James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, I have deeds.”
“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Lighthouse Beacon Church Beacon Institute was founded by Chaplain Sharon Schlerf in January 2001, (MD), then relocated to Virginia in 2008. As her first mission began at Fort Eustis, VA, she provided US Army Chaplains trauma care skills known as ‘PFA’ “psychological first aid” for debriefing ‘Return from War’ combat members and assisted with programs support for military youth too.
PFA is an evidence-based best practices mental health program, pioneered by Dr George Everly & Dr Jeff Mitchell, founders of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Chaplain Schlerf has a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and was a 9/11 Responder for both the Pentagon and Pennsylvania events. She has been a members of ICISF since 2002, and holds a Master’s Degree in ‘CISM’.
Leading as Founder, President & Trustee for Lighthouse Beacon Church Beacon Institute Foundation President & Trustee. Based in Williamsburg VA, serving service members, veterans and families (SMVF) nationwide, then Law Enforcement & First Responders (LEFR) beginning January 5, 2020.
What is Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)?
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents. CISM is a process that enables peers to help their peers understand problems that might occur after an event. This process also helps people prepare to continue to perform their services or in some cases return to a normal lifestyle.
In addition, Chaplain Schlerf is certified for Pastoral Crisis Intervention, Disaster & Terrorism Responder, and Disaster Response Logistics Management.
Lighthouse Beacon Church Beacon Institute has never been a ‘church – worship sanctuary, it is a 501(c) 3 inter-denominational faith-based organization, and dba Beacon Institute from 2002-2013.
Michael W Newcomb, US Army Veteran, Certified Peer Services Specialist (CPSS) founder of Pathways of Hope & Healing (VA) joined Sharon’s via merger in January 2013, dba Beacon Institute: Veteran Pathways Home. He is the Vice-President of Lighthouse Beacon Church Beacon Institute Foundation.
January 5, 2020 they moved their operations to open the Warrior Way Wellness Center, at 469 McLaws Circle, Williamsburg VA 23185. Providing holistic health services ‘Body, Soul, Spirit‘ based on US Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), VA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Office of Recovery Services) Peer Workforce Development training and on-site Peer-to-Peer Support Services. Sharon has been technical advisor and faculty member for US DHHS SAMHSA Faith-Based and Community Organizations (FBCO) nationwide military services. Michael has been employed by both the State of Virginia and the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center, in Richmond, VA until 2018.
Our “Courage to Change” Peer Workforce Training & Peer Support Specialist Services and programs are a para-professional careers, implementing behavioral health care, wellness and resiliency in the civilian community, in Corporate & Business Human Resources, Hospitals, Mental Health Community Services & Agencies, Jails/Prisons, and Academic Institutions. They are also suitable for government, corporate and small business applications for workforce development , and employmentalso for active-duty transitioning Service Members, Veterans, Families (SMVF), Law Enforcement & First Responders (LEFR) priority , but generously welcome all people to our join or receive services as members of our mission.
Hope & Healing Happens Here
“How can we help you?”
No one ever gets turned away —
469 McLaws Circle Williamsburg, VA 23185 Tel: 804-384-9325 Fax: 804-201-4816
https://veteranpathwayshome.org