This Week's EmpowerSurvivors News!

EmpowerSurvivors  

We Are Moving!

New Location: 1940 South Greeley Street, Suite 210, Stillwater,MN 55082

by Elizabeth Sullivan on August 11, 2017

Big things are coming to EmpowerSurvivors! As of August 1, 2017 EmpowerSurvivors has a new look and office space to do more work on supporting survivors, educating the community, and aiding in the prevention of child abuse.

Meetings for survivors will begin in new location the first Thursday in September! Contact Elizabeth for more information.

                                                                  THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

EmpowerSurvivors Speaks To Members Of The Lake Elmo Rotary!

by EmpowerSurvivors on August 11, 2017

At a breakfast hosted by The Lake Elmo Inn EmpowerSurvivors founder , Elizabeth Sullivan, spoke to members of the Lake Elmo Rotary Club to tell her story of childhood sexual abuse, discuss issues of childhood sexual abuse, prevention and the work of EmpowerSurvivors in our local community and beyond.

A very big thank you to the Rotary for inviting EmpowerSurvivors to come speak, having a great discussion and questions! It was an honor to to not only share a great breakfast but to meet the members of this local club!

If you would like Elizabeth to come to your club, event or meeting plz contact EmpowerSurvivors at

651-300-9180 or EmpowerSurvivors@gmail.com

Elizabeth joins program director Julie Good of the local “Unchained’ group to promote local peer support group!

by EmpowerSurvivors on August 11, 2017

Tuesday of this week Elizabeth Sullivan ,of EmpowerSurvivors, joined forces with Julie Good, of Maranatha Church, to promote their peer support group program “ Unchained”.

The “Unchained” group follows the “Into The Wildflowers “ program developed by fellow survivor Julie Woodley and is offered twice a year at the Maranatha Church located in Wyoming , MN

“We ( EmpowerSurvivors) believe in promoting other groups dedicated to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and were excited to be asked to be part of their new promotional video that will be airing soon.

Thank you to Julie Good and the Unchained program for asking us to be a part of this video and also for helping give voice to childhood sexual abuse and supporting our local survivors!

www.EmpowerSurvivors.net Check out our website

Can You Help ?EmpowerSurvivors Current Needs:

* Volunteer Grant Writers

* Board members dedicated to our mission, survivors and fundraising

* Computer/Printer

* Laptop

* Copying Paper

* Red Two Pocket Folders

* Kleenex

* Pens

* Couch/Chairs for Weekly Support Group Members.

* Large Dry Erase Board for Meeting Room

* File Folders

* Stamps

* Donations to help with rental costs, programs, books, etc.

* Sponsors for this November 11, 2017 Giving Voice-EmpowerSurvivors Conference

Other Ways To Help-

* Support The Work Of Elizabeth Sullivan And EmpowerSurvivors By Making A Monthly Pledge For As Little As A Cup Of Coffee!

https://www.patreon.com/Empower

EmpowerSurvivors Is Moving And Shaking!!!

Landlord giving me my key!

In 2013 I started a online group for survivors of child abuse and neglect with a buddy out of the UK named Innocence Lost and later in the year decided to start another online group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse that became known as EmpowerSurvivors.

In 2014 EmpowerSurvivors became an offline organization that was held weekly at the local library in Stillwater,MN. When I started EmpowerSurvivors I had no idea where it would take me. There were times I wondered what the hell I was doing and other times I knew exactly what I was doing! Times I have put in long hours asking myself if it is all worth it and other times knowing in the depth of my soul that it was absolutely worth it. At times there has been a real battle of the mind but in those times I have tried to silence myself, listen to what I thought God was leading me to do and try to have the faith needed to keep going with the mission all along knowing this was way bigger then me. In 2016 we officially became a nonprofit and today we are getting out there more.

There are alot of things I have failed at in my life. Things that I could have done different. Things that I should have done different but with EmpowerSurvivors it has always felt like this is what I was meant to do, what I was suppose to do.. I had no idea how I would pay for things. I have saved and crunched pennies to to be able to get EmpowerSurvivors where it is today.To date I have never gotten paid and make this my full time job. I have used most of my savings to be able to provide safe spaces for healing, education on childhood sexual abuse and prevention. There are times I've cried my eyes out and other times that I was filled with Joy.

Today I am happy to say that EmpowerSurvivors has leased it first office space! Here I will be able to hold more meetings, offer workshops and classes and provide more for those affected by childhood sexual abuse. I cannot thank the people enough who have believed in me when most have not, for the people who have donated to the cause including my own kids. I want to thank those that have answered my many questions when I felt lost and not knowing what the heck I was doing.

I used to think most people were bad but I am learning that their are good people in the world, strangers that have heard of what I am doing and handed me a $20.00 bill to help, a $5.00 bill or purchased me kleenex for the group.

I had looked at office space many times and thought to myself , you better wait. Several weeks ago I looked at a place in Stillwater off of Greeley Street by the KC Hall and fell in love with the space. Again I began the battle wondering if I was insane to take the leap and lease this space. I prayed, I looked at my bank notes, wondered what the heck to do and felt that it was time to take a leap of faith and sign a lease.

I was lucky enough to meet a nice man named Mr. Clark Nyberg. He has no idea who I am and was willing to go down in price to make leasing possible. If that wasn't enough he also made it possible for me to have some used office furniture, a microwave and more.

Main Office Area 

Back office

Today my youngest and I went to sign the lease and do some cleaning. We moved around furniture, talked about what we can do with the space to help those struggling with the after effects of childhood sexual abuse , classes, and more. I sat in a chair and looked at our new office space for EmpowerSurvivors and went over the last 4 years in my mind. My healing journey and the survivors I have been lucky enough to meet along the way.I sat there and just thought what a great day this is. When I was thinking this my youngest daughter looked at me and told me that she was proud of me. I couldn't believe the strength in those words at that moment. I felt an ache for a moment, so touched that she would say these words to me and I knew then that I was right where I needed to be.

Dare to dream a therapist once told me, dare to dream. I'm not sure where this is headed but with a bit of faith and some awesome luck you just never know 

More about EmpowerSurvivors:
www.EmpowerSurvivors.net

Ways You can Donate:Would you be willing to pledge a monthly amount to keep my mission going?
https://www.patreon.com/Empower

Things we could use: 

copying paper, bookcase, Smart TV/ DVD player for group, office supplies, kleenex, water, money, lots of money,lol and a little prayer and help from above 

More work space

 Come Visit Us At Our New Location!

1940 South Greeley Street

Suite #210

Stillwater, MN 55082