An Evening of Hope
On a beautiful Arizona evening on 13 October, we held our
first awareness event - An Evening of Hope.
The event was held at the ranch property of one our Board
Members and was an opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved so far,
share about what we have planned and, above all, have
a wonderful evening with friends and colleagues from the local
community and beyond.
We were delighted to share the evening with about 70 supporters of
Courageous Survivors.
Guests enjoyed some wonderful food and entertainment before the presentations.
As well as snacks and drinks, hot meat sandwiches (with tater tots!) and Hawaiian
shaved ice were served by Papa's Dream food truck, Unbaked Cookie Dough provided a selection
of yummy ice cream with all the toppings and we had a Candy Buffet filled with vintage
sweets and M&Ms branded with 'Hope'.
Much to the delight of the ranch's own dogs, four of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs came and
let themselves be petted and showed off their incredibly calm and reassuring nature.
There was also a complimentary raffle with winners enjoying
jewelry, gift baskets, vouchers and a wonderful artwork. To round off
the evening, guests left with a goody bag containing information, gifts and (yes more) candy!
The more formal part of the evening featured three speakers (unfortunately our fourth
speaker (board member Tessa Milne) was unable to attend due to sickness).
Janet Bentley opened the event by formally welcoming everyone and explaining the
purpose of the evening, her reasons for founding Courageous Survivors and sharing some of the offerings that Courageous Survivors is
working on.
Dwight Hurych presented his wonderful book - Who Else Can Love You?: Things to Tell Your Child, Inner or Outer -
and shared the importance of playing and being free to enjoy life.
Therapist Lillie Cortes conducted an experiential roleplay with volunteers from the
audience (some who took convincing to push past their hesitation!). Lillie was able to bring
everyone along as she explored the different roles people play in dysfunctional family systems.
During the evening, we launched the Courageous Survivors Reflection Wall.
Initially virtual (presented here on the Website) the wall
provides anyone with the opportunity to place a plaque to acknowledge the
impact of Sexual Abuse and Assault.
To launch the wall we dedicated the evening by lighting four candles.
The first was in loving memory of James Paul Kany,
the second for Noah Daniel Winters Everly,
the third for McKenna Suzanne Winters-Everly and
the fourth for all those affected in any way by Sexual Abuse.
A moment of silence followed the lighting of the candles to allow everyone to
reflect upon their own experience of the impacts.
The candles burned for the remainder of the evening and their meaning will be embraced
in the first four plaques on the Reflection Wall.
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