Who is “Mary’s Hope Workshops”?
Mary’s Hope Workshops is a Christian-based ecumenical organization, not bound by the limits of a specific faith tradition, offering education about healing and recovery from the spiritual wounds left in the wake of profound childhood abuses.
Mary’s Hope Workshops is the only organization in the United States offering interactive workshops on this topic. “Mary’s Hope Workshops” as Mary’s Hope is a consultant for the Department of Justice- OVC-TTAC (Office of Victims of Crime: Training and Technical Assistance Consultants).

How old is Mary’s Hope Workshops?
Mary’s Hope Workshops was founded in July 2000.

How many people has Mary’s Hope served?
Since 2002 Mary’s Hope Workshops have presented 94 workshops to 3,107 people – including victim service providers, pastoral care providers, mental health professionals, foster and adoptive parents, clergy, family and friends of survivors and survivors themselves.

How many survivors have Mary’s Hope Workshops affected?
Mary’s Hope Workshops have impacted the lives of over 95,000 survivors through workshops, retreats and the healing work of the care providers who have attended workshops.

I know survivors. Can I send them to you?
Mary’s Hope Workshops does not provide any direct service, but refers survivors to qualified professionals in the therapeutic, victim service and faith communities.We present workshops where survivors can hear the good news that God/ their creator did not intend their abuse to happen. Survivors also learn ways to facilitate their own spiritual healing journey.

Is Mary’s Hope Workshops part of a particular faith community?
No. Mary’s Hope Workshops is supported by individuals from a variety of faith backgrounds and receives support from communities representing many religious traditions. Mary’s Hope is ecumenical and unaffiliated with any particular faith community. Our programs and workshops are presented from a Judeo-Christian perspective and rooted in our personal faith and healing journeys.

Who is the Mary in Mary’s Hope Workshops?
Mary is Mary of Nazareth who symbolizes all loving mothers – who would pray that their children would feel beloved of God.

What do attendees say about Mary’s Hope Workshops?
The work of Mary’s Hope IS an essential ministry if our churches and our society are ever going to understand the full scope of the damage done to the WHOLE person when one is sexually abused.
Diane Skibicki, OP – Spiritual Director and survivor, CO

Your presentations brought much insight and healing to the participants…you filled a need that had never been addressed, neither by traditional psychotherapy nor even pastoral care offered through their Churches.
Sr. Theresa Rozgo, Director, Bishop DeFalco Retreat & Conference Center, TX

Excellent presentation on the “God” factor and forgiveness – I have been in counseling a long, long time and had not ‘gotten’ those 2 factors so well as I did tonight.
David, survivor, OH

(The Workshop) deepened my understanding of the spiritual impact of abuse and learned more compassionate and effective ways to help my clients find healing.
Robert Jones, Therapist, TX

I came with no confidence of how I might companion a survivor in their healing. I leave knowing I can be a faithful minister to someone abused as a child.
Ayliffe Ris, Spiritual Director, CO

I have always felt so isolated and alone – feeling like God must really hate me. Thank you for your presentation. I feel so ok after hearing that my abuse is counter to what God intends.
Kate, survivor, CO