Witness and Wisdom is an online program offered by Awake for those who work directly with abuse survivors on behalf of a Catholic diocese or religious order, as victim/survivor assistance coordinators or in similar roles. These gatherings are a powerful opportunity to listen to and learn from the essential expertise of survivors.

These gatherings take place on Zoom on the first Wednesday of every other month, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm Central Time (2:00pm–3:30pm Eastern, 12:00pm–1:30pm Mountain, 11:00am–12:30pm Pacific). Dates for 2025 are: August 6, October 1, and December 3, 2025.

The first hour of each gathering features a different guest of honor: a survivor who shares their story, answers questions, and offers their reflections on how dioceses and religious orders can better serve those who have been wounded by sexual abuse by a Catholic leader. The final 30 minutes is an optional discussion time, allowing participants to talk about what they heard and how they might apply it in their work.

If you are interested in participating, please contact executive director Sara Larson at saralarson@awakecommunity.org.