On October 5, 2024, twenty-eight community members gathered in to Watseka Lounge for a day of training in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). The training was sponsored by the Social Action and Missions (SAM) team to promote mental health and well-being by teaching empathetic communication. NVC is a set of skills designed to help people move through conflict with grace and understanding. It is also a philosophy of living that emphasizes the importance of using empathy to understand the feelings and needs of others, and to avoid making judgments. NVC is taught worldwide by certified trainers, including Leslie Ritter-Jenkins, an Urbana native who joined us from the Chicago-based Institute for Empowering Communication.
Throughout the day Leslie skillfully guided the group through a series of activities intended to teach the basics of NVC, including the communication of observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Participants came from multiple walks of life and received help in facing a variety of life issues, including communication challenges in families and workplaces. Leslie observed that "The workshop was full of curious and caring people wanting to bring the spirit and practice of Nonviolent Communication to their families, work, and community. They want to cross the divides in our nation and world.”
Since the workshop, the organizing committee, consisting of Ryan Larsen, Emily Lux, and Sisa Pon Renie, have received valuable feedback from participants, including multiple positive comments:
“I am EXTREMELY grateful to the Wesley community for their generosity to create space for this workshop and continuing work. This kind of communication is much needed in our society. Personally, I had some surprising revelations about my relationship with myself and then, my daughter. I hope these help us heal our fraught relationship. I also feel empowered to hold compassionate space for myself, my loved ones and my colleagues, and to use NVC in my work with racial justice.”
“Leslie's way of tuning in and connecting was a helpful model to see how impactful this model can be. She really got to the heart of people's issues and helped figure out their feelings and needs.”
“Thank you so much for making this affordable. I also felt at ease with food/lunch/drinks and childcare taken care of. My son and I left feeling connected and joyful!”
“Leslie is incredibly efficient and effective in communicating. Every word was important and necessary. Every minute of my time ‘investment’ was rewarded with insights.”
“I am very thankful for this opportunity! I learned so much that can translate into my everyday life at home and at work (with the help of the ongoing NVC meetings). Also, I am very grateful for the childcare without which I could not have attended the workshop. Thank you!”
“The examples and exercises gave good opportunities to practice the skills she described and let participants see how it felt for them. I hope to use this material to improve my own understanding and relationships with friends and family and in my counseling practice with couples and families I work with.”
“The workshop provided a foundation for deeply analyzing my interpersonal skills and relationships...I think it will help me be a better person.”
“I will put more attention into how I communicate with my husband, in my work, and with other people being kind.”
“Having the breakout exercises was very valuable to be able to open up to others. This will be very valuable before getting into situations where the other person could be in crisis.”
“My takeaway is that these are very powerful ways to communicate and listen, which may be useful in some situations and not in others, depending upon the goals and vulnerability of both people talking. The packet we received was also super helpful in that I can continue to absorb the information at my pace.”
“This session was excellent in developing the art of listening with an empathetic ear. It is too easy to jump in with suggestions. In the exercises, we also had the opportunity to express things in our life that cause pain without receiving judgmental feedback.”
“There are people in our congregation, families, community, and world who need the compassion of an empathetic/sympathetic person. Be there!”
Several workshop participants expressed interest in participating in additional practice sessions. These sessions have already begun, and more are being planned, with continuing support from Leslie. These sessions are open to anybody; those who are interested in participating can contact Ryan Larsen at rye109@gmail.com or (765) 791-8895.
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