Press Room
A Love of the Sea and a Community Bond, Honoring the Victims of the Conception Dive Boat Tragedy
Photo Credit: Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth
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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A somber week in Santa Barbara culminating with a vigil Friday night at Chase Palm Park, as the community comes together to grieve and heal.
Hundreds of mourners congregated to honor the 34 lives lost in the Conception dive boat tragedy, where a love of the sea and a community bond is a major aspect of the healing process. 34 lights and dive tanks lined the steps at Chase Palm Park, each representing a life lost at sea. “These lights on stage will forever shine deep within our hearts and may they now lead us into the solace we all now seek,” said Don Barthelmess, Santa Barbara Dive Instructor. Those close to the Conception crew say the diving community in Santa Barbara has no borders. “Nothing in our history surpasses this. We as a community are not alone. We know how to begin this long and difficult process,” said Barthelmess Those paying their respects say with events like this and the Montectio Mudslide, the Santa Barbara community feels connected through the tragedy. Read the full article here > |
Mourners Unite at Vigil to Remember Victims of Conception Dive Boat Disaster
Photo Credit: Brooke Holland/Noozhawk
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The 34 victims of the Conception commercial dive boat fire were remembered Friday evening at a vigil near the Santa Barbara waterfront.
More than 500 community members descended onto the lawn at Santa Barbara’s Chase Palm Park along East Cabrillo Boulevard to grieve, support one another and heal together. People placed white roses at the base of the park’s Great Meadow Stage to honor the victims of Monday's fire and sinking of the 75-foot vessel based out of the Santa Barbara Harbor. Local elected officials and representatives of the incident joint command, including Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, Santa Barbara County Fire District Chief Mark Hartwig and U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Monica Rochester, presented a memorial wreath. Read the full article here > |
ICTG Welcomes Renee Carmichael as Communications Director
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July 29, 2019 — ICTG welcomes Renee Carmichael as Communications Director.
“Nonprofit leaders are always on the lookout for those remarkable individuals who don’t just share passion for mission,” says the Institute’s Executive Director Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe. “They bring strong skills, self-initiative, and creative ingenuity to seeking solutions to complex challenges. Renee is one of those gifted individuals.” Renee began part time with ICTG in an interim role to assess communication practices and strategize a growth plan. Her work also included helping with the 1/9 Montecito Debris Flow memorial event Raising Our Light in Montecito. She created a digital program, eliminating waste at the event, assisted the planning group with marketing, and also designed the Raising Our Light logo. “The work of ICTG, which Renee will oversee as Communication Director, focuses on streamlining internal and external messaging in ways that people coming through chaos can easily understand,” said Wiebe. Read the full press release here > |
Healing the Healers Film Series Targets Community Trauma Workers
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May 30, 2019 — In an initial screening on May 28, ICTG and the Gaede Institute brought together faith and community leaders representing neighborhoods and organizations impacted by the Thomas Fire, Montecito debris flow, Hill and Woolsey fires, Borderline Bar shooting, and Las Vegas/Rt 91 concert shooting.
Leaders represented Westmont College, California Lutheran University, local clergy associations and congregations, Cottage Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Following the historic disaster season throughout the country in recent months and years, including the wildfires, flooding and violence, ICTG has been contacted by local and national leaders for education, coaching, and therapeutic services. Such events, said ICTG executive director Kate Wiebe, invite faith-based and community leaders into a “living conversation” to hear from others who have experienced community-level trauma and reflect on their experiences together. “At ICTG, we are passionate about creating opportunities for faith-based and community leaders to learn how to contribute, together, to whole community care after tragedy, and it means a tremendous amount to us to know that an event like this feels so helpful to the leaders who attend,” Wiebe said. Read the full article here > |
College president Gayle D. Beebe will present Westmont medals to Rev. Dr. Katherine Wiebe
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April 16, 2019 — College president Gayle D. Beebe will present Westmont medals to Rev. Dr. Katherine Wiebe and Lindsay and Laurie Parton.
Wiebe, a Christian pastoral psychotherapist, founded and directs the Santa Barbara-based Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth, providing leaders with restorative strategies for personal and group growth after collective loss. Following recent local tragedies, she has guided the community through her work as a disaster response specialist and group care consultant. She is skilled in assessing complex relational dynamics, facilitating individual and group healing after trauma, and conducting practical re-solving with individuals, families and organizations. Read the full article here > |
Special honors handed out during Women's History Month in Santa Barbara County
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March 19, 2019 — Special honors have been handed out to outstanding women in Santa Barbara County.
