SlideShare uma empresa Scribd logo
1 de 4
Baixar para ler offline
The power of empathy: Peer groups help veterans, police
and moms of kids with special needs
P0er gi"oups help veterans, police and moaYts of lt:ids wi'i:h s1Jecial need~;
9:40AM, Jan. '17, 2012
Cherie Castellano, a crisis intervention professional and program manager at UMDNJ's Behavioral
HealthCare division in Piscataway, is the driving force behind the creation of peer support programs for
mothers of special-needs children, veterans and police officer. On Jan. 9, she led a peer counselor
meeting and training session in Piscataway for participants in the Mom2Mom initiative. I Photo courtesy
UMDNJ
What do police officers, military veterans and motllers have in common?
They all fall into the category of those who help and support others- but often, do not
get the help and suppott that they need, according to Cherie Castellano, the driving
force behind the creation of three Central Jersey-based peer-to-peer support programs.
The programs, offered by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, are
proving that empathy, wllich arises from walking in the shoes of another, creates a
powerful connection and support for those in crisis.
That, in turn, helps both parties heal.
Castellano is a crisis intervention
professional and program manager
at the University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey's Behavioral
HealthCare division in
Piscataway.
Richard Dvorin, a retired police off icer and
resident of East Brunswick, has been a peer counselor offering assistance on the phone lines in the
Cop2Cop program in 2005. His son, pictured behind him, died in Iraq in 2004, and Dvorin is now a
counselor in a veterans program. I Photo courtesy UMDNJ
She is the director of Cop2Cop, which she established over a decade ago prior to the
terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; NJ Vet2Vet, established in 2005; and Mom2Mom,
established in late 2010, which offers support and guidance to mothers of children with
special needs.
All three programs, also known as "reciprocal peer support," offer help through face-to-
face support groups and round-the-clock telephone assistance.
"Those who have been through an experience have an opportunity to be a gateway of
hope for someone else who is going through the same or similar experience,"
Castellano said.
Making connections
"I think when you are speaking with someone who has an academic background in
psychology, it can be verY helpful, but when you are connecting with someone who has
experienced the same situations and issues that you are going through, it i$ just very
meaningful and there is an instant and easy understanding," Nal<eishia Knox of Newark,
a peer support counselor who focuses on outreach wi·ih the Mom2Mom program, said.
Knox said that the idea of mothers of children with special needs supporting other
mothers who are struggling with the same issues, concerns and pressures offers a
satisfying experience for those who want to use what they have been through to help
others.
"There is a great comfort in hearing other mothers telling their stories. It creates an
extraordinary sharing through which both the moms that are sharing and the moms
who are listening- benefit," said Knox, who is the mother of an autistic child.
"When you are grappling with questions like, 'Why did this happen to me' or 'Why did
this happen to my child?' there is nothing quite like hearing what other mothers have to
say about how that feels," Knm< added.
Castellano said the peer-support programs have received attention by professionals in
her field.
Medicaid is now recognizing the efficacy of peer-to-peer support.
Following Sept. 11, Castellano was assigned to coordinate support for 1,900 first
responders in New Vorl<and New Jersey.
She also led service responses for the New Jersey Task Force One, Port Authority
Police Department, NYPD and 10 New Jersey Police Departments.
She pioneered the 9/11 Rescuer Reentry Program for the Port Authority Police
Department.
She has received the New Jersey Governors Excellence Award, N.J. Attorney General
Recognition Award, as well as the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
World Congress Award for Outstanding Response in a Mass Disaster.
Castellano, the wife of a police officer, said there is extraordinary power in the
connection that takes place between people who have walked in similar shoes,
and especially those who are responsible for the care of others.
"I like to say that we are caring for people who care for people," Castellano said. "When
you get an opportunity to reflect on what you have been through and use that
experience, you are able to help someone else in a very unique way. It is about being
present with someone, not judging, just showing pure kindness."
Richard Dvorin of East Brunswicl<, a retired police officer, first became a peer counselor
offering assistance on the phone in the Cop2Cop program in 2005.
His son, Seth, 24-, a soldier, was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near
lskandariyah, Iraq, on Feb. 3, 2004.
The elder Dvorin, who also served as an air police officer in the Air Force, was asked to
work as a counselor in the New Jersey Vet2Vet program in 2006.
Dvorin said that there was one veteran whom he will never forget
The veteran talked about missing his dead child.
The caller was talking in a way that led him to believe that he might take his own life in
order to be with his deceased child, Dvorin said.
"At that point I told him about how I lost my son in Iraq, and the things I do to keep him
alive every day," Dvorin said tean"ully.
Dvorin said he sensed a profound change in the attitude of the veteran who was
struggling with profound grief.
"Being able to help a fellow veteran has helped me enormously," Dvorin said. "At the
time I felt as though my son was looking over my shoulder telling me I did a good
job. If veterans do not take care of other veterans, then who will do it?"
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/alticle/20120117/NJNEWS/301170017/

