“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
While the unimaginable is still raging in our beautiful city, I am bolstered by the incredible resilience demonstrated by so many “angels” who are tirelessly giving, supporting, and helping the survivors of devastating loss.
We are indeed experiencing a nightmare, but dreams are what have brought so many to Los Angeles. And dreams come true when we stay in action, support one another, and focus on resolution vs outrage or blame. Recovering may seem impossible; that we are all like Sisyphus. This is where the power of community comes in.
I’m so moved by all the pop-up donations sites for food, clothing, diapers, blankets, bottled water, and more. It helps us heal when we grasp that no contribution is too small: by manning these sites, donating money or goods or even the space for them, offering shelter, contributing to Go Fund Me accounts, giving to the LAFD fund, the American Red Cross, and more. It is truly overwhelming to see just how immediate the positive responses have been in this community.
I’m teaming up with my esteemed colleague, Dr. Louise Stanger (LCSW, CDWF, CSAT-1, CIP, a preeminent clinician interventionist, author, and thought leader in the behavioral health and addiction treatments industry…www.allaboutinterventions.com), to offer free virtual group therapy sessions to anyone needing help coping with this tragedy. Participants may be those who have been directly affected as well as those indirectly affected. Secondary trauma can be just as painful as primary. Witnessing loved ones’ losses, survivor’s guilt, first responders’ burn-out, and other dynamics can be addressed with the power of a group. You are not alone.
We will hold this group every Tuesday, beginning January 21, from 9AM to 10AM PT, until it is no longer needed.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83782258418?pwd=gm6MHQ00oFjsFJNPbZ5gyTgRwhMn95.1
Meeting ID: 837 8225 8418
Passcode: 542436
We wish we did not need to offer this service, but are awfully glad that we can.
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