{"id":7732,"date":"2016-11-14T19:08:02","date_gmt":"2016-11-15T03:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7732"},"modified":"2016-11-14T10:10:39","modified_gmt":"2016-11-14T18:10:39","slug":"calm-at-heart-awakening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7732","title":{"rendered":"CALM at Heart: Awakening"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"CALM

CALM supporters stand up loud and proud to give financial support to the nonprofit at this week’s luncheon. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

A\u00a0fun afternoon to celebrate and reflect on the healing work of CALM<\/a> was just what the doctor ordered this week.<\/p>\n

CALM\u2014which is an acronym for Child Abuse Listening Mediation\u2014takes on\u00a0the critical mission to prevent, assess, and treat child abuse in Santa Barbara County. The nonprofit provides comprehensive services for children, families and adults, and has done so since its inception in 1970.<\/p>\n

Celebrating this organization at the beautiful Coral Casino <\/a>was a heartwarming affair. K-LITE’s Catherine Remak <\/a>served as\u00a0master of ceremonies, introducing a new video highlighting the organization’s work throughout the county, with offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc providing prevention and early intervention programs, treatment programs and clinicians who work closely with individuals, families, teachers, administrators and law enforcement.<\/p>\n

The theme was an afternoon of mindfulness, and it truly was.<\/p>\n

\"Images

Images of CALM at Heart: Awakening event at the Coral Casino. Photo by Leslie Dinaberg.<\/p><\/div>\n

CALM staff members spoke from personal experience about their\u00a0prevention programs across Santa Barbara County help parents and children heal from their traumatic pasts. CALM Chief Executive Officer Alana Walczak<\/a> gave a moving presentation about the importance of being there and being leaders for our community’s most vulnerable people. Jennifer Freed<\/a>, PhD, co-founder of AHA!<\/a>\u00a0(a local nonprofit\u00a0committed to transforming the world by empowering teens to create peaceful and connected communities), was the keynote speaker, focusing on mindfulness practices.<\/p>\n

CALM<\/span> was founded in 1970 to reach stressed parents before they hurt their children. CALM<\/span> continues to be the only nonprofit agency in Santa Barbara County focusing solely on preventing, assessing, and treating child abuse and family violence through comprehensive, cutting-edge programs. CALM<\/span> offers children, families, and adults a safe, non-judgmental, caring, and strength-based environment to heal and increase family well being. For more information about all of CALM<\/span>\u2019s services, please call 805\/965-2376, or visit http:\/\/calm4kids.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014Leslie Dinaberg<\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on November 11, 2016.<\/p>\n

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