The Evolution of the Pause

From an Idea to a Sanctuary

2023–2026 — Growing the Pause

POPi expanded its overnight and day retreat programs while continuing to grow its partnerships, community engagement, events, fundraising efforts, and outreach throughout the DMV.

More than 60 women have been welcomed to the POPi property, while many more women and households have been introduced to the mission through POPi’s community presence.

2026 — Five Years and Still Growing

The foundation has been laid, the Pause has taken root, and there are still many more women we hope will one day experience it. The journey continues.

Founder’s Reflection

I Looked Up and POPi Was Five

As I began pulling together the history of Peace on Patuxent, rebuilding our board, reviewing where we started, and looking at where we are headed, I had a moment that stopped me:

POPi is five years old.

In the day-to-day work of building an organization, you do not always stop long enough to see what has actually been created. There is always another task, another need, another woman to serve, another relationship to build, and another opportunity to pursue.

But five years gives you a reason to pause.

When I look back, I see more than an organization. I see the women who trusted us with their well-being. I see volunteers who showed up and gave their time, community partners who donated and opened doors, chefs who prepared meals with care, supporters who gave what they could, and people who believed in the vision before they could fully see what it would become.

Yet, there is still much more to do.

That does not diminish what has been built. Instead, it reminds me that there are still many women who have yet to experience POPi, which means we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

As we enter this next chapter, I am grateful for the foundation that has been laid and for every woman, volunteer, partner, donor, supporter, and friend who has helped us get here.

Five years later, one thing remains certain:

SHE Matters, and POPi is the Pause.

The Pause

She is seen.

She is honored.

She is given permission to be.

SHE Matters.

This is the Pause.

At the center of every retreat, every meal, every activity, and every quiet moment is a woman who has welcomed the Pause.

She may arrive carrying the weight of appointments, treatments, family responsibilities, uncertainty, and the constant attention that comes with a life-leveling diagnosis.

At POPi, the focus shifts.

For a few hours or a weekend, she can step away from what is required of her and receive what has been prepared for her:

A meal she did not have to plan.

An activity she did not have to organize.

A peaceful space she did not have to create.

Time she does not have to explain.

“So amazing! I never thought I needed time for just me.

I kept trying to do something to help, but the wonderful volunteers and staff did not allow us to do anything.

I’m thankful to have received this opportunity.

I’m so overwhelmed with joy!”

POPi Retreat Guest

Each woman brings her own journey and her own reason for seeking the Pause.

Whether she first learns about POPi from a family member or friend, meets us at a community event, or is welcomed across the threshold of the property, she is offered a moment in time to pause, at no cost simply because SHE Matters.

What the Pause Looks Like Today

During our May through October season, women may experience POPi through an Overnight Retreat or a Day Retreat.

For our overnight guests, the Pause begins before they reach the property. POPi provides each guest with a personal driver so she can arrive without the responsibility of driving herself. At the sanctuary, the POPi team welcomes her with a walk down the red carpet, our way of letting her know this time has been prepared especially for her.

Day Retreat guests receive their own POPi welcome with a walk down the purple carpet.

Both Overnight and Day Retreat guests enjoy a photo session, thoughtfully prepared meals, activities, opportunities for connection, and time to simply be.

The sanctuary is hers to experience.

The time is her Pause.

The Community Behind the Pause

The Pause may be created for one woman at a time, but it has never been created by one person alone.

For five years, Peace on Patuxent has been strengthened by people who chose to contribute their time, talents, resources, relationships, and care.

Volunteers have prepared the sanctuary and welcomed guests.

Community partners have opened doors, shared resources, and extended POPi’s reach. Chefs have prepared meals with care. Activity providers have created moments of reflection, creativity, movement, and joy. Donors and supporters have helped make it possible for women to experience POPi at no cost.

Some have walked beside us for years, while others may have given only a few hours, helped with one event, prepared one meal, made one introduction, or showed up exactly when we needed an extra set of hands.

Every contribution helped carry a piece of what has been a tremendous lift, and we are deeply grateful for each person who chose to give something of themselves to help POPi grow.

To everyone who has given, served, shared, introduced, prepared, encouraged, or simply believed.

Thank you.

Join Team POPi

There are women waiting to experience Peace on Patuxent, and our ability to reach and serve them depends on having the people and resources to support the work.

It takes a team.



As we enter our next five years, we invite you to become part of Team POPi.



Your role does not have to be complicated.

Volunteer throughout the year. Explore board service. Introduce POPi within your professional or community circles. Share our information on social media. Hand out our brochures. Place POPi materials at your church, workplace, salon, organization, or community space.

Or simply tell another woman that POPi exists.

Every introduction extends our reach. Every conversation raises awareness. Every person who shares the mission helps us get closer to a woman who may need a moment to Pause.

There is room on Team POPi for the person who can give two hours and the person who is ready to make a deeper commitment.

Help us spread the word.

Help us grow the team.

Help the next woman find her Pause.

Because SHE Matters.