S.H.A.P.E. Community Center (Self Help for African People through Education) partnered with the Coalition of Urban Resource Experts (CURE) to offer a “Circle of Healing” for the Houston community impacted by the recent Hurricane Harvey. Harvey devastated the Houston and surrounding area communities with overwhelming affect and thus a need to “heal” was evident.
S.H.A.P.E. Center has provided services to our community for nearly fifty years and served as the sponsor for this event.. CURE is a professional, certified, and licensed Group of Houston area Mental Health Professionals and Practitioners. CURE was established in the aftermath of the destruction wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the southwestern Gulf Coast area in early fall 2005. We have come together again in the wake of Hurricane Harvey with earnest efforts to address, attend to, and identify clinical, therapeutic, and distressed needs of our community.
Focusing our efforts on the infrastructure of our communities – in the areas of family, community resources, schools, and faith-based institutions – we identify, develop, implement, and teach methods that enable the community to become an environment of healing. Our methodology utilizes data collection and direct community feedback to achieve the best results. Now in 2017, the Coalition continues to provide assistance, expanding its reach to help a more diverse community of disaster-affected persons.
The Coalition is comprised of members from various professions including mental health, law and social work, along with other colleagues of varied interest and concerns. The Association of Black Social Workers, Houston, the Houston Chapter of Association of Black Psychologists, the Nation of Islam (N.O.I.), the Shrine of the Black Madonna, the National Black United Front, the Local Organizing Committee (the L.O.C. ) and our hosting site, S.H.A.P.E Center, are the connecting Provider groups.
This free event was held at S.H.A.P.E. Community Center at 3903 Almeda Rd., Houston, Texas, 77004 on Sunday October 29, 2017 from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. The supportive dialogue was well attended by individuals and families who participated in a Healing Conversation and were provided with mental health resources, on-site counseling and referrals. A congruent “children’s group” was staffed by C.U.R.E. members and S.H.A.P.E. volunteers who facilitated activities for Harvey-affected children.
The purpose of the event was to celebrate the resilience of the community and to allow participants an opportunity to recover from the devastation and prevent further trauma. There was opportunity to connect, share, and resolve “feelings and impacts” during the 3 hour therapeutic and emotional clinical session. The time to be “touched and to close-out” adverse feelings was provided. We seek Wellness, healing and empowerment for our Community!!!
The C.U.R.E Group most recently entered into a Grant opportunity provided by the City of Houston, along with Harris County’s Commissioner’s Court to continue this most important work, by submitting during the Second round for funding. C.U.R.E is hopeful to impact our community with ongoing efforts and over the next year and beyond, if granted.
For more information about programs and events at S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, please call (713) 521-0641. For more information about services, training and resources available through C.U.R.E., please contact Dr. Xyna Bell at (713) 522-3015.
Article submitted by Brother Byron K. Parker, LMSW, (contributions by Sondera Malry, LCSW & Member@Large)
Former Professor @ Texas Southern University, Social Work Department
Houston ABSW members
