By: Rev. Kirsten Peachey, Director of Faith and Health Partnerships, Advocate Aurora Health Learn what you react to and what makes it hard to maintain inner peace…when in a polarized situation. Grateful for reminders of connection to self, others and higher purpose. And for the rich new vocabulary on values-oriented work from Michelle. Our higher Read More

By Hema, Pokharna, PhD., Chief Purpose Officer | Resilience and Vitality Specialist, Journeys of Life I was recently interviewed and asked if there had been themes or threads throughout my work in personal and professional development over the last 25 years.  Several themes came to mind right away, including nonviolence, spirituality, healing, awareness and choice.  Yet it Read More

By: Robert Skrocki, Communications Liaison with Interfaith Mental Health Coalition Faith communities that train ushers, faith community members and others in the different types of mental illnesses, and how to help people who might behave differently, are noteworthy efforts and important first steps in welcoming people with mental illnesses. But Companionship, as defined by Rev. Read More

By:  Meagan Gillan, retired Director of Advocacy for Victims of Abuse, a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church There is a light at the end of the tunnel, Friends, and thankfully, it is not a train barreling toward us! After nine long months of isolation, anxiety, uncertainty, uncounted losses, and the death of more than Read More

Studies show that individuals living with an intellectual disability experience trauma at a higher rate than those without a disability. L’Arche Chicago, a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs, and support networks for people who have intellectual disabilities, addresses that issue by offering trauma-informed and compassion-informed approaches to care for Read More

In these unprecedented times, mental health is in the forefront of our concerns. We know our faith is a key part of our being well. This is a time for all to pray together and share our similar journeys. This year will be different but still with the same purpose of caring and supporting one Read More

Despite facing healthcare challenges and living through a pandemic, Floretta Strong-Pulley greets each day with gratitude.   “I’m so thankful to be alive,” she said. “Life is precious – I don’t want to waste a moment of it.” To help her along her gratitude journey, Floretta, who has diabetes and undergoes maintenance chemotherapy, has joined dozens Read More

Faith Leaders Take Time to Help Themselves to Better Help Others As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take hold across our nation, faith leaders have become overwhelmed by the increased demands of caring for their community during this crisis, they say.  Oftentimes, caring for themselves takes a back seat to meeting the needs of those Read More

COVID-19 has brought unprecedented anxiety to the individuals and communities we serve, as the most vulnerable often have the least access to the information, resources, and care they need to stay healthy and safe.  Advocate Aurora Health is excited to have you join us for our next AAH Living Well Virtual Community Conversation on Tuesday, Read More