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Destaque

Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapie
Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapieDyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapie
Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapieIE Simona Duque
 
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]Jose Bancaleiro
 
PetPista - Intitucional
PetPista - IntitucionalPetPista - Intitucional
PetPista - IntitucionalPetPista
 
Top Spice flavored whiskey
Top Spice flavored whiskey Top Spice flavored whiskey
Top Spice flavored whiskey Vikas Kumar
 
Bourbon whiskey price
Bourbon whiskey priceBourbon whiskey price
Bourbon whiskey priceVikas Kumar
 
Apresentação intitucional fenícios
Apresentação intitucional feníciosApresentação intitucional fenícios
Apresentação intitucional feníciosfenicioscomunicacao
 
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkit
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkitLieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkit
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkitkkouvo
 
cheapjp HTPOW
cheapjp HTPOWcheapjp HTPOW
cheapjp HTPOWsanjisa
 
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップ
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップAgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップ
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップTakenori Takaki
 
Binary presentation
Binary presentationBinary presentation
Binary presentationjohandford
 

Destaque (17)

Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapie
Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapieDyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapie
Dyron estiben bohorques y ana maria garcia hincapie
 
Cienrecetas
CienrecetasCienrecetas
Cienrecetas
 
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]
Employer Branding 27 Nov08 [Modo De Compatibilidade]
 
ciclos
ciclosciclos
ciclos
 
BCAMRT_april9
BCAMRT_april9BCAMRT_april9
BCAMRT_april9
 
Spice whiskey
Spice whiskeySpice whiskey
Spice whiskey
 
PetPista - Intitucional
PetPista - IntitucionalPetPista - Intitucional
PetPista - Intitucional
 
Top Spice flavored whiskey
Top Spice flavored whiskey Top Spice flavored whiskey
Top Spice flavored whiskey
 
Bourbon whiskey price
Bourbon whiskey priceBourbon whiskey price
Bourbon whiskey price
 
Apresentação intitucional fenícios
Apresentação intitucional feníciosApresentação intitucional fenícios
Apresentação intitucional fenícios
 
ODIA CV
ODIA CVODIA CV
ODIA CV
 
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkit
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkitLieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkit
Lieto 2015 aikamatkaajaesitys ja linkit
 
Lucas cespedes pureta
Lucas cespedes puretaLucas cespedes pureta
Lucas cespedes pureta
 
cheapjp HTPOW
cheapjp HTPOWcheapjp HTPOW
cheapjp HTPOW
 
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップ
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップAgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップ
AgileJapan2012島根サテライト ワークショップ
 
Immunizations
ImmunizationsImmunizations
Immunizations
 
Binary presentation
Binary presentationBinary presentation
Binary presentation
 

Semelhante a 0112CourierNewsArticle

400_abuseseminar_news (1)
400_abuseseminar_news (1)400_abuseseminar_news (1)
400_abuseseminar_news (1)Briar Van
 
2013 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report2013 Annual Report
2013 Annual Reporttricia_lmc
 