As part of Women's History Month, each supervisorial district was able to choose women who have made a special service contributions in the last year. Read the full article here and watch video coverage > |
North County hotels offer discounts to South County evacuees
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February 13, 2019 — Evacuating is, of course, stressful, but it can also be incredibly expensive, according to Kate Wiebe, executive director of the Institute of Collective Trauma and Growth in Santa Barbara.
Many hotels don’t take pets, so Wiebe said evacuees often have to pay for places to keep their pets and a place to stay themselves. Most people like to stay as close to town as possible, because they want to be able to get to work or to bring their children to school, so it’s not always feasible to stay at the cheapest hotel. If they’re unable to get to the office and can’t work remotely, they lose hours and sometimes pay. Depending on where they live and what kind of plan they have, Wiebe said insurance doesn’t always cover evacuation expenses. Read the full article here > |
Recovery and healing: Supporting congregations after trauma
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February 4, 2019 — When the walls come crashing in – the awful day of the tornado, the flood, the accident, the shooting – at first everyone surges into overdrive, into survival mode. Then comes everything else: including the seeping recognition of the magnitude of the loss and all that needs to be done.
For congregations and pastoral leaders committed to recovery, the next step toward healing can be a connection with Kate Wiebe, a Presbyterian minister and executive director of the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG). The institute is a California-based nonprofit that helps congregations and community organizations (such as schools) respond to the impact of trauma — both after it happens and in preparation for what might come down the road. Read the full article here > |
Raising Our Light: An Evening Of Remembrance in Montecito
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January 9, 2019 — An emotional ceremony took place in Montecito on the anniversary of the mudslide that killed 23 people and destroyed homes and flooded the 101 freeway on January 9, 2018. Planning committee members named it "Raising our Light: An Evening of Remembrance in Montecito." It began with a short program on a stage in Lower Manning Park that included music and poetry. Lauren Cantin, who lost her father and brother in the slide, sang Amazing Grace.
KEYT: Read the full article here > Huge Turnout as Community Marks Anniversary of Jan. 9 Debris Flows in Montecito. Candlelight march, bells ceremony and music part of remembering devastating event and 23 who lost their lives. Noozhawk: Read the full article here > Santa Barbara Independent: Read the full article here > Edhat Santa Barbara: Read the full article here > |
Coverage of Raising Our Light: An Evening Of Remembrance in Montecito
Community Forms Long-Term Recovery Team; Group to address ongoing, evolving needs in Montecito
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A new community-based volunteer group has been formed to provide ongoing support and assistance in Montecito’s 1/9 Debris Flow long-term recovery effort.
The Community Long Term Recovery Group follows national guidelines established by FEMA and VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) for long-term disaster recovery. The group, now in its formative stages, will soon play a central role as the Montecito disaster shifts from crisis response to long-term recovery. “Our core mission will be to help assess the evolving needs of the community and connect residents to the right resources, whether it’s in the private sector, government or non-profit arena” said the Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe, the recovery group’s chair and executive director of the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth. Read the full article here > |
ICTG rebrands and continues to expand
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April 30, 2018--ICTG is rebranding and expanding in recognition of its focus on whole community care and support to leaders of all kinds. The new corporate name is Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth, replacing the former name: Institute for Congregational Trauma.
Read the full press release here > |
Marvel Hitson Joins ICTG as Trauma Chaplain
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March 20, 2018 — ICTG welcomes Marvel Hitson to the team to serve as Trauma Chaplain. Marvel brings nearly twenty years of chaplaincy and multilingual grief counseling experience and will be joining ICTG at a critical time of need following the devastating Thomas Fire and Debris Flow in Santa Barbara County. She will be working as an ICTG representative and Crisis Counselor on the HOPE 805 Team in Santa Barbara, which aims to provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to those affected by the recent natural disasters.
Read the full press release here > |
Cottage Health, Santa Barbara Mission Help Community Take First Steps to Post-Disaster Healing
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February 24, 2018 — With the community still reeling from the twin blows of the Thomas Fire and the deadly Montecito flash flooding and mudflows, Cottage Health and the Santa Barbara Mission hosted a forum Saturday to provide tools and guidance for healing. It was an important start, but the event pointed to a realization that the road to recovery will be a very long one.
