 |
||
|
What is Circles of Hope? “Circles of Hope” is one response to the upheaval and trauma of people who experienced Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as any person who has been affected other trauma. It is offered to children, youth, families, men and women of all ages to rebuild their lives and communities as they give voice to their experience of loss and trauma with those who share similar experiences. The volunteers and trainers of the various coalition agencies create safe space for people to use different practices including art, drama, story telling, dancing, drumming, silence and any other creative means for a healing process. |
|
What is trauma? Trauma is a reaction to a dangerous experience that we cannot control or address. Trauma produces real changes in our brain and body and can bring up many difficult feelings. Without a safe, healthy space to express feelings, the stress and pain of our experiences can lead to changes in behavior, sleeplessness, depression, guilt, shame, and anger.
|
|
Who is “Circles of Hope”? We are a coalition which provides processes and training towards healing trauma and building healthy, sustainable, just, and peaceful communities. We achieve our vision by: developing leadership, providing and creating resources to be used in the healing of trauma, making resources available to communities that have been directly affected by Gulf Coast disasters as well as anyone affected by trauma. |
What “Circles of Hope” offer you Circles of Hope provides opportunities for healing as well as training for those who wish to share the methods with family and friends. Models are flexible according to needs:
|
What does justice have to do with trauma healing? Often traumatic experiences can bring up hurts from the past or those experienced by towns and ancestors. Incorporated into the healing is the need for justice, for mending connections and working together to right wrongs-to address those hurts as well as the present trauma. |
|
|
Training and Circle Opportunities “Circles of Hope” offers experiences and training in trauma healing to teachers, parents, caregivers, community and faith-based leaders, professionals and organizations. For more information, contact us at the locations below. |
|
Why Storytelling?
Telling stories is at the heart of “Circles of Hope”. Here are two stories shared by a group of evacuees:
Throwing Stones
There is a story told of a people in Ghana, Africa. Everyday the people came together to weave kente cloth. This was a sacred fabric -- weaving their lives together. Whenever anyone in the village was upset worried, or depressed, they would not weave that day so as not to transfer their feelings to others and the cloth. Instead, whoever was not feeling well in their mind and heart would spend the day alone reflecting. That night, the whole village would get together for a feast and celebration. The person who did not weave that day would join the village in dancing long into the night, casting off their worries. And that is called “throwing the stones out of our hearts.”
“Pretend” story of a 3-year old
Oh, well, my dad lost his job and our house is broke so we moved here. He used to work at the hospital in New Orleans – the one that was really messed up – but his floor wasn’t flooded – some of the floors were really bad – but his didn’t have broken windows or anything and some of them were way up high and stuff.
|
Contact Us - “Circles of Hope” offers groups in Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, California and as needed in other locations. Jean Handley Or Lou Furman |