OUR SECOND SIX MONTHS AND BEYOND Happy Half-Birthday HEAL
October 3, 2007 -- We're eighteen months into our journey and building momentum.
"It's Not Just Physical!" was the theme of the Ct. Coalition Against Domestic Violence-CCADV's kick-off for the 2007 D.V. Awareness-month initiative. A delegation of HEAL members participated in the event at the State Capitol. Yes, yes. A broader understanding of what abuse entails, is getting out there, and to help spread the message, CCADV invited activist Gloria Steinem. The veteran organizer asked that we speak of domestic abuse as "original violence." She stood with the Coalition and HEAL to bring emotional abuse to the forefront. Later, Fox 61 News incorporated information about HEAL into its 10 p.m. coverage of the Hartford press conference. The following day, reporter Meg Barone interviewed me for a piece scheduled to appear in the Sunday edition of the Ct. Post.
On other fronts, our circle count will shortly increase to ten. The location about to launch will be a day-time circle in Middletown. In addition, we have several other circles in development, including our first out of state. At the end of October, HEAL will participate in Global Harmony Institute's Golden Care Circle Award ceremony. HEAL was the recipient of GHI's April Care Circle award, and by virtue of that recognition, HEAL is eligible to receive the October award, which carries with it a grant of $1,000. Think good thoughts. GHI is the Connecticut non-profit organization that hosts the HEAL message board. It's a classy, well-supported site, that we call our CyberCircle. It provides a non-physical location for discussion and sharing. Post-ers are joining us from around the country and beyond. Since our intent is to be national within a handful of years, this is an exciting step in that direction. The GHI Care Circle message board celebrates its first anniversary this month. One of our earliest objectives was to have an Internet forum and GHI helped bring that goal to fruition. HEAL's associations and partnerships continue to grow. Earlier this year we began and will go forward, presenting programs with the University of Hartford and the Sisterhood Project. Together with CCADV, HEAL has committed to work on an Emotional Abuse Task Force, to explore more ways to share the message that "It's not just physical." We want to thank all who've joined with us, either utilizing our services or supporting our efforts. This is both evolutionary and revolutionary work. It's the leading edge in many clinical and professional fields which support survivors of abuse, addiction, trauma and emotional disruption of virtually every kind. Please let us know what you need and where you are. Please let us know if you can help. And above all - please practice self-care. People with whole, healthy cores are equipped to help themselves and others. Stay stuck together! Ilene Wolf, M.S. Healing Emotionally Abused Lives is a non-denominational, non-sectarian organization which holds the position that personal values, beliefs and spiritual direction are wholly and solely a matter of individual choice, and which will therefore not align with nor endorse any particular religion, faith nor spiritual viewpoint. Also, Healing Emotionally Abused Lives is not a counseling agency nor a therapeutic outlet. Neither is HEAL affiliated with any 12-step program or any other particular approach to psychological and overall wellness. HEAL claims only to be a clearinghouse of references and resources. We welcome all suggestions and reserve the right to approve any suggested materials. HEAL cannot be held responsible for either mistakes in materials that appear, or individual choices based on use of materials that appear. HEALing History HEAL had its roots together with another young Connecticut social service organization in which Ilene Wolf participated as a co-founder. Early in the development of that organization, Ms. Wolf found her vision of service leading in different directions. Her personal history and professional experience inclined Ms. Wolf to envision settings and systems of complete security and support for individuals moving toward emotional recovery. As a consequence, HEAL was born. It's Ms. Wolf's intent, together with others who support similar objectives, that the guiding principles of Healing Emotionally Abused Lives will be to provide circles and networks of validation, safety, support and resources for those emerging from situations that were unstable and unnourishing. Our histories so far, as individuals and as an organization, were born of instability and disrespect. Our futures will now be written in brighter colors. Feature Articles Click HERE
GHI Award Presentation photos
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