Creating Peace, One Connection at a Time

Monica McNamara has supported youth in conflict zones since 2001 and currently serves as cofounder and codirector at Dignity Beyond Borders: Project Common Bond, a mission-based organization that serves young people around the world who have been impacted by war, acts of terrorism, or mass violence.

In 2025, Project Common Bond was invited to host a retreat at Kripalu through one of 12 donor-funded group scholarships, bringing together youth from Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, Lebanon, the U.S., Northern Ireland, France, Kosovo, and Belgium. In the neutral and peaceful setting of Kripalu, participants engaged in reflection, dialogue, and shared activities that helped transform conflict into connection—creating what organizers call small “pieces of peace” that participants carry back into the world.

“The invitation changed our world,” shared Monica. “We now have a home when conflict rages. Each exchange becomes a small piece of peace that can ultimately be disseminated into the world.”

Today, Project Common Bond hosts multiple retreats a year at Kripalu, supported in part by scholarships and also through paid group rentals.

“We are the world. Whatever is happening in other countries is impacting us here at home,” concluded Monica. Through donor-supported partnerships like Project Common Bond, Kripalu is helping create spaces for healing, connection, and understanding.

Kripalu is a nonprofit organization, and every gift helps sustain our mission of transformation through yoga, mindfulness, and compassionate living. Through the end of June, an anonymous donor will match every gift dollar for dollar, up to $25,000. That means your support will go twice as far in helping more people experience the benefits of Kripalu. Read the full Spring 2026 Impact Report and donate today.

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