by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
PRAIRIE VILLAGE — Safe environment coordinators (SECs) and Virtus facilitators across the archdiocese are invited to an Appreciation Day on Nov. 5 at St. Ann Church here, hosted by the office for prevention and care (OPC).
“Our goal is to show our appreciation for the oftentimes unseen, difficult and critical work in this ministry,” said Sandy Vielhauer, safe environment administrator for the OPC.
“The Appreciation Day is intended to provide a renewal for them and helps them develop a network of support for each other,” she added.
The archdiocese has around 260 SECs and 70 Virtus facilitators, and this will be the fourth year the OPC has hosted an Appreciation Day for them.
It will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Archbishop Shawn McKnight attending part of the day.
The Appreciation Day will feature guest speaker Rachel Willoughby Greene, MS, LPC, LCPC, a trauma-informed counselor who works with military members, veterans, first responders and their families.
Nubia Palacios Rivas, safe environment administrator-Hispanic community for the OPC, said Greene will provide insight on the advocacy and care side of the ministry.
“Rachel will be presenting on trauma-informed care, secondary and vicarious trauma, and post-traumatic growth,” said Rivas. “Her presentation will provide tools our ambassadors can utilize as they continue at the frontline of our prevention efforts.
“Our goal is for our ambassadors to leave empowered, connected and aware of their contributions and the impact they have on providing safe environments.”
The SECs and Virtus facilitators were surveyed in advance to guide this year’s agenda.
Kathleen Chastain, associate director of the OPC, said respondents expressed an interest in learning more about topics related to the OPC ministry and understanding how their roles relate to the overall safe environment mission.
“Respondents also indicated a desire to ‘connect’ with the chancery — to better understand what has changed and what to expect in the coming year,” said Chastain.
“One exciting way we plan to do this is by incorporating synodal listening — first by providing an interactive opportunity with Archbishop McKnight,” she said, “and later in the day through a synodal listening session facilitated by the OPC team.”
Jenifer Valenti, OPC director, is grateful for the archbishop’s support.
“Archbishop McKnight’s presence and participation underscores the critical and difficult responsibility our ambassadors bear in abuse prevention,” said Valenti.
“His participation aims to provide a direct, supportive space for ambassadors’ insights to shape the broader institutional response,” she said.
To learn more about the OPC, visit: archkck.org/prevention-and-care/office.
