Partners in the Journey

April 19-20, 2024
In Person Support Group Leaders Training Weekend
12 CEUs for Licensed Counselors, Social Workers, CDVP, PAIP

This training is for church leaders, lay people, and professionals.

Partners in the Journey Training

As a lay person or professional, are you interested in starting a support group for women who experience domestic violence and abusive relationships?

FOCUS Ministries offers a certificate program for support group leaders in our Partners in the Journey Seminars. The training includes an extensive training manual that covers all the aspects of starting a support group, the dynamics of support groups, domestic violence training, how to help a victim, and information on how to provide spiritual direction for victims of abuse.

Our training goes beyond the seminars. Our FOCUS support group leaders become part of a Christian community of leaders worldwide and a member of an established organization that has proven itself since 1995.

FOCUS Ministries is dedicated to serving our leaders by:

  • Offering confidential one-on-one leader consultation regarding areas of concern and problematic issues.
  • Providing encouragement, support, and spiritual direction.
  • Providing prayer support.
  • Providing advertisement of support groups on our website.

Seminar Description

  • Starting a faith based DV support group: structure, format, advertising
  • Dynamics of support groups: team approach
  • Curriculum and resources
  • Identifying and handling issues within the support group
  • Providing guidance and spiritual direction for DV victims
  • Understanding faith issues in DV situations
  • Understanding the impact of the victim’s concept of God in their healing process
  • What is Domestic Violence: Types of Abuse, Cycle of Abuse
  • Profile of an Abuser
  • Why Does She Stay/Helper vs. Rescuer
  • DV Impact on Children

Seminar Details

  • Location:
    FOCUS Ministries will hold its training at the
    FOCUS Office
    57 E. Park Blvd.
    Villa Park, IL 60181
    630-617-0088
  • Date:
    Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, 2024
    Registration Deadline: April 10, 2024
    Doors open by 8:30 am
  • Lunch is on your own
  • Cost:
    Training: $135.00 NONREFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE
    Support Group Leader’s Guide: $40.00 *The Support Group Leader’s Guide is not the same as the Training Manual and may be purchased at the seminar or at the time of registration.

    12 CEUs: $40.00 for Licensed Counselors, Social Workers, CDVP, PAIP

    • 12 CEUs: $40.00 for Licensed Counselors, Social Workers, CDVP, PAIP plus $135 registration fee. *
      All fees are nonrefundable. *
  • Lodging:
    Each attendee is responsible for making their own hotel reservations!

    Comfort Inn Suites
    17 W 445 Roosevelt Road
    Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
    630-916-1000

    Courtyard Marriott
    370 Route 83
    Elmhurst, IL 60126
    630-941-9444

    SpringHill Suites
    410 W. Lake Street
    Elmhurst, IL 60126
    630-782-6300

  • Resources will be available for purchase at the seminar.
  • For a printable copy of the brochure for more information and to print out copies to give to others, please Download BrochurePDF document

Online Registration
NONREFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE: $135.00
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2024

Unlicensed Attendees

Online Registration

Licensed Counselors, Social Workers, CDVP, PAIP

Online Registration

 
Mail-in Registration

To register by postal mail, please download the registration form:
Mail in registration PDF document

Please print the registration form, fill it out and send it with a check or money order to:

FOCUS Ministries, Inc.
57 E. Park Blvd.
Villa Park, IL 60181

 

Our Trainers

Paula SilvaPaula Silva
Paula Silva is co-founder and president of FOCUS Ministries, Inc. and coauthor of the book, Violence Among Us: Ministry to Families in Crisis. Paula has an MA in Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University and has also attended Larry Crabb’s School of Spiritual Direction. She counsels and coaches those who experience abusive relationships since 1995. She is the trainer at Partners in the Journey seminar, training for support groups leaders, and support group facilitator for women who have been abused.

Evelyn ColonEvelyn Colon
Evelyn Colon is an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional and Abuser Intervention Facilitator. Evelyn joined FOCUS in 2007 as a leader and facilitator for FOCUS Support Group Ministry. Evelyn has a heart for hurting women and has ministered to those women in the Christian community that have experienced domestic violence and abuse. Evelyn also is a trainer at Partners in the Journey seminar for FOCUS Ministries, Inc.

Jane BelongeaJane Belongea
Jane Belongea is a trainer at Partners in the Journey seminar for FOCUS Ministries, Inc. She also is a Certified Focus Ministries Support Leader, since 2015 and facilitates a support group for Focus Ministries Support Group Leaders. With deep passion and gentle humor, Jane loves to serve, encourage and educate women about abuse and the healing hope only found in Jesus Christ.