Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Events Healing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gulfport Rising book launch and free 'Hurricane Community Day of Healing' set for Oct. 18
Summary
Local residents and businesses are hosting a Gulfport Rising book launch on Oct. 18 and a free 'Hurricane Community Day of Healing' the same day at Wonder Works (5314 Gulfport Blvd S) offering counseling, sharing circles and restorative activities.
Gulfport residents are organizing two community events to mark the anniversary of recent hurricanes: a book launch for Gulfport Rising and a free day of healing offering therapeutic activities.
Lynn Taylor, a Gulfport resident of 14 years, said she collected 42 creative submissions—paintings, poems, photographs and personal stories—into a book titled Gulfport Rising and announced a launch set for Oct. 18 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at DRV Gallery in Gulfport. “Since Gulfport is such an artsy town, I asked the people who wanted to contribute to contribute in the way they best express themselves,” she said.
Amy Costa, co‑founder of the Midtown Business Collective and co‑owner of Wonder Works, said the community also will host a Hurricane Community Day of Healing the same day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Boulevard South. The event will be free and feature sound bowls, music, Reiki, massage, sharing circles and on‑site counselors for one‑on‑one support.
Jill Hawken, a founder of SALT (Serving and Loving Together Disaster Recovery), said her nonprofit helps uninsured and underinsured homeowners in long‑term recovery and will share information at the events. She noted that SALT operates under grant parameters and often cannot begin case work until recovery funding arrives, sometimes eight to 16 months after a storm.
Why it matters: Organizers said anniversaries of storms can re‑traumatize survivors and that creative expression and accessible counseling can help residents process grief and loss. The events also provide practical resources—permitting help, referral information and flyers from recovery organizations.
How to participate: Gulfport Rising will be for sale at the launch; the healing day is free and open to anyone, whether or not they were directly affected. Organizers invited residents to sign release waivers (to be posted online) and to record oral histories for a city archive; staff will help residents who need technical assistance to record or submit audio.
Contact and location details: Gulfport Rising launch — Oct. 18, 5:30–8:30 p.m., DRV Gallery (Gulfport). Hurricane Community Day of Healing — Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Wonder Works, 5314 Gulfport Boulevard South (across from Gulf Orchids).
