Thank you to everyone who made Helpline’s SARN annual retreat a great success on Saturday. A deaf survivor was able to take part and have equal access to services because we had grant funding for interpreters. We were able to serve everyone a wonderful nourishing lunch; because of a big community awareness campaign and OAESV, we had several people outside of central Ohio hear of this event and choose to drive five hours round trip to take part.
Thanks to staff and partners who shared the info. on social media, contact survivors, and post flyers – as a result we were able to make direct contact with 35 new survivors and welcomed 17 yesterday to the retreat.
Survivors walked away saying they felt validated, renewed, hopeful, heard, and that feeling we all want – that they matter. That they knew people really cared about what has happened to them.
One person said “It’s like we are all glow sticks. You can’t truly shine until you are broken, and then you shine for others from those broken places. I see all this beautiful light in here.”
A special thanks to all of our staff, funders, and community partners who made this event possible and all the work you do everyday. It matters.
