The Heart of Change
Transform ourselves and we transform our world
one relationship at a time
Community Forum: Empathy Cafe:
The Purpose of Empathy
Café
- To create a regular forum, safe and welcoming, by which people from all walks of life can listen to and learn from each other, and feel 'they have a place at the table'.
- To share and spread the life-skill of empathic listening, into our homes, families and workplaces.
- To help seed a culture of empathy.
- To look for the best in each other.
Empathy Café takes place for
2.5 hours (with a snack and conversation
break in between) in a welcoming and
accessible environment.
Engaging activities to loosen and strengthen our empathy muscles are
introduced. Small groups then are given
support as they practice giving
and receiving empathy using the tools and
resources provided.
At the completion participants are encouraged to share thoughts and
perceptions about
their Empathy Café experience. Empathy
Café
organizers present take-away materials to support a continuing practice.
The Empathy Cafe initiative is being piloted in the Brattleboro area of
Vermont. Some are public ones and some specifically for an organization.
It is our hope that this forum, once established, will provide a model that
can spread to other communities.
For more information contact:
Wendy Webber: Phone: 802-257-5833,
or email: wendywebber1947@yahoo.com
Community Process: Restorative Circles
Restorative Circles is a process for individuals and communities to address conflict in ways that restore connections on profound levels. It brings all parties together
so that they can share openly while promoting mutual understanding, self-responsibility and effective action.
Restorative Circles support a paradigm shift not only from retributive to restorative justice, but also a paradigm shift from 'power over' to one of partnership and 'power with' others. The dialogue process is shared openly with all participants, and is guided by a community member.
Restorative Circles began with the work of Dominic Barter in the shanty towns of Rio de Janeiro in the mid 1990's and continues with a growing community in Brazil, especially in their education system and justice system, and also internationally.
Cara Benedetto and Wendy Webber have received training in this process and are interested in seeding it within the local community.
Cara Benedetto and Wendy Webber have received training in this process and are interested in seeding it within the local community.
Any organization or collective of people may agree to set up a restorative system within which a restorative circle is called for when needed. To this end, Cara and Wendy offer introductory presentations, training and practice groups in the greater Brattleboro area.
For more information contact:
Cara Benedetto:802-254-8582 childrenotf@comcast.net
or
Wendy Webber: wendywebber1947@yahoo.com
Services:
Personal and Organizational support:
Transformative Counseling, Coaching, Consulting,
Transformative Counseling, Coaching, Consulting,
Phone or in person sessions, for individuals, couples or families
are available with Wendy Webber. Sessions may be one-off or longer term.
Once we establish your goals/intended outcome, we work together towards this.
As in the program 'Navigating by Heart', we work to clear
conditioned thinking, trauma imprints, and trapped emotions,
and reveal your own inner knowing and guidance system
from which your life, in relationship, can unfold.
Communication and relationship skills, with self and others,
are embedded in the work we do together.
Sessions are typically an hour, but can be negotiated more or less.
Requested exchange is sliding scale $40 - $60 an hour,
but those on low income may ask for a concession.
Organizational support:
needs assessment, on/off site training in communication skills, and coaching
can transform an organization into one that is life-serving at all levels.
Contact: Wendy Webber
Phone: 802-257-5833 wendywebber1947@yahoo.com
See 'About Us' on the Menu bar for Wendy Webber's Bio
Community Offerings: