive for all. Additionally, I’ll be collaborating with ANFT (Association of Nature & Forest Therapy) to plan the next Training Cohort for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and signing Guides. This 6 month training to certification will begin Fall 2025. (In-person training starts August 25th, 2025)
What About The Giving Cypress?
The Giving Cypress remains close to my heart, and I will continue to serve the community through its mission of fostering meaningful connections and creating inclusive spaces. The next steps are unfolding naturally, and I trust the Universe to guide its evolution.
We are still awaiting our 501(c)(3) status approval, and once it is in place, we will establish a board and begin laying the foundation for The Giving Cypress Foundation. The vision is for The Giving Cypress to act as a wellspring that supports The Wild Cypress, ensuring that healing and rewilding remain accessible to all. When funds are scarce, The Giving Cypress will help sustain this work—because healing, both personal and planetary, should never be out of reach.
The Giving Cypress Foundation, once it becomes an official not-for-profit, will serve as a wellspring for The Wild Cypress, ensuring that healing and rewilding remain accessible to all. When funds are scarce, it will be The Giving Cypress that helps sustain the work.
That being said, I want to be transparent about where we are now. If you know the story of The Giving Tree written by Shel Silverstein, you’ll understand the weight of giving endlessly. Over the past three months, I’ve taken a hard look at the financial sustainability of my work. I realized that I’ve been in a constant state of giving, pouring into the community without the financial resources to continue growing in a sustainable way. Hosting three different Nature Retreats last year deepened my conversations with our Deaf community, and I’ve seen firsthand the financial challenges many of our members face.
With the current political landscape delaying our 501(c)(3) approval, we need to get creative. The land and the trees speak to me—gently encouraging me to find new ways to nourish this work so that it can flourish.
So, this is my heartfelt request: Help us spread the word about our events, retreats, and programming! Share any ideas you have about getting funding!
Let’s grow this community like a thriving forest, where every tree supports the next. Together, we can make healing accessible for all. 🌿💛
Upcoming Events and Worshops in Florida 🌴:
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means everything to me, and I’m deeply grateful to walk this path alongside you.
With warmth and wildness,
Summer Crider
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