Stewards of Children: Empowering People to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

                                           By Kelley J. Wolfe, Ph.D   

Stewards of Children is a revolutionary, research-based sexual abuse prevention training program developed by the non-profit Darkness to Light. It educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to the epidemic of child sexual abuse. 

    As a Clinical Sexologist, it is my goal to help people become more sexually healthy. In my practice I often work with women who have been sexually abused during their childhood and/or youth. The consequences of such abuse can be devastating and include addiction, eating disorders, teen pregnancy, mental health disorders, delinquency, and sexual problems. Sexual child abuse is prevalent in our society and this will not change until we as adults take overt action.

    Research shows that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18^th birthdays. Only 10% of child sexual abuse cases are committed by strangers meaning 90% of these incidents involve an adult known by the child and/or the child's family. This is a chilling statistic and cannot be ignored. As adults, it is our responsibility to protect the children in our community from sexual abuse so that they can grow up to lead healthy productive lives. They are our most precious resource. (Read the Full Article Here)  

Dine Out For Life 

Thur. April 28th 

You are cordially invited to join your friends, clients, family and co-workers on Thursday, April 28, 2011, for the 9th annual Dining Out For Life^® benefit to support the mission of the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP). This year's event is well under way and we again look for your continued support. Our needs are greater than ever this year with a reduction in federal funding, and an increasing number of clients who need our help.

100 of the finest restaurants in WNC have generously agreed to donate 20% of their gross sales on April 28th to enable us to meet these challenges in a struggling economy. You can do your part by simply dining out for breakfast, lunch or dinner or all three. And we remind you to visit our DOFL restaurants all year round and thank them for their kind support. Please check back often for an updated list of restaurants.  

Please join WWEC staff  for Lunch at The Magnetic Field. Join us for Dinner  at Posana Cafe ; Call 828.505.3969 for reservations! 

Spring Forward...Embrace the Growing Season! by Tina Clark LPC 

My favorite season is upon us. Every year I yearn for warmth and tiny signs of life and color amidst the seemingly bleak, gray and lifeless landscape. As I look around today the trees are bursting with color, flowers blooming, birds chirping and people emerging from their winter dens. Of course people are sneezing and dealing with itchy eyes thanks to the burst of pollen from all of this blooming, but I, for one, accept this irritation as a small price to pay for the many benefits of the season.

I believe spring is a terrific metaphor for counseling. In counseling we must accept a certain amount of discomfort to fully enjoy the benefits of growth. We could stay inside in a controlled environment to avoid the discomfort (continued here)  

Tina Clark is Licensed Professional Counselor at the Women's Wellness & Education Center

Locally owned and operated,   

The Del Vecchio Acupuncture & Allergy Clinic offers a unique and highly effective approach in treating the many symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT)  is a precision based therapy that treats the organ systems involved in an overreaction. (read more about The Del Vecchio Clinic and AAT

here. 

Walk In Beauty

                                          by Heidi Houser

Four years ago I was working very comfortably as a Qualified Professional for Appalachian Counseling doing case management and brief therapy for people with mental health issues. I was good at what I did and it came easy for me. The owner of Appalachian Counseling, Jane Ferguson, had just opened a new residential treatment center for women with eating disorders in Brevard - Tapestry. She was looking to hire a new therapist for Tapestry and out of the blue called me and asked if I would be interested in interviewing.  At first, to myself, I said an immediate 'H*** no!' I had some experience working with this population and knew that the issues they faced were very close to home to my own challenges. I also knew I had a lot to learn in order to help these women in an effective way. Luckily, I kept that 'H*** no!' to myself. I went home and talked over this opportunity with my husband. He made an excellent point... how often does a person receive a call like this one, a call to take the next step in their professional and personal journey? I felt honored that Jane saw some potential in me that I had not recognized myself. I heard the call and accepted the challenge and have been working for Tapestry ever since.

Over the last four years...continued

We begin with ourselves and through Deeksha, the ripple effect goes out to all of mankind. As consciousness is raised we can create together love and compassion for all, allowing the effects of the energy to flow out to all life on the planet and beyond.

The Oneness Blessing 

Tuesdays 11-12:30

Women's Wellness & Education Center

Call Mary, at 828.284.3688 for more information