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Table of
Contents
A Message from The "Counselor's Care" Fund A Counselor Looks Back on Katrina "Counselors Care Fund" Grant Assists New Orleans Charter School Graduate Student Essay Competition Deadline ACAF Director of Development Receives CFRE Recertification Look for ACA Foundation at ACA '08 in Hawaii ACAF Sponsored Newspaper Columns Continue To Grow How To Donate! |
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The ACAF Board of Trustees was privileged recently to be able to meet in New Orleans, to spend time with a number of counselors there, and to learn first hand not only about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina that is still afflicting that city, but of the help that the ACA Foundation has been able to provide through its "Counselors Care" Fund. I hope I can share just a bit of the emotion that I experienced during this meeting and visit: "My heart tightens as I recount the ACAF Trustee's recent visit to New Orleans. We were committed to learning first-hand, if the work of the Foundation was meaningful…and…still needed. A powerful "YES" to both, was our answer.
While at the
same home, we walked to a shed in the back. Vines draped from the
roof. Zarus E.P. Watson, Ph.D., L.P.C. of the University of New
Orleans, looks up and in a moment of deep contemplation slowly,
quietly, and deliberately utters, "Humm…the vines are green ~ even
they show life ~ there is hope".
Countless FEMA trailers were planted throughout the areas. We
learned of families working their regular jobs, going home to the
trailer and then putting in many hours working to rebuild their
homes. Exhausting! On January 12th,
Professor Barbara Herlihy, Ph.D., L.P.C. of the University of New
Orleans (UNO) graciously opened her home and hosted a magnificent
opportunity for us to listen intently to real life stories. The event was steeped with candid
feedback from recipients of the Counselors Care Fund. We asked pointed
questions such as: How
timely and helpful was ACAF financial support? How easy was it to apply for
a grant? What else
could have been done to assist in helping people emotionally
recover? Should ACAF
have a standing disaster response fund? What we learned was emotionally
moving and affirming.
I had the distinct pleasure of personally delivering a check to a
new grant recipient, Melissa Simon. This was just one of ten grants
awarded in very recent months to our ACA members impacted by
Katrina. Kendall Williams, a doctoral student at UNO, who because of
Hurricane Katrina, had to abandon his studies for two years and help
his family. Only now is he picking up the pieces of his dream. His
resilience is impressive, along with his ideas of research to
capture important lessons from this disaster. Although many counselors are "burned out" and overlook self-care
as they continue to help the vast number in need, we can remember.
As we implement a standing disaster response program, we need to be
mindful that the symptoms of post traumatic stress affect both
client and counselor. My intent to listen deeply and soulfully was realized. As the
evening was winding down, customary hugs were way beyond
"customary". You know the type? "Connected"…without words the spirit
of compassion had bridged a gap from one world to another offering
assurance that "you are not alone". We gained valuable insights into the affects of programs
sponsored by the ACA Foundation, clearly enhancing our work at the
Board Meeting. The contributions you make touch lives…real lives…in
important ways. On behalf of all of those who benefit from your
generosity…THANK YOU!"
Sincerely,
Terri Lonowski
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