DARTMOUTH — When the world locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic, a local licensed social worker, artist, and educator felt a deep calling as she witnessed the stress and pain shared by her community.

As the director of Bristol Community College Women's Center, Iva Brito recognized the urgent need for a restorative space dedicated to healing and self-discovery. Thus, the Soul Calling Retreat was born.

“I saw the hurt, the pain, and all the stress we were collectively going through during COVID,” she said.

“It was a response to a need I saw in the community, to create a space in nature for women to have a day of healing, self-reflection, a day to center themselves so they can go back and face the many challenges.”

Starting in 2022, the first Soul Calling Women’s Retreat launched at

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