By Jeanette Harder, Board President

We all need to be safe. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety is even more important than our needs for belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Safety is second only to having our most basic needs met (e.g., food, water, shelter). I remember feeling safe as a child during thunderstorms, even tornadoes—as long as my parents were nearby and I had my pillow. I remember feeling safe at church, surrounded by adults and children who cared about me and valued me.

By Jan Slabaugh, Dove’s Nest Speaker’s Bureau and Board Member

Jan, Anna Groff, and Jeanette Harder (in photo) traveled to northern New York in June as a learning tour to build relationships with the Plain communities in that area. Dove’s Nest offers cultural competency training for social service systems and workers to better relate to Amish and Old Order Mennonites. More information about that training can be found HERE.

Remember the things you did as a child: playing in puddles after a spring rain, having the summer breeze blow through your hair, harvesting vegetables from the garden in the fall, or sledding down a big hill on a runner sled!

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By Benard Okumu

As many as 30% of Kenyan children have experienced sexual abuse, much of it in school (Violence against Children in Kenya). Too often, victims are blamed while perpetrators go free. Confronting this culture of impunity requires mobilization of the whole school community. 

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Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship
Boise, Idaho
September 10, 2016

North Goshen Mennonite Church
Goshen, Indiana
September 17, 2016

Deep Faith
Anabaptist Faith Formation Conference 
Elkhart, Indiana
October 6–8, 2016

National Association of Christian Social Workers Convention 
Cincinnati, Ohio
November 19, 2016

Canada Awareness Training
Grande Prairie, Alberta
October 28, 2016

The Gathering Place 
Webinar
December 9, 2016