The economic environment continues to look bleak for many Federal Way residents, but all is not lost.
The City of Federal Way and Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation are partnering to offer a free stress management workshop. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, in the council chambers at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S. The session is open to anybody, but will be especially beneficial to residents who have lost their job, are facing home foreclosure or are somehow suffering from the economic recession, Valley Cities development director Pam Taylor said.
The city is interested in the workshop as a way to assist its citizens and connect them with resources that may help improve their quality of life, said Kelli O’Donnell, Community Development Block Grant coordinator.
“Everybody’s been impacted by the economy in one way or another,” she said.
Valley Cities has seen a 35 percent increase in calls for service, Taylor said. The organization provides services for mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence counseling, family support, vocational training, homelessness and housing, medication management and veterans.
Domestic violence has increased as the economy has worsened, Taylor said. More than 170 local families are on a waiting list for housing, she said.
“We know that people are stressed and there’s high anxiety,” Taylor said.
A professional in the arenas of social work and counseling will be at the workshop to help residents. Attendees will be assisted in identifying what stage of survivalism they are in now, Taylor said. The information provided will help a range of people — from those who are facing homelessness to those who have just missed a mortgage payment, Taylor said.
“This is, in part, to help people figure out what do in whatever financial stage of tough times they are in,” Taylor said.
Counseling and advice
Counseling and advice pertaining to multiple areas of concern will be offered at the event. Financial advising and planning, credit counseling, addressing anxiety and depression and avoiding foreclosure are some topics that will be discussed.
Stress management coping skills will also be taught. A large part of the workshop will focus on teaching attendees how to take a step back from their crisis and see the choices that are still available to them, Taylor said. Those suffering from stress tend to freeze up and stand by as their situation worsens, she said. When balance and perspective are introduced, a person can begin to work proactively and progressively, instead of reacting to his or her situation.
“(The event) will really be based on how to deal with the stress,” Taylor said. “How do you cope? How do you begin that internal forgiveness?”
Attendees will hopefully leave the workshop knowing they are not alone in their struggles — and that local resources for help are nearby.
“The neat thing about these kinds of things are they help you do something about your issues yourself,” Taylor said. “It’s empowering.”
Learn more
For more information or to register, contact Dee Dee Catalano at (253) 835-2651 or denise.catalano@cityoffederalway.com. Attendees are not required to register to attend, but registration is appreciated. Visit Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation’s Web site at www.valleycities.org.
