[Written by Elizabeth Karam, NYSCRCC, Outreach Coordinator for St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services.]
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services (SPCVS) began offering a series of virtual support groups to help survivors of all crimes connect with and support one another. Participants in these groups expressed feeling safe, supported, and empowered in their healing journeys while engaging with other survivors. They also reported feeling less isolated and alone outside of group meetings.
As the world has emerged from the pandemic, SPCVS has worked to ensure continued access to this crucial community resource, with many of those groups now meeting in-person.
Four new groups are set to launch this month with in-person, virtual, and hybrid options:
Living An Authentic Life
Meeting weekly for eight weeks, starting Monday, July 15
4 to 5 p.m.
Offered In-Person
Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we are. This is a group for survivors of crime that focuses on cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to have boundaries, and to be vulnerable. It is open to people of all backgrounds.
To discuss interest/eligibility for the group, please contact Ali Catalfamo, LMHC at Alexandra.Catalfamo@sphp.com or 518-912-4092.
Speaking the Unspoken
Meeting weekly for eight weeks, starting Wednesday, July 17
5 to 6 p.m.
Offered on Zoom
This eight-week group will provide participants a safe place to reflect, connect, and express emotions through letter writing. Participants will engage in writing activities designed to increase their self-awareness and their ability to express the impact of positive and difficult emotions. This is a group for victims of crime to learn the importance of self-reflection to better understand themselves, as well as expressing your feelings and needs to others.
To discuss interest/eligibility for the group, please contact Autumn Welch-DeGoski, LMHC, LPC at Autumn.Welch-DeGoski@sphp.com.
A Window of Healing: Creative Arts Support Group
Meeting weekly starting Tuesday, July 23
4 to 5 p.m.
Offered In-Person
This group offers a safe space to authentically express identity, hopes, dreams, experiences, and truth. This is an invitation to enjoy the process, taking space to breathe, observe, and play. There is no right or wrong way to participate or create.
To discuss interest/eligibility for the group, please contact Robin Jones, LMSW at Robin.Jones@sphp.com or 518-833-6395.
Moving Forward: Family Court Support Group
Meeting weekly starting Thursday, July 25
12 to 1 p.m.
Offered on Zoom and In-Person
This is a safe space to cope with court-related stress using creative expression. Group members can discuss, create, or simply support one another in a confidential and trauma-informed space. Please be advised that while facilitators are NOT attorneys and cannot give legal advice, we CAN provide referrals for legal assistance.
To discuss interest/eligibility for the group, please contact Melita Dzelilovic, MSW at Melita.Dzelilovic@sphp.com or 518-833-6402.
A brief intake interview is required to participate in any group. Participants are also required to engage in individual therapy services at SPCVS or elsewhere.
St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services offers free and confidential services to innocent survivors of crime. Available services include medical and legal advocacy, counseling and therapy, community education, and compensation assistance. For more information about Crime Victim Services, please call 518-271-3410 or visit our website at sphp.com/crimevictimservices.
If you or someone you know has been the victim/survivor of a crime and needs to speak with someone outside of business hours, you can contact our 24-hour confidential hotline at 518-271-3257.