Child Sexual Abuse And Survivors
Child Sexual Abuse And SurvivorsChild Sexual Abuse And Survivors
Child Sexual Abuse And SurvivorsLindsey Campbell
 
Bullying Reflection Paper
Bullying Reflection PaperBullying Reflection Paper
Bullying Reflection PaperKara Richards
 
Youth Justice Reform
Youth Justice ReformYouth Justice Reform
Youth Justice ReformCicely Majeed
 
Training police to help those with mental illness
Training police to help those with mental illnessTraining police to help those with mental illness
Training police to help those with mental illnesshoward6padilla09
 
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEB
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEBSchool-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEB
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEBEva Lerner
 
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and A
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and AChildren and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and A
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and AJinElias52
 
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victims
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victimsseeking-justice-for-prostitution-victims
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victimsAngela Wells
 
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015Anne C.D. Clarke
 
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention program
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention programLiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention program
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention programDeeatra Kajfosz
 
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...Mandy Cross
 
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert By Jennifer Pricci
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert  By Jennifer PricciL.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert  By Jennifer Pricci
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert By Jennifer PricciJennifer Pricci
 

Semelhante a 0112CourierNewsArticle (20)

400_abuseseminar_news (1)
400_abuseseminar_news (1)400_abuseseminar_news (1)
400_abuseseminar_news (1)
 
2013 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report2013 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report
 
chron_123015
chron_123015chron_123015
chron_123015
 
051213 CNNHealth
051213 CNNHealth051213 CNNHealth
051213 CNNHealth
 
Education Portfolio
Education PortfolioEducation Portfolio
Education Portfolio
 
Newsletter Winter 2016
Newsletter Winter 2016Newsletter Winter 2016
Newsletter Winter 2016
 
Child Sexual Abuse And Survivors
Child Sexual Abuse And SurvivorsChild Sexual Abuse And Survivors
Child Sexual Abuse And Survivors
 
Bullying Reflection Paper
Bullying Reflection PaperBullying Reflection Paper
Bullying Reflection Paper
 
Youth Justice Reform
Youth Justice ReformYouth Justice Reform
Youth Justice Reform
 
The National Suicide Prevention Model
The National Suicide Prevention ModelThe National Suicide Prevention Model
The National Suicide Prevention Model
 
Training police to help those with mental illness
Training police to help those with mental illnessTraining police to help those with mental illness
Training police to help those with mental illness
 
Why They Run - Endorsements
Why They Run - EndorsementsWhy They Run - Endorsements
Why They Run - Endorsements
 
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEB
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEBSchool-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEB
School-Gang-Violence-Booklet-WEB
 
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and A
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and AChildren and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and A
Children and Families Forum Suicide Prevention for Children and A
 
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victims
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victimsseeking-justice-for-prostitution-victims
seeking-justice-for-prostitution-victims
 
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015
Final_Report_Broken_Images_Launched_Belize_Media_January_19_2015
 
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention program
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention programLiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention program
LiFE OF HOPE - a four part suicide awareness and prevention program
 
CW One Love
CW One LoveCW One Love
CW One Love
 
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...
Nurses Are Responsible For Numerous Things From Dispensing...
 
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert By Jennifer Pricci
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert  By Jennifer PricciL.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert  By Jennifer Pricci
L.I.V.E. Rock For Life Concert By Jennifer Pricci
 

