I’m Laura Howe
Social Worker, Founder of Hope Made strong
Biblically-Based learning to help your leaders care for others
Online Learning
Courses that equip and strengthen ministry leaders to care and support others.
In-person training
Laura brings a fresh voice and practical strategies to create conversations leading to hope, strength, and resilience in staff and volunteer leaders.
Resources
How to support Change
Frustrated at hearing people complain or say they need to change but never follow through? The stages of change model is helpful in understanding how people go through change and how you as a support can help them.
5 Tips to get through the holidays
The holidays The holidays bring stressful moments. It doesn’t matter if you have a hallmark life or if you are someone struggling with loss, anxiety or depression. There are times when you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and even sad. So often when we think...
I Statements – communication strategy
“I” statements are a simple way of speaking that will help you avoid the defensive trap by reducing feelings of blame. A good “I” statement takes responsibility for one’s own feelings, while tactfully describing a problem.
H.A.L.T Communication Strategy
H.A.L.T. It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. It’s a quick and easy reminder that if you feel any of these things you should halt, stop immediately and meet these needs prior to having difficult conversations.
Why is listening so important?
Active listening is listening with curiosity. Guiding the person with questions so they can unwrap and open boxes themselves, where eventually they will find the core issue. I have put together a cheat sheet of curious questions to help you guide people as they tell their stories.
Flipping your lid
“Flipping your lid” is a simplified explanation that I often refer to when describing what happens in the brain when people experience stress. Once you learn this concept you will begin to see if everywhere. The frustrated customer, angry neighbour, the exhausted parent. Your response to this human experience will be forever changed, and you build self awareness resists that urge to flip your own lid.
About Hope Made Strong
Testimonials
“The concepts Laura explained were well articulated and practical. The group project was time well spent, and gave us all practical ways to apply the word of God.”
“It was great to see relevant examples from the Bible of key people who fell easily (or were on the path to fall) into the trap of a cycle that would lead to burnout and anxiety.”
“Great pace! The sessions flew by. Laura has created interactive sessions that incorporated not just teaching, but practical activities, group discussions, and music.”