Emotionally Healthy Communities are Strong Communities

My name is LaTiece Howard, and I'm an American Muslim working in the field of mental health as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  As more and more people struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, and the like, we are in great need of supports and services for the emotional well-being of our communities.  I would like to attend the training needed to be able to meet that need effectively, specifically in the areas of mindfulness and dialectical behavior therapy.  I need your support to make it a reality.  

In These Difficult Times, Help is Needed

In furthering my training, it is my hope to be able to offer workshops on stress reduction, positive coping strategies, and more as community gifts.  It will also make what I can offer as a professional more comprehensive.  I plan to attend a conference on Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Livonia, MI in April 2017, and the cost is $390. I would attend a workshop on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in May 2017, and the cost is $390. Lastly, I would complete a certificate course in Dialectical Behavior Therapy that would conclude at the end of the summer, and it costs $500.

https://www.pesi.com/events/detail/53212/2-day-dbt-dialectical-behavior-therapy-conference

https://www.pesi.com/events/detail/53793/2-day-mbsr-mindfulness-based-stress-reduction-intensive

https://dbt.kajabi.com/sp/35700-dbt-8-week-intensive-certificate-course

A Life of Service

I am a part of the Detroit/metro Detroit Muslim community. I am 38 years old, the youngest child of a Muslim father and a Christian mother. I learned a life of service through my parents. I attended U of M-Dearborn for undergrad on a full scholarship based on my service and academics, where I obtained a BA in Psychology.  I went on to U of M's School of Social Work, and graduated with my master's degree in 2002.  

I have worked in schools primarily for the last 10 years.  I choose to work with children and families in urban environments.  Experience has taught me that those with the greatest needs often have the least accessibility and availability of resources.  I have worked with populations impacted my trauma in many forms.  These populations are at risk due to low income, family history of illiteracy, deceased and/or incarcerated parents, multigenerational poverty, immigration issues, victims of war, and more.  In these environments, it is crucial that children are equipped with positive coping skills, as they will be responsible for their communities.  It is vital for parents to learn these skills as well.  

I have a long history of service in the community.  I worked to get a mobile food pantry opened in Hamtramck, MI in 2012, and it is still in operation.  I have a history of volunteering with the school program at Children's Hospital of Michigan doing poetry with the children.  I do a grassroots level warming project where we collect warming items and distribute them to the local homeless.  I do another project where we collect items and assemble activity kits and donate them to be distributed to the patients at Children's Hospital of Michigan.  I have spoken at various community events including the IONA Convention, the Chill Don't Kill rally, the Bring Back Our Girls rally, and various community events at the Muslim Center in Detroit, MI.  

Paying It Forward

In order to provide support to many of those who are unable to access or afford it. I will gift 4 community talks on positive coping skills. I will provide a space for concerns to be expressed safely, and give strategies to help them cope in healthy, positive ways. At this time, I work as a school social worker.  My eldest is in college, and I'm helping him as well.  The total cost for this endeavor is about $1300. Your support in this is needed and appreciated.  May Allah reward you all for your consideration.  Ameen!

Ways You Can Support this Effort

1. Please make dua that I will be able to complete these workshops and use the skills to be a benefit to the community. 

2. Spread the word!  Please use all of your social media outlets-FB, IG, Twitter, Snapchat, smoke signals, EVERYTHING- to let others know. Every dua, every dollar, every share counts!  JazakumAllah khairun!!!

3. Make a donation here on LaunchGood--be sure to leave your information so I can get your gift to you!