The idea for the Bamboo Sanctuary was born out of a dream and of a fantasy. The dream first started 8 years ago when Jeff LiCalzi bought a 15 acre parcel of undeveloped land in Indian River County, Florida. He knew when he bought it that he would do more than build a house on it for himself. He knew that others would be involved and take an active role in its development and function. He toyed with building a co-housing community for the adult GLBT community, which may in fact come later.
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The Bamboo Parrot Sanctuary, a non-profit parrot rescue is presently under development. Most are familiar with equine therapy but few people are aware that parrots are one of the most empathetic of all animals. Agricultural gardens featuring numerous Bamboo species from around the world will be an integral part of the property.

In 2008 Jeff left sunny Florida to attend a graduate counseling program at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He moved 2000 miles across the country so that he could study Grief/loss and Trauma with Janet Schreiber and Interpersonal Neurobiology and Somatic Action Methods (INSAM) with Kate Cook.

In addition to his academic studies Jeff spent a great deal of time and effort on his own personal process. How could he become a good therapist and director if he did not do his own work? He focused on his connection to himself and to his connection to others. He learned about consciousness and studied and practiced mindfulness and meditation. With the help of Christopher Pittelli, a buddhist oriented therapist, Jeff incorporated Eastern meditative practices into his life and his work.

His roots in Catholicism had always left him lacking in any spiritual practice or belief. Over the first year of his studies, his creative, spiritual and physical life was deeply transformed. With his new found connection to spirit Jeff knew unequivocally that the Bamboo Sanctuary would come to fruition and become a center for education and healing.

His passion for psychodrama, group dynamics and interpersonal neurobiology will be an obvious focus at the sanctuary. He hopes to continue Janet Schreiber’s very important work and offer classes and group work centering on the all to often ignored subject of grief and loss.
Current thinking is that grief is a number of different processes happening individually and all at once. Grief is a part of life and grief is a part of death. It is the myriad of emotions we go through when we experience a loss - pain/sadness/joy/anger/heartache/relief and loss.
And finally, the sanctuary will include a program focusing on the unique needs and specific trauma experienced by members of the GLBT community.