Navigating Election Trauma with
Compassion and Hope
Oct. 29, 2024
In-person 2 – 4 p.m. and Zoom session 6:30 p.m.
Attendees are asked to register in advance.
Join us for a meaningful presentation on building resilience and practicing healthy self-care during this election season. Our presenters will share valuable tips and strategies to help you cope with pre-election stress, past trauma or personal struggles. Learn effective ways to communicate with family and others on divisive topics, fostering community and preserving important relationships. This session will offer practical, enjoyable methods for managing stress and anxiety, helping you find peace and healing no matter which candidate wins.
The Presenters
Andie Celerio earned her M.Ed. in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University in 2004 and is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. With over 15 years of experience as a legal advocate for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, harassment, domestic violence, and stalking, she has transitioned her wealth of knowledge and compassion into her work as a private practice therapist.
Barbara Paleczny, a Canadian School Sister of Notre Dame, PhD/SThD, was taught by two great IHM Sisters: Margaret Brennan PhD and Mary Ellen Sheehan PhD at the Toronto School of Theology. She treasures a close friendship with Annette St. Amour IHM since they lived together in South Sudan and gave Healing Stress/Trauma workshops. Before that, Barbara also lived in San Antonio, Texas for ten years, teaching at the university and establishing the South Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking. An educator, author and artist, Barbara is deeply concerned that we learn to listen longer to each other and speak courageously, respectfully to make our common home a healthy community for all.
Athanasia Papaioannou, MA, PCP, ACC, is a certified professional coach with over 15 years of experience in higher education, where she promoted leadership and equity for women and provided trauma-informed support to survivors of interpersonal violence. Athanasia specializes in helping individuals navigate life transitions with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Her approach fosters self-reflection, growth, and intentional action, empowering clients to overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful transformation.
Annette St-Amour, IHM served in South Africa 28 years. During the first 10 years under the Apartheid Government, Annette ministered to the people living in a black township where they experienced much violence and stress in their daily lives until the long awaited election of Nelson Mandela.
She also ministered in South Sudan for 5 ½ years, where most of the people in the country were traumatized from 21 years of war with Sudan in the North and were living through a new time of conflict and trauma in their newly independent country of South Sudan.
There, she had the opportunity to learn, put into practice and train others in the Capacitar Trauma Healing Exercises. She and Barbara Paleczny and others offered workshops throughout the country and trained other leaders in this method of popular education.
Please enter through the Elm Avenue entrance. For more information, email jshankie@ihmsisters.org.
