About Us- Our History And Team
“It was while sitting, locked inside my upstairs bathroom after a flashback, that the idea of EmpowerSurvivors was born.
I just couldn’t believe that the pain of childhood sexual abuse that I had pushed so far back in my mind could come back with such vengeance. The flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, hyper vigilance, nightmares and suicidal thoughts seemed to take over my life and I thought I was losing my mind. I didn’t know who I could tell, who I could trust and was fearful of anyone finding out about this "secret" I had kept for decades. I feared things I did not understand, and wore the cloak of shame and blame so tight around me that the thought of telling anyone of my childhood molestation and rape made me physically , emotionally, mentally and spiritually sick. I was stuck in a world of negative voices, isolation, and felt as though my life as I knew it was over.
I wondered how abuse of this kind could be happening to children at epidemic levels and no one was talking about this. I wondered how I could go a lifetime not realizing how unprocessed trauma had affected my life. I wondered how I could go through life thinking I was damaged goods, dirty, not good enough and why when I finally did break my silence no one was there to support me or others abused as children.
I just couldn’t accept the silence, the lack of education and support, the blame put on survivors of this crime, and so began not only my healing journey but the beginnings of EmpowerSurvivors.” - Elizabeth
EmpowerSurvivors was created and founded by Elizabeth Sullivan in 2014. It was during her own healing journey that she realized survivors needed an organization that would create a “safe place” of support for survivors, provide resources and educate survivors to better understand their own healing journey and how the child abuse done to them so many years ago could manifest itself into every fiber of their being.
Today , EmpowerSurvivors, is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization based in Stillwater,MN and run and operated by adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma.
EmpowerSurvivors supports survivors locally, nationally and worldwide. We believe in uniting our voices, supporting survivors on their healing journey’s , educating communities on childhood sexual abuse and prevention and reducing the the adverse childhood experiences that effects not only the survivor but their families, society, and institutions.
Today we offer online and offline peer support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, support the family and friends of survivors, offer classes, educate the community on child abuse and prevention and currently hold a annual event for survivors and community called “Giving Voice”.
Together we can make a world where children can grow up safe, become who they are meant to be and break the cycle of abuse that goes on for generations.
Contact Elizabeth Sullivan at EmpowerSurvivors for more information on groups, classes or events.
Schedule Elizabeth to speak at your next event, to donate, or become involved in our mission!
www.EmpowerSurvivors.net
651-300-9180
Click here to read Elizabeth's 2015 interview in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Elizabeth's story told on NAASCA's Stop Child Abuse Now Program:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/naasca/2015/08/08/stop-child-abuse-now-scan--1155
Click Below for More EmpowerSurvivors Articles
http://greaterstillwaterchamber.com/2016/10/chamber-welcomes-non-profit-empowersurvivors/
http://www.presspubs.com/st_croix/article_cca28c24-9a35-11e6-ab21-3b2b9614c4bf.html
http://naasca.org/StopTheSilence/bio-ElizabethSullivan.htm
I just couldn’t believe that the pain of childhood sexual abuse that I had pushed so far back in my mind could come back with such vengeance. The flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, hyper vigilance, nightmares and suicidal thoughts seemed to take over my life and I thought I was losing my mind. I didn’t know who I could tell, who I could trust and was fearful of anyone finding out about this "secret" I had kept for decades. I feared things I did not understand, and wore the cloak of shame and blame so tight around me that the thought of telling anyone of my childhood molestation and rape made me physically , emotionally, mentally and spiritually sick. I was stuck in a world of negative voices, isolation, and felt as though my life as I knew it was over.
I wondered how abuse of this kind could be happening to children at epidemic levels and no one was talking about this. I wondered how I could go a lifetime not realizing how unprocessed trauma had affected my life. I wondered how I could go through life thinking I was damaged goods, dirty, not good enough and why when I finally did break my silence no one was there to support me or others abused as children.
I just couldn’t accept the silence, the lack of education and support, the blame put on survivors of this crime, and so began not only my healing journey but the beginnings of EmpowerSurvivors.” - Elizabeth
EmpowerSurvivors was created and founded by Elizabeth Sullivan in 2014. It was during her own healing journey that she realized survivors needed an organization that would create a “safe place” of support for survivors, provide resources and educate survivors to better understand their own healing journey and how the child abuse done to them so many years ago could manifest itself into every fiber of their being.
Today , EmpowerSurvivors, is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization based in Stillwater,MN and run and operated by adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma.
EmpowerSurvivors supports survivors locally, nationally and worldwide. We believe in uniting our voices, supporting survivors on their healing journey’s , educating communities on childhood sexual abuse and prevention and reducing the the adverse childhood experiences that effects not only the survivor but their families, society, and institutions.
Today we offer online and offline peer support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, support the family and friends of survivors, offer classes, educate the community on child abuse and prevention and currently hold a annual event for survivors and community called “Giving Voice”.
Together we can make a world where children can grow up safe, become who they are meant to be and break the cycle of abuse that goes on for generations.
Contact Elizabeth Sullivan at EmpowerSurvivors for more information on groups, classes or events.
