Carolyn Stachowski, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Carolyn has been involved with IOI in its organizational development from its beginning in 2009.  She has taught regular classes in the Alexandria Detention Center a federal detention center, the Arlington Detention Center, the Pre Release Center in Montgomery County, and in the D.C. Department of Corrections, including in the mental health unit, a substance abuse treatment facility, and a class for young men aged 18-25.  She has served as Program Director for the past three years, which has involved recruiting and mentoring new volunteers, implementing trainings in teacher development and racial awareness, developing the curriculum, and planning volunteer appreciation events.  Carolyn is a graduate of the Meditation Teacher Training Institute’s 2-year program, is a founding member of the IMCW Women’s Sangha, one of the founders and an active member of the Dharma Teacher Sangha, a community of meditation teachers of IMCW. She ordained in the Eight Lifetime Precepts with Bhante Gunaratana in 2019. She is active in the running of two food service businesses and is a long-time visual artist.