Blog
Joy
Joy. Such a small word. A word that seems out of place in a world rocked by death, destruction, violence and oppression. An experience that seems so far away as we are struggling to survive, or fight racism, or cure and prevent disease, or heal ourselves and others,...
Cup Of Grace
Out of habit and routine, I begin my day with a fresh cup of coffee (or two). I like it rich and strong, with the perfect amount of cream and sugar. While the coffee is brewing and my home is filling up with that comforting aroma, I tidy up the kitchen, and scroll...
Shelter & Place: An Interactive Drive-In Storytelling Performance
CHRIS 180’s Drop-In Center for youth facing homelessness, The SPOT, and StoryMuse announce a new event—Shelter & Place: an interactive drive-in storytelling performance—which will take place Friday, July 17 in the parking lot of CHRIS 180’s Center of Excellence...
Stress In A Time Of COVID-19
Stress is a part of life. However, with COVID-19 being our new normal, along with the recent ongoing struggles for racial justice in the Black community, we have more to be stressed about than ever. Recognizing that you are feeling stressed or may potentially...
Don’t Judge A Teen By Their Cover
Teenagers need time alone. It is essential to their cognitive and emotional development. However, time alone can be hard to come by when families are staying home and there is little private space. I want to share the story of a teenager I know. James is 17 and...
Helping Kids to Try New Things
One of the great things about being an adult is getting to choose when we want to try new things. Sure, everyone else is watching Mrs. America or Tiger King, but you? You’re going to binge watch all seven seasons of Buffy. For the eighth time. You might temper that...
Child Friendly Mindfulness Practices
We’ve all heard the term, but what exactly is mindfulness? How can it really help me? Mindfulness and relaxation practices have been around for ages, but in recent years have gained attention for their calming effects on people of all ages. Being mindful is...
How to Manage Stress While Stressed! – Part 2
Hopefully you read part 1 of this article and came back for more tips! Managing stress is personal to all of us… what works for one may not work for another. The tips listed are general suggestions that people have reported helpful in the past. What helps you manage...
How to Manage Stress While Stressed!
Stress and anxiety are likely a part of your new normal during this pandemic, and it makes sense. Any way you look at it, this is a stressful time. People are losing their jobs, people can’t see their friends/loved ones, food shortages in grocery stores, where there...
Fighting for full equality
CHRIS 180 applauds today’s Supreme Court decision affirming that LGBTQ and transgender people are equal under the law. Based on Congress’ landmark civil rights bill passed in 1964, the Court recognized that our nation’s anti-discrimination laws apply to all people,...
Choose Joy
The world is completely chaotic right now. Everyday something changes. Abnormal is the new normal and for many of us the uncertainty of it all is making it hard to be optimistic. Yes, even those of us irritatingly happy people have found it hard to remain hopeful at...
What Good Can Come of This?
Who would have thought the brutal murders of several black men and women would, after so many years, bring out millions of people to rally for the value of all human life -- especially black lives --and to protest police violence and injustice?? Who would have...
Standing For Each Other – Against Racism
I am deeply affected by the recent horrible, racist acts that claimed the lives of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and far too many others in the black community. Over the past few days I’ve spent time thinking about what I want to share, from my heart. I...
Beginning Again
I am new to the CHRIS 180 family, having worked for some time at the now closed Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, I now work at the CHRIS Counseling Center – DeKalb. The counseling center has been in my life since I came to Atlanta for seminary and hospital...
A Small Word for a Big Experience
The month of April was difficult for me, both as a human living in the age of a global pandemic, and as a bereaved daughter. April 13, 2020 marked what would have been my mother’s 70th birthday. We lost her suddenly just over four years ago. This was the first year...
Mentionable and Manageable
“I’m getting really tired of being alone,” a friend said, tears flowing down her face. “I’m angry I don’t get to have my graduation ceremony,” a high school student confided. “I’m disappointed we can’t go on the cruise we’ve looked forward to for a year,” someone...
CHRIS 180 Meets Need During Pandemic
The Atlanta Journal Constitution featured CHRIS 180 on the cover of the paper Sunday, May 17 and in an online story, highlighting our efforts to meet the growing need of children, adults and families during the COVID-19 crisis. Read the article.
Every Waking Moment
It is 2 am, you are awake, and your mind is racing. You do not understand how it is you can still be awake. You had a long and exhausting day, you were too tired to even eat dinner. You could not wait to take a shower, and just fall into bed, so you did. That was five...
20 Kid-Friendly Activities To Do While Practicing Social Distancing!
We’re all feeling it. We’re all thinking it. How much longer will this be our reality? What can I possibly plan for today that will feel different than yesterday? Remaining in our homes for extended periods of time is something we’re all trying to adjust to. Kids...
The Balancing Act: How to Manage Working and Caring for Kids at Home
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many families into a work-from-home model almost overnight and it’s been that way for over two months. This unexpected event for which we were unprepared has created stress in many homes. Parents are seeking a solution to being with...
Catastrophic Thinking
The COVID-19 crisis has been marked by a relentless and sometimes unreliable exposure to news. We are living in the presence of uncertainty, without a sense of direction for recovery. We say “I don’t know” more than not, yet we want to discuss this time of our lives....