“How We Heal: Listening for the Good” — a free, three-hour gathering at the mission’s Junipero Serra Hall — included a panel discussion focusing on the community aspect of recovery, as well as a faith-based panel, two question-and-answer sessions, and a continental breakfast and refreshments. Read the full article here > |
Presbyterian churches in Ventura California face new wildfire threats
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December 6, 2017 — Wildfires are raging again in parts of California leaving more than 45,000 acres burned, destroying homes and forcing major evacuations. Apartment complexes, homes and a hospital are among the structures in the path of the fast-moving flames.
“It’s obviously in the very early stages right now and there is little containment of the fire,” said Katie Wiebe, executive director of the Institute for Congregational Trauma and Growth, as well as a member of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s National Response Team. “We have at least two churches, possibly three, that are directly impacted, where they’ve had members evacuated.” Read the full article here > |
How Coming Together to Sing Fosters Community
August 31, 2017 - After addressing the press and the American people on one of the darkest days in United States history, Sept. 11, 2001, Congress showed a rare expression of unity when it spontaneously burst into “God Bless America” on the steps of the Capitol.
A study by Bjorn Vickhoff from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden shows there may be more to Congress’ surprising display of solidarity. When a group sings together, the members’ breathing begins to sync, their hearts start to beat in unison and they collectively relax.
Read the full article here >
A study by Bjorn Vickhoff from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden shows there may be more to Congress’ surprising display of solidarity. When a group sings together, the members’ breathing begins to sync, their hearts start to beat in unison and they collectively relax.
Read the full article here >
Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series Equips Participants with Tools and Responses for Trauma and Recovery
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Feb. 20, 2017 - “The unthinkable does happen to us and to our families and to those around us.”
These were some of the opening words of Hesston College’s interim president, Ben Sprunger, at the kick off session for the annual Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) conference hosted on the Hesston College campus January 17 to 19. Read the full article here> |
Crossing the Aisle to Teach Healing in Response to Trauma
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Jan. 25, 2017 - ICTG Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe shares some insights to the critical work and support she offers congregation leaders dealing with crisis and about the importance of community and “crossing the aisle” to work together in the wake of disaster and trauma.
Read the full article here> |
Melissa Marley Bonnichsen Joins ICTG's Board of Directors
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Jan. 11, 2017 – ICTG welcomes Melissa Marley Bonnichsen, Director of Social Concerns Seminars at University of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, to the Board of Directors.
Read the full press release here> |
Anabaptist Conference to Focus on Resilience and Healing, featuring ICTG Dir. Kate Wiebe
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Dec. 19, 2016 – Hesston, Kan. – A Hesston College conference will tackle the difficult and painful reality of dealing with trauma in its many forms in church and community settings.
Read the full press release here> |
John Tucker Joins the ICTG Board of Directors
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Nov. 10, 2016 – John Tucker, Vice President and Investment Consultant for First National Bank, joins ICTG’s Board of Directors. John brings over a decade of emergency response experience, including twelve years as Fire Chief of the Altavista Fire Company.
Read the full press release here> |
ICTG Welcomes Dave Ardell as Treasurer and Newest Board Member
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October 5, 2016 - The ICTG team welcomes Dave Ardell as Treasurer and newest member of the Board of Directors.
Read the full press release here> |
Local SB nonprofit becomes member of National VOAD
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May 26, 2016 - Institute for Congregational Trauma and Growth (ICTG) has been named an official member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).
Read the full press release here> |
ICTG Becomes Member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
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May 26, 2016 - Institute for Congregational Trauma and Growth (ICTG) has been named an official member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).
Read the full press release here> |
Red Cross Names ICTG Board Director Rev. Canon Mort Ward Advisor of Disaster Spiritual Care for Central California
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May 9, 2016 - Red Cross has named ICTG Board Director Rev. Canon Mort Ward as Advisor of Disaster Spiritual Care (DSC) for Central California.
Read the full press release here> |
ICTG Appoints Harvey Howell as Senior Advisor for Congregations, FEMA, and VOAD Relations
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May 2, 2016 - Institute for Congregational Trauma and Growth (ICTG) has announced Harvey Howell as Senior Advisor for Congregations, FEMA, and VOAD relations.
Read the full press release here> |
Seminar Provides Advice on Violence, Trauma
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Featured speaker Kate Wiebe, executive director of the Institute for Congregational Trauma and Growth, said that it could be important to give kids an avenue to let off some steam..
Read more> |
KEYT reports on Forum for Disaster Response
Natural Disasters and Their Impact on Children
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