debor016

On December 14, 2012 the nation and world were shaken to their core by news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.   On that Friday evening, the tragedy became even more personal to us at the Traumatic Stress Institute and Klingberg Family Centers. We learned a Klingberg staff member, Nelba Marquez-Green, lost her beautiful six-year old daughter, Ana Grace, to the Sandy Hook violence that morning.   Even in the first days, Nelba stressed the message she felt was most emblematic of Ana Grace's life - LOVE WINS - that love, connection, and belonging are the answer to violence, not vengeance. Nelba then approached Klingberg about creating an entity that would honor Ana Grace's memory. These discussions led to creation of the Ana Grace Project of Klingberg Family Centers whose mission is Promotion of love, connection, and community for every child and family.   We are excited to announce that the first initiative of the Ana Grace Project is a day-long conference, De...

This past Friday I was priviledged to participate in a Risking Connection Trainers Retreat Day, facilitated by Michelle Keneflick, LCSW> Michelle created and arranged the whole event. The day was a chance for RC trainers to utilize mindfulness practices to restore themselves and to learn about using the practice in their work. The retreat was held at the Mercy Center in Madison, CT, a beautiful location right on the ocean. Despite predictions of rain earlier in the week, the day was sunny and the water was glittering. We met in a room of windows looking out at the sea. Michelle was an excellent leader who made it possible for all of us, with our different physical capabilities and our different leve of exposure to mindfulness, to feel accepted, welcomed and included.   She combined practical tips with spiritual reflection in a way thatmade mindfulness practice accessible toall. The day started   with a meditation on our motivation for coming, what it took to get there, and ...