Giving Back: Seminar provides abused women support

Published 12:08 am Wednesday, August 5, 2015

LAPLACE — Truthful, candid discussions about all forms of abuse — and how abuse impacts victims mentally, physically and spiritually — are promised to attendees of an Aug. 15 seminar, “How To Love An Abused Woman.”

Woman2Woman is hosting the seminar. The organization includes seven women whose aim is to bring healing to victims and families of abused women and assist them in the recovery process from trauma and shame.

Organizers said the free, one-day seminar is open to women, men and teens, and will include instructional training on how to overcome emotional, physical and sexual abuse and bring healing to relationships.

“It is always good to gain insight, wisdom and understanding on complex issues that affect the lives of people, their families and their communities,” Miranda Higgins McGhee, founder of the Woman2Woman Mentoring Organization,   said. “Knowledge learned at seminars such as this one can help facilitate meaningful opportunities to develop positive change — internally and externally. We believe that lives can be transformed when a hand is given to help make a qualitative difference in someone’s life.”

McGhee said Woman2Woman was founded to teach women life-changing lessons through seminars, mentoring and life coaching. She said the group recently completed a 12-month mentoring program in New Orleans and is seeking a partner within St. John the Baptist Parish who can provide a place to relocate a mentoring center.

“Upon relocating of the mentoring center, we plan to serve the community by seeking grant partnerships to implement follow-up mentoring programs, family counseling and life coaching, as well as a weekly Sunday evening mentoring class,” McGhee said. “It is our objective to implement multiple mentoring centers throughout Louisiana, which will serve as a family healing center to assist abuse victims and to empower women through vocational training and personal mentoring. Our team includes skilled trainers, educators, medical professionals, pastors and ordained ministers.”

McGhee said each organizational team member has her own story of overcoming abuse, “which causes our mentoring programs to be life-changing to its attendees.”

The seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 15 at St. Michael’s Baptist Church, located at 701 Colony Drive in LaPlace.

A free continental breakfast for early arrivals is available, and McGhee said attendees can begin to arrive at 8:30 a.m.

Open to the public and with no registration fee required, more information can be found at girltalkoflouisiana.com or by contacting Woman2Woman at 888-598-1116.

Pre-registration is required for groups, and can be completed online.