Schedule Elizabeth to speak at your next event, to donate, or become involved in our mission!
www.EmpowerSurvivors.net
651-300-9180
Click here to read Elizabeth's 2015 interview in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Elizabeth's story told on NAASCA's Stop Child Abuse Now Program:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/naasca/2015/08/08/stop-child-abuse-now-scan--1155
Click Below for More EmpowerSurvivors Articles
http://greaterstillwaterchamber.com/2016/10/chamber-welcomes-non-profit-empowersurvivors/
http://www.presspubs.com/st_croix/article_cca28c24-9a35-11e6-ab21-3b2b9614c4bf.html
http://naasca.org/StopTheSilence/bio-ElizabethSullivan.htm
The Team - Together We Can End Child Abuse!
EmpowerSurvivors board is made up of individuals that have personal experience with childhood sexual abuse, have family or friends that were sexually abused or work in a field that works with survivors and trauma. Together we work together as one team and family to ensure all who come to EmpowerSurvivors will be supported on their healing journeys, learn, grow and be supported.
ZACH CARLSEN
Founder of Strengths Life Consulting, Zach has been building teams, coaching individuals, and teaching for more than a decade. To all his work, he brings his belief that we each have a unique value to add to the world and that our differences make us strong. By focusing on cultivating Strengths and personal development, mutually beneficial relationships are formed, which affect us all and improve the quality of our shared human experience. This creates stronger teams, confident and happy individuals, and purpose-driven organizations that make an impact.
Developing businesses, teaching in higher education, and committed to lifelong learning, Zach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree in English and Pedagogy from the University of Montana as well as advanced certifications from Gallup Corporation. He is passionate, present, and solution-minded in his work, always innovating, collaborating, and designing strategies where groups are empowered and an individual’s best self is constantly revealed. His goal-centric and action-oriented approach to team and personal development are trademarks to his approach to effective team-building and professional development consulting.
Zach lives in Minnesota where he writes, coaches, and teaches.
AIMEE VAN OSTRAND
Aimee Van Ostrand, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist and owner at Healing Within Acupuncture in Stillwater and White Bear Lake. Aimee received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA and her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) in Roseville, MN. She is an NCCAOM Board Certified Practitioner, licensed by both the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Aimee practices acupuncture in a group setting called community acupuncture. This model increases access to care by making treatments affordable.
ANITA S WHITE
Independent Contractor, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach. Dynamic consultant in learning, healing and applying tools for personal growth and professional development in order to achieve powerful confidence and amazing results. Guided by vast experience, specialized education, proven positive results. Anita is a certified therapeutic coach, founder of Whitelighter Coaching Quest, and trusted real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Burnet located in Stillwater,MN.
Charity Barlass- Bio Coming Soon!
Elizabeth Sullivan
Elizabeth is the founder and CEO of EmpowerSurvivors, child abuse survivor, facilitator, speaker, activist, survivor coach and mother of three who has made it her life mission to support survivors on their healing journey's, educate communities on child abuse, and aid in the prevention of child abuse and adverse childhood experiences.
ZACH CARLSEN
Founder of Strengths Life Consulting, Zach has been building teams, coaching individuals, and teaching for more than a decade. To all his work, he brings his belief that we each have a unique value to add to the world and that our differences make us strong. By focusing on cultivating Strengths and personal development, mutually beneficial relationships are formed, which affect us all and improve the quality of our shared human experience. This creates stronger teams, confident and happy individuals, and purpose-driven organizations that make an impact.
Developing businesses, teaching in higher education, and committed to lifelong learning, Zach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts degree in English and Pedagogy from the University of Montana as well as advanced certifications from Gallup Corporation. He is passionate, present, and solution-minded in his work, always innovating, collaborating, and designing strategies where groups are empowered and an individual’s best self is constantly revealed. His goal-centric and action-oriented approach to team and personal development are trademarks to his approach to effective team-building and professional development consulting.
Zach lives in Minnesota where he writes, coaches, and teaches.
AIMEE VAN OSTRAND
Aimee Van Ostrand, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist and owner at Healing Within Acupuncture in Stillwater and White Bear Lake. Aimee received her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA and her Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine from American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) in Roseville, MN. She is an NCCAOM Board Certified Practitioner, licensed by both the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Aimee practices acupuncture in a group setting called community acupuncture. This model increases access to care by making treatments affordable.
ANITA S WHITE
Independent Contractor, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach. Dynamic consultant in learning, healing and applying tools for personal growth and professional development in order to achieve powerful confidence and amazing results. Guided by vast experience, specialized education, proven positive results. Anita is a certified therapeutic coach, founder of Whitelighter Coaching Quest, and trusted real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Burnet located in Stillwater,MN.
Charity Barlass- Bio Coming Soon!
Elizabeth Sullivan
Elizabeth is the founder and CEO of EmpowerSurvivors, child abuse survivor, facilitator, speaker, activist, survivor coach and mother of three who has made it her life mission to support survivors on their healing journey's, educate communities on child abuse, and aid in the prevention of child abuse and adverse childhood experiences.
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EmpowerSurvivors is located in the beauitiful St. Croix Valley also known as the "birthplace" of Minnesota.
Main Location 1940 South Greeley Street, Suite 210, Stillwater,MN 55082. Hours Of Operation- By Appointment - Please Call Sunday Closed Monday 10:00 am–3:00 pm Tuesday 10:00 am–3:00 pm Wednesday Closed Thursday 10:00 am–8:00 pm Friday Closed Saturday Closed 651-300-9180 |
Come join our EmpowerSurvivors family and mission!
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