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WWN Relief Effort for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Member practitioners in South Louisiana and Mississippi are still at work. A variety of practitioners of the healing arts staffed a healing room in the Cajundome Red Cross Center in Lafayette, LA for over 6 weeks providing holistic support for shelter volunteers and staff. Practitioner members from Baton Rouge continue to provide holistic support for New Orleans Firefighter First Responders. Member practitioners are collaborating with area outreach organizations to provide support for the hundreds of professionals still in the field. Members practitioners from across the country are mobilizing to assist in this effort. Your financial support will facilitate this outreach to communities throughout the Gulf Coast. Over 2 million people have been touched by these hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. There is a silver lining. Providing, witnessing, and observing the multiple simple acts of kindness received with genuine gratitude is heartwarming beyond words. The opportunity for growth and healing and community development abound. And, am
Volunteer opportunities for member practitioners are plentiful. Teams of healers are needed across the Gulf Coast. The destructive winds of these storms are still blowing in the minds and hearts of thousands of evacuees, first responders, and a broad spectrum of caregivers. Care for the practitioners is essential. Member practitioners are availing themselves to "service work" directed toward those of us working in the field. The need seems endless, yet, the heartfelt service offerings from across the country abound. The work continues. Our ongoing trauma recovery efforts are grounded in the healing arts with the emphasis on light and soft touch [massage, Healing Touch, Reiki, reflexology], energy psychologies [EFT, TFT, EMDR], guided imagery and aromatherapy. Practitioners skilled in these modalities with further training in acute trauma counseling comprise our "WWN Holistic First Responder" teams.
Generous financial donations have afforded us the liberal use of aromatherapy essential oils in the field. Amidst the noise and scent of 5000 people in the Cajundome shelter came the peaceful fragrance of lavender and lemon from the 3rd floor relaxation room. Just ask any volunteer who availed themselves to the healing sessions and peaceful presence. We all thank you. Become a supporter of the WWNetwork Holistic Trauma Relief training program. Join the WWNetwork to receive our upcoming e-newsletter to learn about future volunteer outreach efforts. State of trauma: Storms leave mental scars Whether it is the anxiety of having to start over, the depression that comes with deep loss or full-blown post-traumatic stress disorder, the very real needs of victims of a mass trauma like the ones Louisiana experienced last year, to a large degree, fall silent amid the clamor for money to strengthen levees, shore up houses and create jobs. Experts warn of lingering effects from hurricanes In the days that followed Katrina, Heaton spent time in New Orleans doing what she could to help. She winces at the clear memory of walking through crowds of people, many grabbing at her legs and begging for help. |
