Joey Ruffin
Chill Out is blessed to have so many wonderful members from all imaginable walks of life. Each and every one has, and is, making a unique contribution to the world in their own way. Today, The Chill Out Spotlight is on Laura Cowan who has committed her life to helping others live their lives fearlessly and more abundantly. Laura, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is an IT expert and trainer by profession. Personally, she is a highly sought after domestic violence advocate. While both her professional and personal pursuits impact many people, it’s her role as domestic violence advocate and volunteer that has brought her local and national attention. Laura, herself, is a survivor of domestic violence. She, and her children, suffered unspeakable emotional and physical abuse at the hands of someone whom she thought was her protector.
Due to very courageous acts on Laura’s part, she and her children were rescued from her captor. Thankful to be alive and healthy, Laura decided she wanted to pay it forward and help others who might be experiencing the same types of physical and emotional cruelty. Since getting out of her abusive relationship, she has worked tirelessly to educate and support victims of domestic violence. Laura’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has appeared on a variety of locally and nationally televised programs and news shows, including a guest spot on Anderson Cooper’s television show and interviews on CNN. Laura was recently honored on the Meredith Vieira Show where she was surprised with food, furniture and other gifts in recognition of her hard work.
Laura has specific advice for women who are in abusive relationships. She says that it’s important to get out of relationships that have become violent because the situation is going to get worse; not better and that protecting themselves and their children should be the primary concern. She also urges women to confide in someone they can trust and let that person know what’s going on.
Of the many contributions Laura has made toward educating and counseling about domestic abuse, she says her most significant accomplishment is creating The Laura Cowan Foundation that is based in schools, colleges, Grafton Correctional Institute and several church groups. The foundation helps to bring awareness, via workshops, on domestic violence, teen dating violence, bullying and human trafficking. Laura acknowledges that it’s not only important to educate women but men need to be educated as well.
Looking forward, Laura has some exciting news to share with Chill Out members. A play about her life, titled, “Stay Alive, The Lauren Cowan Story” will be performed this Friday, December 5th, at CSU in Cleveland. Details regarding the play are posted below. If you are in the area, please check this play out. There is no doubt that you will be moved by Laura’s journey from victim to victor.
We are honored to have Laura as a member of our Chill Out family and we hear from a very reliable source, who will remain smoothly anonymous, that Laura has a wicked sense of humor. We hope you will check out more of Laura’s fascinating and inspiring story. You can find a lot of information about this remarkable woman at Youtube and other internet resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT LAURA:
Professionally:
Laura is the I.T. Technical Trainer at CMHA (Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority) where she coordinates, develops, and implements all training for the Agency under the I.T. Director. She also assesses training needs and makes recommendations to decision makers, conducts training for New Employee Orientation, prepares and presents training materials for both classroom and web-based training; and develops training documents including both instructor and end-user materials.
Personally:
Laura is a domestic violence advocate. She volunteers at the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center and is a member of Coalition For A Better Life (Peace In The Hood).
She Provides information and support to victims and provides consultation, workshops, education and training to assist in the prevention of domestic violence and child abuse.
Volunteer Work:
Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center http://www.dvcac.org/
Civil Rights and Social Action
Laura performs a variety of tasks including coordinate work with women and children, hotline advocacy, administrative work, maintenance projects, assist staff with local community speaking engagements. She also provides basic domestic violence information at health fairs, career fairs, and other community based functions.
Honors and Awards:
APRIL 2013
Minority Good Works Program Award
CAAO (CONSORTIUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS)
http://www.caao.net/WelcomeTo My World
Monday, 1 December 2014
CHILL OUT SPOTLIGHT on LAURA COWAN, Domestic Violence and Children’s Advocate, Educator, Counselor, Community Volunteer, and True American Hero
Joey Ruffin
Chill Out is blessed to have so many wonderful members from all imaginable walks of life. Each and every one has, and is, making a unique contribution to the world in their own way. Today, The Chill Out Spotlight is on Laura Cowan who has committed her life to helping others live their lives fearlessly and more abundantly. Laura, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is an IT expert and trainer by profession. Personally, she is a highly sought after domestic violence advocate. While both her professional and personal pursuits impact many people, it’s her role as domestic violence advocate and volunteer that has brought her local and national attention. Laura, herself, is a survivor of domestic violence. She, and her children, suffered unspeakable emotional and physical abuse at the hands of someone whom she thought was her protector.
Due to very courageous acts on Laura’s part, she and her children were rescued from her captor. Thankful to be alive and healthy, Laura decided she wanted to pay it forward and help others who might be experiencing the same types of physical and emotional cruelty. Since getting out of her abusive relationship, she has worked tirelessly to educate and support victims of domestic violence. Laura’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has appeared on a variety of locally and nationally televised programs and news shows, including a guest spot on Anderson Cooper’s television show and interviews on CNN. Laura was recently honored on the Meredith Vieira Show where she was surprised with food, furniture and other gifts in recognition of her hard work.
Laura has specific advice for women who are in abusive relationships. She says that it’s important to get out of relationships that have become violent because the situation is going to get worse; not better and that protecting themselves and their children should be the primary concern. She also urges women to confide in someone they can trust and let that person know what’s going on.
Of the many contributions Laura has made toward educating and counseling about domestic abuse, she says her most significant accomplishment is creating The Laura Cowan Foundation that is based in schools, colleges, Grafton Correctional Institute and several church groups. The foundation helps to bring awareness, via workshops, on domestic violence, teen dating violence, bullying and human trafficking. Laura acknowledges that it’s not only important to educate women but men need to be educated as well.
Looking forward, Laura has some exciting news to share with Chill Out members. A play about her life, titled, “Stay Alive, The Lauren Cowan Story” will be performed this Friday, December 5th, at CSU in Cleveland. Details regarding the play are posted below. If you are in the area, please check this play out. There is no doubt that you will be moved by Laura’s journey from victim to victor.
We are honored to have Laura as a member of our Chill Out family and we hear from a very reliable source, who will remain smoothly anonymous, that Laura has a wicked sense of humor. We hope you will check out more of Laura’s fascinating and inspiring story. You can find a lot of information about this remarkable woman at Youtube and other internet resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT LAURA:
Professionally:
Laura is the I.T. Technical Trainer at CMHA (Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority) where she coordinates, develops, and implements all training for the Agency under the I.T. Director. She also assesses training needs and makes recommendations to decision makers, conducts training for New Employee Orientation, prepares and presents training materials for both classroom and web-based training; and develops training documents including both instructor and end-user materials.
Personally:
Laura is a domestic violence advocate. She volunteers at the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center and is a member of Coalition For A Better Life (Peace In The Hood).
She Provides information and support to victims and provides consultation, workshops, education and training to assist in the prevention of domestic violence and child abuse.
Volunteer Work:
Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center http://www.dvcac.org/
Civil Rights and Social Action
Laura performs a variety of tasks including coordinate work with women and children, hotline advocacy, administrative work, maintenance projects, assist staff with local community speaking engagements. She also provides basic domestic violence information at health fairs, career fairs, and other community based functions.
Honors and Awards:
APRIL 2013
Minority Good Works Program Award
CAAO (CONSORTIUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS)
http://www.caao.net/
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