November blog from ElevateHer International — Empowering women to heal, grow, and thrive across the globe!
This month we are focusing on the impact of ElevateHer: It’s working!
Letter From Our CEO
Dear Friends,
This month, our focus has been on equipping pastors and community leaders to become trauma-informed.
Some time ago, our team sat together and came to an important realization: If we are going to make meaningful progress in empowering women to heal from trauma, we must also equip the pastors and leaders who serve them.
The reality is simple: When pastors and community leaders are trauma-informed, women, children, and the communities they serve are safer.
According to research by Barna, many Protestant pastors feel unprepared to address abuse, including sexual abuse (46%), physical abuse (31%), child abuse (45%), and domestic violence (28%).
These numbers remind us why this work matters. We cannot expect leaders to respond well to trauma if we have not equipped them with the knowledge, tools, and support they need.
That's why we've been intentional about training leaders. This past month, 10 leaders have been making their way through our six-week Trauma-Informed Leadership Cohort, and another 20 participated in a two-day training. That's 30 leaders better equipped to recognize trauma, respond with compassion, and create safer spaces for healing.
And you are part of making this possible!
Thank you for believing in this mission and walking alongside us. As we prepare for the giving season, I invite you to pray, give, and partner with us so we can continue equipping leaders and creating pathways for women to heal.
When women heal, families thrive, and communities flourish.
With gratitude,
Dieula Previlon
Founder & CEO, ElevateHer International
Our 5th Pastors and Leaders Cohort Ends Nov 5th!
On November 5, we will conclude our 5th Trauma Healing Cohort for Pastors and Community Leaders!
Over six weeks, four licensed facilitators have guided our leaders through engaging lectures, interactive activities, grounding exercises, reflection, and practical resources, including notes and videos, to equip them for the work ahead.
But the journey doesn't end here! Each leader now has the opportunity to join us monthly for continued learning and support because being trauma-informed is not a destination; it's an ongoing posture of learning, growth, and care.
Will you join us in praying for these leaders as they take what they've learned back into their communities? Pray that their new knowledge will deepen their compassion, strengthen their leadership, and help them create safer spaces where women, children, families, and entire communities can thrive.
We also thank the ECC (Evangelical Covenant Church) for its partnership and commitment to cultivate healthy pastors. We believe when leaders are trauma-informed, communities are safer, and healing becomes possible.
Legacy Giving
Last month we celebrated Legacy Giving at ElevateHer! There’s still a chance for you to join us by visiting this link to learn more.
If you are interested in helping ElevateHer heal women to heal the world, the simplest, most flexible, and most versatile way to ensure we can continue our work for years to come is a gift in your will or living trust, known as a charitable bequest.
To include ElevateHer in your will or living trust, download our PDF of sample bequest language and customize it to your wishes. You can then provide this language to your attorney for inclusion in your will or living trust.
Giving Tuesday Is Almost Here!
Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, and we've been praying and planning with great anticipation!
Thanks to a few generous donors, we have secured a $10,000 matching gift! This means every dollar you give on Giving Tuesday will be doubled, up to $10,000, making twice the impact in the lives of women and their communities.
As we prepare, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might join us—whether by giving, sharing our mission, or inviting your friends and community to participate. Every act of generosity matters, and we need your partnership to make this Giving Tuesday a success.
Together, we can reach our goal and go beyond it, empowering more women to heal, families to thrive, and communities to flourish.
Thank you for being part of this journey. When women heal, the world changes!
New Board Members
Dr. Marielle Ojentis
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Marielle Ojentis to ElevateHer's Board of Directors! With over 23 years of experience in education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Dr. Ojentis brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a heart for service. Her gifts in programming, community organizing, and working with the Haitian community through her role as Family Ministry Director at Eglise Baptiste de la Nouvelle Jérusalem will be invaluable as we advance ElevateHer's mission of empowering women to heal, grow, and thrive. We are grateful for the wisdom and passion she brings to our future!
Judith Fenelus
We are delighted to welcome Judith Fenelus, a seasoned strategist, advocate, and founder of JPF Group, a strategic advisory firm focused on shaping policy and strengthening communities. With over 20 years of experience in government affairs, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and community engagement, Judith brings invaluable expertise in strategic partnerships, organizational development, and public affairs. Her passion for empowering communities and turning bold visions into meaningful impact will be a tremendous asset as we advance ElevateHer's mission of helping women heal, grow, and thrive.
Let’s Meet…
I want to thank the many partners who have already met with me so together we can dream of the next phase of ElevateHer.
If you’d simply like to connect with me directly, I would absolutely love that. You can schedule time with me using my personal Google calendar link below.
We truly believe that this work grows through relationships and you are a vital part of that.
We’ve made a change!
You may have noticed that our newsletters are now coming through a new location: Givebutter, our new communication platform. This change allows us to stay connected with you more efficiently and cost effectively.
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