Dear Expecting and New Families,

 

I am sad to announce that due to the impact of COVID-19, during July and August 2020, Open Circle will be temporarily canceling all yoga and dance classes, as well as massage and acupuncture sessions. 

 

As the director of the center, I am working during that time to envision a new model for offering the many pregnancy and parenting supports families have come to know us for over the past 17 years. As we all learn to live over the long term in a pandemic, it is vital that Open Circle’s offerings are safe for families, accessible, and sustainable for the practitioners and the Center.

 

Like many micro-businesses based on in-person services, Open Circle has been intensely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I initially moved everything we were able into an online format, and we have spent the last three+ months offering a full schedule of birth education and pregnancy and parent and baby yoga classes, at a “pay as you’re able” basis.

 

Unfortunately, these changes have resulted in a loss of revenue which has made it impossible to cover our operating costs, including rent, and we were forced to move out of our beautiful studio in East Providence. (We may be able to move in again in November). However, the current requirements for reopening provided by the Department of Health (to offer in-person classes and therapies) would be challenging for pregnant and new families and may or may not be adequate to preventing COVID-19 infection. Additionally, they would require a reduction of class size and private session openings that would continue to make it hard if not impossible to pay our overhead. 

 

As such, we are tasked to think creatively on how to move forward. We will continue to post updates here over the coming months, with ways you can get involved to support our continued work in developing safe ways to support new families. We hope to be able to see you all in the fall, either online or in person, and until then wish you and your family health and the continued support of community and loved ones.

 

Warmly,

Kaeli Sutton

Director