What do grief and trauma counseling programs look like in Uganda and Eswatini, and how are HopeChest’s staff trained to create space for children’s pain, when they often have their own grief to navigate?
In this month’s podcast episode, JoE Lombard, Grief and Trauma Counseling Trainer, explains the intentionality behind the grief counseling programs that he designed and how he equips HopeChest staff to dive into their own pain so they can better heal the pain of children in their community. JoE has spent at least 20 years emotionally supporting youth across various cultures, equipping adults to walk through grief counseling with vulnerable children, and delivering grief counseling training for HopeChest staff in Uganda and Eswatini.
In today’s conversation Rick and JoE talk about some interesting topics, including how his name is not JoE, his favorite rugby team, and how he relates with the people he emotionally supports through having processed his own painful experiences.
“We think of Africa and it’s far away… however, I cut your arm, you cut my arm and we both bleed red. Our painful experiences are painful to my context in which I grow up and in which I operate. And therefore, whether yours is a divorce or your house burned down, it doesn’t matter. Your painful experience has some feelings that you feel that I will be able to relate to when we talk. And therefore, people should not be scared to just be open and honest.”
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ABOUT THE HOST
Sitting in the interviewer’s seat is Rick Wright, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. Rick supports and partners with the President and CEO and HopeChest board members on all major fundraising initiatives. He is also responsible for donor acquisition and retention and oversees the strategic marketing direction of the organization. In a past life, Rick was a spokesman for major Christian radio interviews, performed live on-site radio voice for inner-city ministry initiatives, and did voice over for radio television spots.
ABOUT THE GUEST
With a background in counseling and public relations, JoE has spent at least 20 years emotionally supporting youth across various cultures, equipping adults to walk through grief counseling with vulnerable children, and delivering grief counseling training in numerous countries. JoE’s compassionate nature, which stems from his own journey of dealing with life-changing events, enables him to offer training sessions with an experienced insight.
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“Build Relationships. Break Poverty.” is a podcast that challenges the Western perception of international poverty by elevating the voices of local leaders and processing how we can help to alleviate poverty without harming those living in vulnerable communities.
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