----------------------- Page 1----------------------- UPLIFT: A monthly ASCA newsletter of thriving and inspiration. Exclusively from The Morris Center for Healing from Child Abuse.   APRIL 2017 Featuring positive, uplifting information exclusively from The Morris Center for Healing from Child Abuse. UPLIFT  In this issue we are treated to everything from original writing/artwork, learning about a new ASCA meeting, how we raised awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month and even Informational Resource on some upcoming ASCA related training you may be interested in. As this Newsletter issue's theme is Child Abuse A wareness Month, please be advised some content could be triggering for some people. Having trouble viewing this Newsletter? Click here to see a web based version ----------------------- Page 2----------------------- Echosaisis, Director Of Outreach (left) and Kim, Email Correspondence Team (right) April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Morris Center thanks VSP for their support in inviting us to participate in their 2017 employee volunteer fair at their corporate headquarters. We met up to 200 different people, providing education on the many group and individual volunteer opportunities The Morris Center now offers. VSP asked if we would like to participate in next year's volunteer fair and the answer we gave is a definite YES! The Morris Center provided education and resources on both the volunteer and the ASCA support group program. ----------------------- Page 3----------------------- Because of the volunteers who made this day possible, we met employees who had never heard of us before. Some of those employees disclosed they themselves are Adult Survivors Of Child Abuse. Everyone benefits from the ASCA program. We showed examples of the recovery and thriving that comes out of being a participant in the 21 step ASCA program. We featured: a unique coloring therapy book for adults, created by ASCA participant Nix, from Zimbabwe and original art pieces from ASCA participant Amaroq, from San Francisco. We learned today was also "take your child to work day". Children enjoyed stickers and candy while we talked with and handed out reading materials to the adults. The day was a win-win for everyone. ----------------------- Page 4----------------------- We provided stickers to raise awareness for Child Abuse prevention Month. Exclusively from this volunteer fair, Congratulations to: Ronnie, Kayla, Lisa, Tito, Chris and Kelly for winning some original artwork! ----------------------- Page 5----------------------- original photography by TheArtfulScientist Adult Survivor of Child Abuse TheArtfulScientist was featured by Sanrio for April's 2017 World Art Day.  Original artwork by an Adult Survivor of Child Abuse An Adult Survivor of Child Abuse shares a Mary Oliver poem that gives inspiration Mary Oliver - The Journey ----------------------- Page 6----------------------- One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice - - - though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. 'Mend my life!' each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations - - - though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do - - - determined to save the only life you could save. ----------------------- Page 7----------------------- NEW ASCA MEETING "The Indianapolis meeting started in the fall of 2016. It is a small group but growing. Being new to each other, we are slowly building trust through sharing - and building confidence too. Meetings encourage processing the past and discovering where you are in the j ourney." - Jillian ASCA Indianapolis, IN Original artwork by an Adult Survivor of Child Abuse WE TALK OF IT creative non-fiction submission to UPLIFT in Honor of Child Abuse Awareness Dear Chris, I am hoping that this letter may help us move forward as brother and sister by breaking the silence of where we come from . Silence serves to empower the offenders and shame the victims. The more I talk, the healthier and more vibrant I feel, and the more fear and grief I leave behind. While you were never beaten, burned, shamed or sexually exploited, you did watch from the doorway when I was a little girl. You had to tolerate your little sister being abused. ----------------------- Page 8----------------------- You learned to blame her, and stand by our abusive parents. One day, if you can talk with me of this abuse, we can move on to a hopeful future. With Love, Your Sister Chris phones early Following the mail On the ninth day of the ninth month Chris here, he says when I answer Catches his breath, What do we do now I let tiny drops of grief dissipate He waits We talk of it, I say Your letter is upsetting, He manages I catch a glimpse of the child that I was Embrace her Let courage pass between us I agree with everything in it, He breaks the silence, Don't get me wrong He wants to come for dinner Walk our dogs You are the only family I have, He says As if there is a chance that we might know what that means He looks weary when I see him Awash in grief Robbed no less of a childhood Ivy Shawl-Song ©2017 INFORMATIONAL RESOURCE Sign Up for the May 13th Co-facilitator Training As an Adult Survivor of Child Abuse, you're invited to experience our Virtual ASCA meeting and receive training to become a Virtual ----------------------- Page 9----------------------- ASCA meeting co-facilitator. There is no obligation to become a co- facilitator and best of all, the training is free! Experience a real, ASCA Support Group meeting from the comfort of your own computer, phone or mobile device Learn about The Morris Center's relationship to the ASCA program Have your questions answered about how the meetings are run Take your first step in developing leadership skills that will help you become a co-facilitator Our virtual ASCA support group happens every Saturday, from 11:30am-1:00pm, Pacific time. On May 13th, we will take a short break after the support group before beginning the training. The training will last about an hour and a half. May 13th will be the first part in a two part series of virtual co-facilitator trainings. Those interested in the training are strongly encouraged to participate in the earlier virtual ASCA support group. Those already trained as co-facilitators are welcome to attend. To attend the Virtual ASCA support group and sign up for the training, send an email to : info@ascasupport.org Don't delay, sign up, today! UPLIFT joins our still ongoing, quarterly newsletter. We would love to feature you. If you would like to volunteer, have comments or would like to provide supportive feedback for anyone featured in this newsletter, send an email to ascanewseditor@gmail.com by including their name in the subject line of your email. A special thank you, to all those who have made a donation to the Norma J Morris Center. We would not be here without you. ----------------------- Page 10----------------------- The Morris Center for Healing from Child Abuse | Email | Subscribe to UPLIFT Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Norma J Morris Center For Healing From Child Abuse whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Click to start donating at no additional cost to you, instantly while shopping on Amazon. Follow us on Facebook! 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