Are you looking to grow your understanding of trauma? Do you struggle with how to help someone who has fled conflict? Are you feeling worn out from the pressing needs of the past 3.5 years? Our upcoming webinar will address the trauma faced by refugees and displaced individuals, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, and provide practical help for those who serve refugees.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine no longer being “new” news to us, the needs of those who have been impacted has not gone away. Understanding the impact of war on individuals and communities is as crucial as ever.
What You Can Expect:
- General Overview of Trauma: Learn about the different types of trauma, with a focus on war-based trauma and its unique challenges.
- Understanding War Trauma: Explore how war trauma manifests and affects individuals, families, and communities.
- Practical Experience & Case Studies: Hear from experts with real-life experience from Moldova and insights into rebuilding efforts in post-war Ukraine.
- Break-Out Groups: Participate in engaging discussions on the challenges and triumphs of supporting traumatized displaced individuals. Share your experiences and learn from others.
- Panel Discussion: Join a panel of experts as they share strategies on walking alongside those with traumatic experiences, emphasizing the importance of empathy and support.
Key Topics Will Include:
- How to get involved and support individuals who have experienced trauma.
- Building healthy boundaries to prevent burnout while helping others.
- Strategies for empowering individuals to regain their independence.
- Preparing for the future of post-war Ukraine – what hope looks like.
Register Today! Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and find your role in supporting those affected by war trauma. Together, we can foster healing and resilience in our communities.
Speakers:
Whitney Gerdes, Austria
Whitney serves as a Refugee Education Consultant with the International Association for Refugees (IAFR) and Managing Director for Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) Europe—a global network united by a God-inspired love for refugees and a biblical mandate to care for those who have been forcibly displaced. RHP Europe connects over 600 individuals and organizations across the continent, equipping churches to minister holistically among refugees and asylum seekers.
Based in Vienna, Austria, Whitney supports IAFR ministry locations as well as like-minded organizations, churches, and individuals engaged in refugee ministry. With a background as a classroom teacher, principal, and guidance counselor, she brings extensive experience in education to her current role. A lifelong educator, Whitney has seen how education can provide stability, foster healing relationships, and open opportunities for displaced children and youth. Today, she helps identify gaps in refugee education, recommends solutions, and assists in implementing initiatives designed to improve both accessibility and quality of learning opportunities for those who need them most.
Serghei Mihailov, Moldova
Serghei serves as Deputy for Public Relations at Beginning of Life (BOL), a Moldovan Christian NGO dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities through holistic education, psychosocial care, and prevention of trafficking and exploitation. In partnership with Profilios and Youth for Christ Moldova, BOL collaborates with more than 160 church-based day centres for children, aiming to bring hope and transformation at the grassroots level.
BOL’s mission is to create a comprehensive impact—addressing physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs while building bridges, preventing exclusion, and countering exploitation. In his role, Serghei helps share these stories of change and highlight how BOL empowers people, regardless of background, to discover their voice and step into a future of dignity and opportunity.