Jen Johnson and Dr. L. Kyle Horton are the founders of the Invisible Wounds of War project. Jen Johnson, MS, MFA, LPC is a writer, photographer, and mindfulness teacher and counselor. Dr. Horton is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and former Primary Care Provider at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond.
The project explores the psychological, spiritual, and moral injuries of war through mindfulness and writing workshops, lectures, book readings, plus self-portrait photography sessions with veterans. The opening reception for the exhibit of the work accomplished this year is on Thursday, November 5 at Randall Library, UNCW from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
After the exhibit opens, additional events are scheduled this month:
A free Mindfulness Workshop on Saturday, November 7 for Veterans and their partners. UNCW Education Building at 10:00 am-11:30 am.
Author Kirsten Holmstedt will read from her forthcoming book, Soul Survivors: Stories of Wounded Women Warriars and the Battles They Fight Long After They've Left the War Zone on Friday, November 13, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm at the Azalea Coast Room in the Fisher Student Union at UNCW. Free.
On Tuesday, November 17, Jen Johnson presents the lecture Healing the Invisible Wounds of War with Mindfulness, Writing and Photography. Johnson will speak about the project. Also, Marion Gittings, MSW, LCSW will present Holding Hope: Suicide Prevention as a Community and Public Health Concern. Gittings is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Wilmington VA. This free program runs 6:30 pm-8:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room in McNeill Hall, UNCW.
The film Ground Operations, exploring stories of combat men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their struggles to return to civilian life through farming. Friday, November 20, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room in McNeill Hall, UNCW. Free.
The Invisible Wounds of War Project is able to provide these free events for the community through support from the North Carolina Humanities Council and other sponsors.
