As the Program Director for ITTP, I thank you for your patience with the laxidasical updating of our website. Several things have occured since the graduation ceremony, and there are many things to inform you about!

First things first:

Our Graduation Ceremony for Osborn Omoding and Rita Ennu was a a great success thanks to our fantastic supporters, generous local businesses, fabulous Board of Directors, Faculty and volunteers! Many thanks goes out to all that supported us in whatever capacity this past fall. We certainly, more than any other year, could not have done it with out all of you!

Rita and Osborn have returned to Uganda, and are busy working wtih Pilgrim. We are anticipating an official update from them and Calvin Echodu soon. Please check back soon for more from our friends in Uganda.

John Van Eenwyk, our Clinical Director, has been enjoying his year-long sabbatical in Trinidad. Never one to rest on his laurels, John has begun meeting with members of the Professional Psychology Association of Trinidad and Tobago about setting up a trauma treatment program there. According to John, “The crime rate for the island as a whole is higher than Washington, DC and for Port-of-Spain, the capitol, higher than any U.S. city. Things are pretty much out of control here.”

John Reports, “As a result of our meeting, the association has asked me to present a one-day workshop where we’ll look how traumatic experiences influence our psychology, what we can do about it, what pitfalls to avoid, and–finally–what resources we can bring to the project. I’ll then consult with them for the time i am here as we launch the project. They have been trying to get this off the ground for over a year, but needed someone to spearhead the effort. ITTP comes through again!”

IN OTHER NEWS:

ITTP has been the fiscal sponsor of a local non-profit, POWER(Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights -formerly known as WROC). It has been a growing and learning experience to be sure. Please visit POWER’s website for more information on their programs in Olympia.

ITTP has also been joining forces with former student, Janaka Jayawickrama to edit and publish the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Bulletin. Through the efforts of Mr. Jayawickrama, the bulletin has grown in content and distribution. We are very excited to be collaborating on this project with Janaka. Please return to this website to view the bulletin in its entirety. The Spring edition should be out by May 1st.

ITTP will be publishing its own newsletter soon as well. If you have any interesting ideas for articles or announcements for our newsletter, please contact Keylee at: minnaloushe2@gmail.com with your ideas. The ITTP Newsletter will also be published in the first week of May.

Finally, this website will be getting a slight overhaul! This is an exciting proposition as there are many blank pages still existing on this site. I will be working with new advisory board member, Andrew Ford Lyons, on a site update and re-design. Please check back for updates soon!

That’s it for now. Thank you all again for your support.

Peace -

Keylee Marineau – Program Director