Father Paul Abernathy will present "Trauma-Informed Community Development " Mon., Feb. 5, 2018, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This is the third session on the Metro-Urban Institute's Urban Leadership Series.
Fr. Abernathy will be discussing the multi-generational, complex trauma that many urban communities experience and the ways in which that must inform the development of those communities. If you are interested in community development, community activism, physical and mental health, violence prevention, or youth development, this is a great session for you!
6:00 p.m. Networking and hors d'oeuvres
6:30 p.m. Presentation
The public is welcome to attend; admission and refreshments are free.
Registration
Please register via Eventbrite to reserve your spot.
Speaker Bio
Fr. Abernathy is an Orthodox Christian priest and the director of FOCUS Pittsburgh, an Orthodox Christian non-profit focused on Trauma Informed Community Development located in the Hill District, Pittsburgh Pa. He earned his bachelor's from Wheeling Jesuit University, master's in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and master of divinity from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Since its inception in 2011, FOCUS Pittsburgh has distributed millions of dollars in food, clothing, furniture, transportation assistance, Identification, and emergency relief to the Greater Pittsburgh community. The group's Back Pack Feeding Program distributes food to 2,500 children every weekend during the school year. Fr. Abernathy is also the CEO of the FOCUS Pittsburgh Free Health Center which offers free primary, behavioral health, and dental care to Pittsburgh’s uninsured and underinsured with an initiative currently underway to address, "Trauma Informed Community Development."
In addition to his work with FOCUS Pittsburgh, Fr. Abernathy is and has been a member of multiple community boards and committees including the Pennsylvania State Parole Citizens Advisory Committee, Neighborhood Allies Grassroots Grant Making Committee, Allegheny County Health Department’s Violence Prevention Community Advisory Board, and is a Foundation of HOPE board member. A former non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Fr. Paul is a combat veteran of the Iraq War and has received awards including the rank of Eagle Scout, the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Award, Larry Richert’s Hometown Hero Award, Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40, and Wheeling Jesuit University’s Fr. Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Alumni Award. Fr. Paul is the pastor of St. Moses Orthodox Christian Mission in the Hill District.
About the Metro-Urban Institute's Leadership Series
The Metro-Urban Institute's Urban Leadership Series is comprised of workshops and lectures aimed at equipping organizations and individuals with the tools and skills necessary to address issues in urban communities. This series is held the first Monday of every month and facilitated by various community subject matter experts. The Urban Leadership Series provides free community-focused professional development to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary students and the community at-large. Check out the list of upcoming events in the Urban Leadership series. For more information, contact Christin Thorpe at or 412-924-1363.
