Is a painful memory haunting your every thought? Or do you know someone who has become so overcome with grief that it consumes them?
Such questions were the topic of the 19th Annual Peacemaking Colloquium, which was hosted by Eastern’s social work department. On Monday, March 27, the Gough Great Room was flooded with social work majors, minors and a wide range of people interested in this very important topic.
Rob and Judy Reid hosted the event and brought their enthusiasm for helping others to campus. They delivered a powerful and passionate presentation that was timely and well organized.
After graduating from Eastern’s social work program in 1980, the Reid’s found their calling at a Christian non-profit social service agency called ACCESS but eventually started their own program.
In 2000 they founded the Peacemaker Center in Downington, Pennsylvania, and have used their therapy to help many find peace with God, themselves and others.
Rob used the colloquium to share about how to start a non profit organization and to understand how to deal with social work and welfare issues with a Christian mindset.
“We believe the word is a light unto our path,” Rob said. “True commitment to that faith is to reach out to those who are hurting.”
Rob went on to explain that the organization helps people deal with divorce, addictions, adolescent problems and other forms of grief.
Grasping the attention of his audience, Rob gave good and valuable advice to students who may want to pursue similar paths.
“The average person can do great things,” Rob said. “Don’t let the wall of bureaucracy discourage you from achieving your dreams.”
Rob then turned the platform over to his wife, Judy, who spoke more in depth about what the Peacemaker Center does.
“We work with people in a number of different capacities,” Judy said, as she mentioned a broad range of issues from eating disorders to financial counseling.
Affiliated with several churches, the center tries to connect with people and meet certain needs.
“When people have conflict, it hurts them in relationships. We have the opportunity to make a difference in their [people’s] lives,” Judy said and talked about how anxiety can be replaced with prayer.
Judy also spoke extensively about a growing sector within their center called Job 17 which specializes in dealing with victims of sexual abuse.
Named after a powerful section of scripture in the Book of Job, this program works to “let people know there is hope.”
The couple stayed around and answered a number of good questions from the crowd and offered a lot of helpful feedback.
“We are trying to build an organization that will be around for a long time,” Rob said.