Forgiveness, Compassion + Reconciliation: A Personal Practice
Speaker: Gina Bell, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Dubuque
The Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (ESPERE) is a workshop focused on healing emotional pain. Based on a teaching methodology called Popular Education, which draws on individual’s experiences, ESPERE helps participants recognize the link between unprocessed trauma and the use of aggression to manage daily frustrations and conflicts, and fosters a space for open dialogue, and building compassion for self and others. Gina will introduce some core concepts from the 32-hour workshop in this interactive session. Be ready to talk about yourself in a new way, think about forgiveness in a different way, and be a little uncomfortable in the best way.
All are welcome. All are worthy. All belong.
We are proud to be a 100% donation-supported organization. Our spaces, speakers, and programming are all gifted by those who support our vision. #bettertogether
Our Structure:
6:15 • Doors Open
6:30 • Speaker Begins
7:30 • Wrap up or hang out with your new friends!
About Gina:
Gina Bell is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Dubuque. She is responsible for delivering the mayor’s sustainability and resiliency priorities by working across city departments and with community partners to implement the Climate Action Plan. Gina graduated from Pacific University in Oregon and served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Upon returning to the US, Gina worked for the City of Portland and at Adelante Mujeres as a “jill of all trades.” During her later years with the organization, she led the ESPERE Program (Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation) focused on trauma-reduction. She formalized the program and brought structure and accessibility and positioned ESPERE to grow and be replicated throughout the region. She is a certified provider of ESPERE by the Centro Cultural Loyola de Monterrey, Mexico and Adelante Mujeres. Gina is also the favorite daughter of the 4 Bell girls and passionate about social justice. After 20+ years on the west coast, Gina returned to Iowa with her partner, John, and 2 daughters, Lola and Luciana, to address climate change in her hometown.