JEDDAH — A special morning for mothers will be held at Hope- For Exceptional Needs upcoming Saturday (April 25) at Hope center. Kim Lyon, Head of Student Affairs and Counseling at Hope center said, “We're excited to be hosting a counseling retreat. It's the first time we're having an event on such a scale. The focus will be on holistic healing, wellness and coaching.” “Parents need to know that they are not alone, that there are people in the community with whom they can share their experiences. We invite the mothers of children with special needs to come and enjoy this free event,” she said. She further added that, “Sometimes we can become caught up in a cycle of denial, depression or grief which can be very hard to break on our own. Perhaps we aren't sure where are emotions are coming from. We aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental place where people can share, and to guide them through positive growth and change.” The event will take place from 9 a.m. – 1p.m., is completely free of cost, and open to all mothers in Jeddah, with a special focus on mothers of children with special needs. However, as the number of seats is limited, registration for the event on or before April 24 is necessary for those who wish to attend. Kim Lyon will also be offering private counseling at the center. Doubtless parenting can be an isolating experience, regardless of the child's needs, and counseling sessions can provide a safe space to talk, to vent, to cry, to smile, to be heard. The multi-award winning Hope Center, which currently accommodates 83 students, continues to initiate projects to strengthen the community. Founder and Director, Dr. Uzma Raheem says, “Through counseling, psycho-education and support groups, we aim to empower families and equip them with the skills they need to best help their children.” The event is the first of its kind being hosted for all mothers in the city and has a fantastic lineup of community centric sponsors such as Bath & Body Works, Spa Lounge, Alpina Chocolates, and The Body Shop, along with Jeddah Hilton. Interested guests are requested to RSVP for the event by emailing [email protected], and by calling at the following number: 0566956887. — SG
