Ukraine War Relief Update — College of Theology and Social Sciences Counseling Center
First an update on what happened Tuesday, February 15. Tom Boone, Associate Director for Mission, spent the day with the staff and students of the College of Theology and Social Sciences (CTSS) in Warsaw, Poland. It was a splendid day including pizza with students, lecturing on the Gospel of John, meeting Ukrainian families, and visiting with the president of CTSS, Dr. Piotr Nowak. While back home the media was reporting a possible Russian attack in Poland, we were talking about possible next steps together and the opening of the counseling center. I asked one of the staff about this attack and she said, “I am at peace praise God!” I have been listening to others here and there is no fear despite the war that is being waged at their border. Your prayers are very much appreciated! Let’s continue to pray.
Novus Center: Counseling Center of the College of Theology and Social Sciences
This week CTSS officially launched its Counseling Center, Novus Center. It is the fruit of the friendship between The Outreach Foundation and CTSS and is the occasion for the team being in Warsaw this week. Trustee Bob Fuller, pastor of First Presbyterian San Antonio, and Dr. Larry Michael of South Highland Presbyterian Birmingham are joining Tom Boone to be part of the opening ceremonies and graduation of the first 150 students. CTSS launched its counseling training program in June, recognizing the need for trauma and PTSD counseling among women, especially children.
The therapy is fully licensed and rooted in Christian values following best practices. Resources will include Matt Stanford’s material ReImagine, Hearts Transformed for Groups, and Empower. This is the only center of its kind in this region.
Counseling professionals from across Poland, Romania, and Ukraine have received training through CTSS. In six months they have gone through an accelerated program, which is the equivalent of one-year post-graduate counseling training. A retreat from November 17 - 20 will conclude their training. Additionally, CTSS has built a counseling wing on its campus. Three counseling rooms with a private reception area will receive clients starting the week of November 21! Already the wait list is several months long. More counselors are required, and CTSS is identifying who these will be from among the new graduates.
One of the rooms will be rented by a private practitioner, which will guarantee steady income for Novus Center. Counselors will provide free services for the hundreds of Ukrainians that have already expressed interest. Children are suffering terribly from the war and CTSS is responding in a healthy manner. The Outreach Foundation has been privileged to play a role in the development of this center, but we are not yet finished. Counseling center rooms need to have essential instruments for children’s play and art therapy. Also, the center needs funds to help Ukrainian families pay for their counseling therapy. Thank you for all you have done and for all you will continue to do! “Above all, we pray for every family and child who walks through these doors that they will leave here healthy and knowing they are loved by God” (Aneta Montano, CTSS).
Read more about partners in Ukraine HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Please continue to pray for all who are suffering greatly through this war. The long-term impact on them is going to be significant. Pray that the CTSS Novus Center will continue to provide healing and hope. If you wish to give a financial gift to help fund the Novus Center, please indicate “CTSS Novus Center” on your donation. You may give HERE or by sending a check to our office.