YMCA partners with local health organization to offer grief counseling following violence
In response to recent gun violence in the city, the YMCA and a local health organization are teaming up to provide grief counseling services to the community. The YMCA and Hosparus Health will host two bereavement counseling sessions – one at the YMCA of West Louisville and one at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA. YMCA of Greater Louisville President and CEO Steve Tarver said the recent death by Tyree Smith’s bullet at the JCPS bus stop was a catalyst for the sessions. the impact of this particular incident at the bus stop is on the youth and families of these communities, ”said Tarver. “Anything that allows us to reflect on experiences, to mourn together in a supportive way, and then to heal and learn to move on, I think, responds.” Healthy healing and coping skills are needed when grieving, according to No More Red Dots CEO Dr Eddie Woods. Woods said these were conversations he had constantly with people affected by violence who suffered losses.More about the JCPS student: The West Louisville effort wants the community to help to protect bus stops after fatal teenager shooting “You talk about a void,” Woods said. “You’re talking about a piece that was taken away that wasn’t supposed to go away. This person that wasn’t supposed to be gone, which creates a need for an opportunity to remove it.” Senior VP of Hosparus Health Tawanda Owsley explained that the sessions will be one-on-one and will be available for youth and adults. “We’re trying to create a space to come together, process, unbox what you’re feeling and then provide coping skills,” Owsley said. “The grief that our community feels has an impact on many people. It has an impact on the whole house. It has an impact on children and we want to give everyone the tools they need. Continuing coverage: Two JCPS schools offering a mentorship program aimed at tackling youth crime in LouisvilleWoods believes the YMCA and Hosparus Health’s decision was a step in the right direction. “When they do talk about it, be prepared because it won’t be a short conversation,” said Woods. “It’s going to be deep, it’s going to be very moving. The session times are: Tuesday, October 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chestnut YMCA in the 6th Floor Ballroom. Wednesday, October 6, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Broadway YMCA in the community hall. Hosparus Health is also available for continued support after the first two sessions.
In response to recent gun violence in the city, the YMCA and a local health organization are teaming up to provide grief counseling services to the community.
The YMCA and Hosparus Health will be hosting two bereavement counseling sessions – one at the YMCA of West Louisville and one at the Chestnut Street Family YMCA.
YMCA of Greater Louisville President and CEO Steve Tarver said Tyree Smith’s recent gunshot death at the JCPS bus stop was a catalyst for the sessions.
“These two YMCAs are just a few blocks from where this incident actually happened and the impact of this particular incident at the bus stop is on the youth and families in these communities,” said Tarver. “Anything that allows us to reflect on experiences, to grieve together in a supportive manner, and then to heal and learn to move on, I think, responds.”
According to No More Red Dots CEO Dr. Eddie Woods, healthy healing and coping skills are needed when grieving. Woods said these were conversations he had constantly with people affected by violence and who had suffered loss.
Learn more about the JCPS student: West Louisville effort wants community to help protect bus stops after fatal teenager shooting
“You’re talking about a void,” Woods said. “You’re talking about a piece that was ripped off that wasn’t supposed to go away. This person that wasn’t supposed to be gone, which creates a need for an opportunity to remove it.”
Hosparus Health Senior Vice President Tawanda Owsley explained that the sessions will be one-on-one and will be available to youth and adults.
“We’re trying to create a space to bring together, process, unbox what you’re feeling and then provide coping skills,” Owsley said. “The grief in our community impacts many people. It impacts the whole house. It impacts children and we want to give everyone the tools they need.”
Continuous coverage: Two JCPS schools offering mentoring program to reduce youth crime rate in Louisville
Woods believes the YMCA and Hosparus Health’s decision was a step in the right direction.
“When they get a chance to talk about it, be prepared because it won’t be a short conversation,” Woods said. “It’s going to go deep, it’s going to be very moving.”
The hours of the sessions are:
- Tuesday, October 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chestnut YMCA in the 6th Floor Ballroom.
- Wednesday, October 6, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Broadway YMCA in the community hall.
Hosparus Health is also available for continued support after the first two sessions.
