Pause, Ponder, and Pray
Pause: Breathe in deeply, feeling your breath spread through your body. Breathe out, and relax. Repeat. Repeat.
Ponder: Many people hate to ask others for help, having a strong “I can do it on my own” mentality. It is difficult when we have to rely on someone else during illness or injury, a new baby, a new job.
At times like these it’s important to let go of feeling that we should be able to do it all by ourselves and accept the help of others. Too often we make things worse by trying to do more than we should or by slipping into a feeling of uselessness. It does take strength and insight to accept that we, just like every other human being, have limitations.
Actually though, a deep feeling of gratitude can develop as we ask for and accept help. We can learn aspects of God’s heart through others that we simply can’t learn alone. Accepting our limitations leads to humility, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of being human; which enables us to be that much more compassionate in the world.
Pray: Where or how do you need help? Have you considered the possibility that God is trying to help you through others? Talk to God about this.
It is foolish to be too confident. Those who ask for advice are wise and will escape disaster. Proverbs 28:26
Spero Counseling and Wellness Center offering Play Therapy for children
Play Therapy? What is it? Play is essential to human growth, development, learning and cultivating relationships. Play therapy is a powerful tool for addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Professionals therapeutically use play to help clients better process their experiences and develop more effective strategies for managing their worlds. This can be used for clients who have behavioral issues caused by: bullying, grief/loss, divorce/abandonment, physical/sexual abuse, or crisis/trauma. It also helps those with mental health disorders such as: anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, academic/social impairment, physical/learning disabilities, and conduct disorders.
Did you also know, that our Counseling and Wellness Center now offers play therapy for children ages 3-10. For more information, contact our office at (618)242-6944, or visit us online at sperocwc.org.
Spero Awarded Eagle Accreditation
Spero Staff Feature
We wanted to share her story, because she is the epitome of what Spero stands for, and truly believes in the mission.
“I love what I do. I love recruiting. I love meeting new hires. I love my boss. I love that this job allows me to be a mom first. I’m not a social worker, but I love that I get to support the work they do in my small way.” -Amanda Flanagan
#LoveWhatYouDo
#SperoFamily
#StaffFeature
Pause, Ponder, & Pray
We are so happy our Rev. Deb Pollex is back with her Pause, Ponder, Pray. We have missed it! This is a great one for February!
Pause: Breathe in deeply….breathe out. Breathe in deeply…..breath out. Repeat as much as needed.
Ponder: We don’t usually think of Valentine’s Day as an explicitly Christian holiday like Easter and Christmas. But there are many passages in the Bible that specifically speak of LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
The Bible is actually a whole book about Love, and since we’re entering the month of February (the month of Love), I thought it would be good to revisit a few love scriptures and then pray in a fun LOVE-ing way!
Pray: Let’s pray using the word LOVE. Grab your phone. Look at the first name in your contacts that starts with the letter L. Say a short prayer for them. Now pray for the first name in your contact list that starts with O. Now do the same for V. And now the same for E. Amen!
Brain Maladaptaion/Generational Poverty Training
Join us for the next Professional Development Training on March 25th at Spero Mt. Vernon Richview Road campus. This training will cover the topics of Brain Maladaptation and Generational Poverty. This session focuses on what happens to this vital area of the brain which is responsible for problem solving, goal setting, impulse control, and abstract thought when it is affected by trauma and/or substance use. Attendees will learn why traditional approaches to learning, discipline, and reasoning with at-risk teens often fail with this population. The session covers alternative strategies for engaging youth whose cognitive functioning has been limited by problematic life experiences as well as how the cycle of poverty affects thinking and decision-making, use of language, habits and relationships that cement a worldview and drive self-perpetuating behavior. Many professionals that work with high risk children and families from poverty, themselves grew up in the middle class. Workshop attendees will learn the fundamental differences between the mindsets and cultural shaping that inherently drive an invisible wedge between the well-intentioned middle class helper and the poverty clients we have pledged to serve. This wedge is seen in our frustration, the language we use and the lack of meaningful outcomes with clients. Purchase your tickets here.
Spero Great Egg Race 5k Announced
Spero Great Egg Race 5K run/walk and kids Bunny Hop fun run to be held March 28, 2020. Beginning at SPERO Main Campus this race takes you around the quaint neighborhoods surrounding our main campus. Over 100 men, women, and children compete in their own age category. Overall winner for each age and gender category. 1st and 2nd place awards given to 8 other age and gender categories. There is also an Easter egg hunt, vendor fair, and pancake breakfast at this fun filled event! To register for the even please go to http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pvyuymkab&oeidk=a07egujf0gm76ddc511
#GreatEggRace2020
Spero Family Services Awarded Accreditation
On this #ThankfulThursday we are happy to announce that Spero has been COA accredited for another 4 years! A lot of work goes into getting this accreditation, so we are thankful for all of our employees that put in lots of extra time and effort to help Spero maintain this honor!
West Salem Trinity Church Donates Van to Spero
Thank you so much to West Salem Trinity United Methodist Church for the donation of a van to Spero Family Services! We truly appreciate your generosity! It is because of supporters like you that we are truly able to provide Hope, Help, & Healing to those in need. 
Quilts Donated to Best Beginnings Program1
Janice Dees also donated multiple quilts to the Spero Best Beginnings/Nurse-Family Partnership program! They will be put to good use! Thanks Janice! Pictured with the quilts are Sandra Tate, Janice’s daughter, and Timesha from the Best Beginnings Program.
