Resilience for: Changes in Work & Social Environment, Lack of Control, Loss

Exploring Grief and Loss Through Conversation

Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 10:00 - 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Following the conclusion of the recent Grief and Loss Series, we recognize that we need more time together as a community to process all of our experiences and to provide opportunities for connection. During this session, we will share our experiences in smaller groups to offer supportive strategies and to engage in experiential activities to help us lean toward hope and healing. We hope to see you in this supportive session.

Have you asked yourself…WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!? IS IT JUST ME!? Are you feeling like many others who just can’t seem to get a handle on all the thoughts and feelings attached to the extreme changes in our surrounding environment? Over the last few years, we have experienced turbulent changes to “life as we know it”, such as upheaval, loss of control, and feeling powerless, which has resulted in a deeper sense of loss and grief for many of us as a collective.

When a community, society, nation, or village undergoes a crisis this can also lead to anticipatory grief. As ongoing crises continue around us, these changes lead us through the difficult processes of mourning the former and yet, not knowing what to expect or how to respond to what may be coming in the future. Understanding the impact of loss and grief across the continuum of our collective, workplace and personal lives places us in a better position to manage our inter-connected mental, emotional and physical wellness in an ever-changing societal climate. This special session addresses themes that grew out of 4 prior sessions: When It's All Just Too Much, What's Going on Around Here; Individual Grief-When the Well is Empty; Grieving After Community Violence-Is It Safe Anywhere?

As direct service front-line workers, every day brings the need to witness others' suffering and respond in the face of pain. Over time, we can become numb to the feelings connected to being the witness. Acknowledging, naming, and validating the experience of loss and grief is essential, as all of us will experience it in our lifetimes. Speaking the truth about our internal experience allows us room to grow stronger when faced with loss.

Guest Faculty: Carmen Caraballo, MSW, (Bio Below)

Guest Faculty Bio

Carmen Caraballo, MSW, is a seasoned bilingual Master’s Level Social Worker with over 27 years of experience working with children, youth, adults, families, communities, and organizations throughout the Philadelphia area. She possesses a strong clinical background working with various populations, such as pregnant and parenting women, pre-term prevention, home visitation services, early childhood education, child welfare, at-risk youth and violence prevention, reunification, homelessness and housing, smoking cessation, addiction and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, trauma work and critical incidence, hospice, and end of life care. She has provided services along the continuum of direct service practice, case management, clinical counseling and therapy, supervisory and management functions, director of programs and executive leadership, and executive coaching. She has a passion for coaching and partnering with individuals to unlock their fullest potential in order to attain their most desired personal, professional and creative goals. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, writing, appreciating the wide range of creative arts, listening to jazz really loud, tending to her many plants, and spending quality time with her three amazing adult children, her nine beautiful grandchildren, and her beloved circle of female friends.

Staff Faculty and Facilitators

Don Jackson and Monica Sullivan, MEd

Supported in part by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health

This Resiliency Series is specially offered for community members and organizations who through their work are First Responders or are involved with those affected by the Substance Use Crisis in Philadelphia. The stress of caring for others can affect our bodies and minds. This free virtual series is here to support our workplaces and community and is open to anyone.

For information on Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), visit #TakeCarePHL at https://www.philadelphiaaces.org/sts. Visit the Events page to sign up for notifications of future events.