Healing workshop offers mutual support
Fighting sexual abuse and promoting healing, by Alicia Lopez DINGMANS FERRY They came to heal and be healed at an April 17, Sexual Abuse Awareness Month workshop event at Camp Akenac in Dingmans Ferry. Called “RYOT Sparks A Healing,” the program was sponsored by Safe Haven of Milford, with the Pennsylvania Coalition Aganist Rape (PCAR), and Rallying Youth Organizers Together (RYOT). The idea was to provide spiritual and emotional healing for survivors of abuse and for all who attended to lend support. Guest speakers included: Senator Lisa Baker, Pike County Commissioner Harry Forbes, Delilah Rumburg, Executive Director of PCAR, and Tom Marino, a former US Attorney and current congressional candidate. RYOT members, from Delaware Valley High School, read poems and national wide statistics of men, women and children who are abused in some form every year. Cindy Stine, RYOT coordinating leader said she was “very pleased with the entire day and appreciated the support of the volunteers and survivors contributions; Maxwell (Kofi Donkor) really brought it home for us.” Musician and sculptor, Maxwell Kofi Donkor has been lending his support to Safe Haven for the past four years. He directs an African drum and dance ensemble, Sankofa, which in the Twi language of his native Asante Kingdom in Ghana, means “going back to the roots.” The message is to be strong, know help is out there for anyone who needs it and practice preventative measures by educating the community. Saturday’s event had emotional ups and downs throughout the day. Although words of encouragement were given, nothing ends a healing event like a celebratory atmosphere. The last two hours of the RYOT program was all about spiritual healing. “You should be encouraged, challenges are things that make you strong. There is something that is more than us, there’s a spirit that is more than us, your testimony. Be encouraged to find your song,” Kofi Donkor said. The audience participated with spiritual dances and learned the lessons of Kofi’s childhood and applied the principals of yesterday to a better today, healing within yourself. Anyone interested in joining RYOT should go to www.SafehavenofPikeCounty.org, click on the RYOT link and send Cindy and email. More photos at www.pikecountycourier.com