Greetings!
We have some wonderful news to share this month — and a gentle reminder to take good care of yourselves as summer heats up.
First, we are thrilled to introduce our new Client Services Director, Maria Brennan whom some of you met at our Annual Community Gathering in June. Maria brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and lived experience to this role, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the HOW team.
“I’m so grateful to be joining the HOW team as Client Services Director. My professional path has been deeply shaped by my work in trauma-informed care, supporting individuals and communities through moments of challenge and change. Alongside that, I’ve navigated my own challenging health diagnosis, which has given me a personal understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces. I’m passionate about bringing both my professional skills and lived experience into this role — not just to meet goals, but to promote connection, understanding, and trust.”
Maria’s warmth and wisdom are already making a difference, and we know you’ll feel it too.
And that’s not all on the wisdom front: Thanks to our partners at the Cape Cod Institute (CCI), we will be offering an author talk by Dr. Pilar Jennings on Healing Anxiety: A Buddhist & Psychotherapeutic Perspective. Pilar is one of Gwynne’s mentors for her Buddhist study and practice so we are excited that Pilar’s back on Cape this summer! She is also a visiting lecturer at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University and a faculty member at Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Studies. CCI will provide zoom support so you can join us on-line or in person at CCI the last Wednesday of July (registration info below).
And finally, a caring note as the temperatures climb: please stay cool and safe during this summer’s heat waves. Drink plenty of water, rest in the shade or air conditioning when you can, and check in on neighbors who may need a little extra support.
Stay cool!
Gwynne and the Helping Our Women Team