Awake

We're glad to share that Natalie Pucillo has joined Awake's Leadership Team! Natalie has been an engaged member of the Awake community, serving as both a member of our Survivor Advisory Panel and a member of our Prayer Team. In her own words: "I am a cradle Catholic who was born and raised in Maryland and now lives in Washington, D.C. I work in higher education student support while simultaneously pursuing a Master of Divinity focused on Catholic faith responses to suffering and trauma. For over 10 years, I was a professional church musician serving in Catholic and Protestant churches. As a survivor of abuse by a lay minister, I am passionate about spreading awareness about the spiritual effects of abuse by lay leaders, and working for accountability and transformation in our Church." Natalie, we are so grateful for the gifts you bring!

The recording of yesterday's Courageous Conversation is now available! Wendy Mitch, Vince Pérez, and Gina Barthel shared their positive and negative experiences of disclosing their abuse to family, friends, colleagues, and church leaders, and offered advice on how to best listen to and support those who have experienced abuse. Watch it now on our Youtube channel: https://lnkd.in/g-8j-wiD Join us on Thursday, September 19 at 7pm CDT/8pm EDT to share your own thoughts and reflections: https://lnkd.in/gE_BKmX2

It is not too late to join us for today’s Courageous Conversation at 12pm CDT / 1pm EDT! 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁—𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 will feature a conversation with three survivors of abuse by Catholic leaders. Vince, Gina, and Wendy will share their positive and negative experiences of disclosing their abuse to family, friends, colleagues, and church leaders, and offer advice on how to best listen to and support those who have experienced abuse. Sign up to attend live or receive the recording at https://lnkd.in/gE_BKmX2 #survivorvoices #supportsurvivors #catholic #catholicchurch #churchabuse #churchtoo #clergyabuse

On September 4, Awake welcomed Whitney True-Francis, our second full-time staff member. As Whitney begins her work with Awake, we asked her a few questions about her background, personal life, and hopes for this role: "I am focused on listening and learning from all the different voices in the Awake community, which is meaningful and fruitful. I do look forward to helping Awake imagine its future as time goes on and I am inspired to think of all the incredible things that Awake will continue to accomplish alongside survivors." Click here to read her more of her answers!

Our 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report is now available! We are so grateful to each person who has been part of our journey from a tiny local organization to a respected national nonprofit - volunteers, board members, donors, program participants, and all those who have prayed for or supported Awake in any way. It is because of you that we are able to begin this next chapter of our story with such joy and hope! See the full report at https://lnkd.in/gukPriYm #catholic #catholicchurch #churchtoo #churchabuse #supportsurvivors

On Thursday, we’ll gather to listen to three survivors—Gina, Vince, and Wendy—reflect on sharing their stories with their family, friends, church leaders, and communities. Will you join us in praying for them, and all those joining a Courageous Conversation for the first time, that they find a welcoming audience with open ears and open hearts? (You can sign up to join us live or receive a recording of the conversation at https://lnkd.in/gE_BKmX2!)

Join us next week on Thursday, September 12 at 12pm CDT on Zoom for our September Courageous Conversation! "Listening to Survivors: What Went Well—and Didn't—When I Shared My Story," will feature three survivors—Wendy, Gina, and Vince—reflecting on the responses they received from their family, friends, church leaders, and communities. Learn more and sign up to join us live or receive the recording at https://lnkd.in/gE_BKmX2 #supportsurvivors #survivorvoices #catholic #catholicchurch #churchtoo #churchabuse

Today's Meet Awake features one of Awake's Encourager Ministry Participants, Stacy. She loves to travel and recently returned from a trip to Africa, including a 3-day land safari, a 3-day water safari in a houseboat on the Chobe River, and visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the coastline of South Africa! Stacy shares: "I chose to participate in the Encourager Ministry to provide care that is often absent in our church/parish communities. ... As a survivor of grooming by a serial abuser, Awake has been an essential part of my healing. It's a safe place to speak about my experience. The prayer opportunities provide a safe space to still experience Catholic prayer." Stacy, we're so grateful to have you as part of the Awake community!

Today is Whitney True-Francis,'s first day with Awake! We are so delighted to have her as our new Associate Director, and we know the Awake community will give her a warm welcome!

Awake’s virtual Survivor Circles will begin their fall session this month! Thanks to the support of the Awake community, we are expanding to offer 6 circles (adding a circle specifically for men who have experienced sexual abuse by a Catholic leader) and adding a monthly drop-in circle. Learn more about our survivor support options at https://lnkd.in/gQWEh7xg, and contact Survivor Care Coordinator Esther Harber at estherharber@awakecommunity.org if you are interested in participating.