| ::2006 All Rights Reserved Life Source Consultants Inc.: |
Gloria J. Johnson, Ph.D.
Biographical Sketch
As a teenager and young adult, Dr. Gloria J. Johnson found herself
trying to find answers to help her friends, cousins, and others who had
problems. In 1985 she began to hold workshops and seminars for
African American women in the Christian community who were hurting
inside. As a result of good attendance at these workshops, in 1987 she
started a weekly support group using a room in a local neighborhood
church. Thinking she would be dealing with only Christian women, she
says, “she was in for a rude awakening.” Women of all races, religious
and non-religious backgrounds began showing up for her group
sessions. It was in these groups she began to discover that some of
these women were victims of rape and incest, some were being abused
physically, others emotionally and verbally. Some were in drug and
alcohol recovery programs of the abuse. After starting several other
groups and earning a Ph.D. degree in Marriage and Family Counseling,
she realized she needed to reach out more. It was then that a dream
she had carried in her heart from her younger years began to emerge.
In January 1994 she founded the first African American domestic
violence and sexual assault organization in the State of Missouri and
began to effect a positive change in the area of domestic violence and
sexual assault. She started in her basement by offering telephone crisis
intervention services and action planning sessions for abused women.
She continued to use the facilities of the same local neighborhood
church for a weekly support and office space in the building of another
local church was donated until they moved into a permanent facility.
Before she started her organization, there were no support services for
domestic violence victims in North St. Louis City or County. By the end of
the first year (with one volunteer) over 300 women had received services
of crisis intervention and action planning sessions, and/or participated in
support groups, workshops or seminars. She also published their first
newsletter and distributed over 400 copies.
When Dr. Johnson started Life Source in 1994 she had no idea exactly
how she was going to help women who were hurting because of abuse.
All she knew was that she had dissolved a Christian ministry to start this
organization so she could reach women within as well as outside of the
Christian community. She had no office and no money, but she had a
dream. And that dream was to make it possible for abused women to
never have to feel alone again believing no one cares or understands
what she is going through. She wanted them to know that someone did
care about them and was reaching out to them. Dr. Johnson is motivated
by a deep love and commitment to see “hurting” women find hope,
healing and peace in the midst of their crisis.
For the first three years, Dr. Johnson worked tirelessly without a salary
(but with a spirit of excellence) with a priority to make it possible for
abused women to find peace, hope and safety in the midst of their crisis.
Even though she is getting a salary now and is the Executive Director,
every woman who comes in the office is greeted by her if she is in. And
no matter what she is doing, if a client needs to talk with her or just
needs consolation, she stops and takes time to be there for them.
Abused women leave her presence believing their lives can be put back
together again.
Many battered women experience difficulties accessing resources due to
specific cultural or language barriers. In a partnership with The Human
Development Corporation, Life Source opened a second office in St.
Louis City. Opening this office reduces barriers for victims who have
special needs or who because of transportation problems cannot access
services at the North County office. This office is named in honor of a 21-
year old woman who lost her life because of physical abuse by her
boyfriend.
Life Source Consultants was selected as one of five winners of the Focus
St. Louis 2001 “What’s Right With The Region” in the category of
“Promoting Stronger Communities!” in June 2001. This event saluted
success stories highlighting 25 individuals, initiatives, and organizations
from five categories making a difference in the community of St. Louis.
Dr. Johnson received a Master’s in Biblical Counseling and a Ph.D. in
Marriage and Family Counseling from Biblical Life College and
Seminary. In November 2002, she received the “Woman of Worth”
award from the Older Women’s League Gateway Chapter for her
development of specialized domestic violence programs for African
American women and women over age 50 and a Certificate of
Recognition for Outstanding Community Leadership in 2004 and 2005
from the St. Louis North County CARES Program. Dr. Johnson served
on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic
Violence 1996-1999 and the Missouri Coalition Against Sexual Assault
2000-2005. She was appointed to and served on the St. Louis County
Domestic Violence Council 1996-1999 and past Chair of the Missouri
Coalition Against Domestic Violence Women of Color Task Force. She is
listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in
America and Who’s Who in the World. Dr. Johnson is also a Member of
the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
.
Dr. Johnson has found the courage and faith to imagine what she could
do if she worked at it. She dared to dream that she could fill the needs
of abused women and offer them hope. She has made it possible for
abused girls and women to receive the resources, opportunities and
courage to change their lives for the better. She is not afraid to offer
hope to others. Because of her dream, specialized programs, outreach
and prevention services are now readily available for African American
women, women in recovery from drugs and alcohol, women over age 50,
women who are mentally challenged and teen girls.
A single word that best describes Dr. Gloria Johnson is – LOVE.