0112CourierNewsArticle

  • 1. The power of empathy: Peer groups help veterans, police and moms of kids with special needs P0er gi"oups help veterans, police and moaYts of lt:ids wi'i:h s1Jecial need~; 9:40AM, Jan. '17, 2012 Cherie Castellano, a crisis intervention professional and program manager at UMDNJ's Behavioral HealthCare division in Piscataway, is the driving force behind the creation of peer support programs for mothers of special-needs children, veterans and police officer. On Jan. 9, she led a peer counselor meeting and training session in Piscataway for participants in the Mom2Mom initiative. I Photo courtesy UMDNJ What do police officers, military veterans and motllers have in common? They all fall into the category of those who help and support others- but often, do not get the help and suppott that they need, according to Cherie Castellano, the driving force behind the creation of three Central Jersey-based peer-to-peer support programs. The programs, offered by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, are proving that empathy, wllich arises from walking in the shoes of another, creates a
  • 2. powerful connection and support for those in crisis. That, in turn, helps both parties heal. Castellano is a crisis intervention professional and program manager at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey's Behavioral HealthCare division in Piscataway. Richard Dvorin, a retired police off icer and resident of East Brunswick, has been a peer counselor offering assistance on the phone lines in the Cop2Cop program in 2005. His son, pictured behind him, died in Iraq in 2004, and Dvorin is now a counselor in a veterans program. I Photo courtesy UMDNJ She is the director of Cop2Cop, which she established over a decade ago prior to the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; NJ Vet2Vet, established in 2005; and Mom2Mom, established in late 2010, which offers support and guidance to mothers of children with special needs. All three programs, also known as "reciprocal peer support," offer help through face-to- face support groups and round-the-clock telephone assistance. "Those who have been through an experience have an opportunity to be a gateway of hope for someone else who is going through the same or similar experience," Castellano said. Making connections "I think when you are speaking with someone who has an academic background in psychology, it can be verY helpful, but when you are connecting with someone who has experienced the same situations and issues that you are going through, it i$ just very meaningful and there is an instant and easy understanding," Nal<eishia Knox of Newark, a peer support counselor who focuses on outreach wi·ih the Mom2Mom program, said. Knox said that the idea of mothers of children with special needs supporting other mothers who are struggling with the same issues, concerns and pressures offers a satisfying experience for those who want to use what they have been through to help others.
  • 3. "There is a great comfort in hearing other mothers telling their stories. It creates an extraordinary sharing through which both the moms that are sharing and the moms who are listening- benefit," said Knox, who is the mother of an autistic child. "When you are grappling with questions like, 'Why did this happen to me' or 'Why did this happen to my child?' there is nothing quite like hearing what other mothers have to say about how that feels," Knm< added. Castellano said the peer-support programs have received attention by professionals in her field. Medicaid is now recognizing the efficacy of peer-to-peer support. Following Sept. 11, Castellano was assigned to coordinate support for 1,900 first responders in New Vorl<and New Jersey. She also led service responses for the New Jersey Task Force One, Port Authority Police Department, NYPD and 10 New Jersey Police Departments. She pioneered the 9/11 Rescuer Reentry Program for the Port Authority Police Department. She has received the New Jersey Governors Excellence Award, N.J. Attorney General Recognition Award, as well as the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation World Congress Award for Outstanding Response in a Mass Disaster. Castellano, the wife of a police officer, said there is extraordinary power in the connection that takes place between people who have walked in similar shoes, and especially those who are responsible for the care of others. "I like to say that we are caring for people who care for people," Castellano said. "When you get an opportunity to reflect on what you have been through and use that experience, you are able to help someone else in a very unique way. It is about being present with someone, not judging, just showing pure kindness." Richard Dvorin of East Brunswicl<, a retired police officer, first became a peer counselor offering assistance on the phone in the Cop2Cop program in 2005. His son, Seth, 24-, a soldier, was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near lskandariyah, Iraq, on Feb. 3, 2004. The elder Dvorin, who also served as an air police officer in the Air Force, was asked to work as a counselor in the New Jersey Vet2Vet program in 2006.
  • 4. Dvorin said that there was one veteran whom he will never forget The veteran talked about missing his dead child. The caller was talking in a way that led him to believe that he might take his own life in order to be with his deceased child, Dvorin said. "At that point I told him about how I lost my son in Iraq, and the things I do to keep him alive every day," Dvorin said tean"ully. Dvorin said he sensed a profound change in the attitude of the veteran who was struggling with profound grief. "Being able to help a fellow veteran has helped me enormously," Dvorin said. "At the time I felt as though my son was looking over my shoulder telling me I did a good job. If veterans do not take care of other veterans, then who will do it?" http://www.mycentraljersey.com/alticle/20120117/NJNEWS/301170017/