Biographical Sketch
As a teenager and young adult, Dr. Gloria J. Johnson found herself
trying to find answers to help her friends, cousins, and others who had
problems. In 1985 she began to hold workshops and seminars for
African American women in the Christian community who were hurting
inside. As a result of good attendance at these workshops, in 1987 she
started a weekly support group using a room in a local neighborhood
church. Thinking she would be dealing with only Christian women, she
says, “she was in for a rude awakening.” Women of all races, religious
and non-religious backgrounds began showing up for her group
sessions. It was in these groups she began to discover that some of
these women were victims of rape and incest, some were being abused
physically, others emotionally and verbally. Some were in drug and
alcohol recovery programs of the abuse. After starting several other
groups and earning a Ph.D. degree in Marriage and Family Counseling,
she realized she needed to reach out more. It was then that a dream
she had carried in her heart from her younger years began to emerge.
In January 1994 she founded the first African American domestic
violence and sexual assault organization in the State of Missouri and
began to effect a positive change in the area of domestic violence and
sexual assault. She started in her basement by offering telephone crisis
intervention services and action planning sessions for abused women.
She continued to use the facilities of the same local neighborhood
church for a weekly support and office space in the building of another
local church was donated until they moved into a permanent facility.
Before she started her organization, there were no support services for
domestic violence victims in North St. Louis City or County. By the end of
the first year (with one volunteer) over 300 women had received services
of crisis intervention and action planning sessions, and/or participated in
support groups, workshops or seminars. She also published their first
newsletter and distributed over 400 copies.
When Dr. Johnson started Life Source in 1994 she had no idea exactly
how she was going to help women who were hurting because of abuse.
All she knew was that she had dissolved a Christian ministry to start this
organization so she could reach women within as well as outside of the
Christian community. She had no office and no money, but she had a
dream. And that dream was to make it possible for abused women to
never have to feel alone again believing no one cares or understands
what she is going through. She wanted them to know that someone did
care about them and was reaching out to them. Dr. Johnson is motivated
by a deep love and commitment to see “hurting” women find hope,
healing and peace in the midst of their crisis.
For the first three years, Dr. Johnson worked tirelessly without a salary
(but with a spirit of excellence) with a priority to make it possible for
abused women to find peace, hope and safety in the midst of their crisis.
Even though she is getting a salary now and is the Executive Director,
every woman who comes in the office is greeted by her if she is in. And
no matter what she is doing, if a client needs to talk with her or just
needs consolation, she stops and takes time to be there for them.
Abused women leave her presence believing their lives can be put back
together again.
Many battered women experience difficulties accessing resources due to
specific cultural or language barriers. In a partnership with The Human
Development Corporation, Life Source opened a second office in St.
Louis City. Opening this office reduces barriers for victims who have
special needs or who because of transportation problems cannot access
services at the North County office. This office is named in honor of a 21-
year old woman who lost her life because of physical abuse by her
boyfriend.
Life Source Consultants was selected as one of five winners of the Focus
St. Louis 2001 “What’s Right With The Region” in the category of
“Promoting Stronger Communities!” in June 2001. This event saluted
success stories highlighting 25 individuals, initiatives, and organizations
from five categories making a difference in the community of St. Louis.
Dr. Johnson received a Master’s in Biblical Counseling and a Ph.D. in
Marriage and Family Counseling from Biblical Life College and
Seminary. In November 2002, she received the “Woman of Worth”
award from the Older Women’s League Gateway Chapter for her
development of specialized domestic violence programs for African
American women and women over age 50 and a Certificate of
Recognition for Outstanding Community Leadership in 2004 and 2005
from the St. Louis North County CARES Program. Dr. Johnson served
on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic
Violence 1996-1999 and the Missouri Coalition Against Sexual Assault
2000-2005. She was appointed to and served on the St. Louis County
Domestic Violence Council 1996-1999 and past Chair of the Missouri
Coalition Against Domestic Violence Women of Color Task Force. She is
listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in
America and Who’s Who in the World. Dr. Johnson is also a Member of
the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
.
Dr. Johnson has found the courage and faith to imagine what she could
do if she worked at it. She dared to dream that she could fill the needs
of abused women and offer them hope. She has made it possible for
abused girls and women to receive the resources, opportunities and
courage to change their lives for the better. She is not afraid to offer
hope to others. Because of her dream, specialized programs, outreach
and prevention services are now readily available for African American
women, women in recovery from drugs and alcohol, women over age 50,
women who are mentally challenged and teen girls.
A single word that best describes Dr. Gloria Johnson is – LOVE.
| ::Dr. Gloria Johnson Ph.D:: |
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| ::Life Source Consultants Inc:: |