LORI TERESA YEARWOOD
TRAUMA-INFORMED JOURNALIST & SPEAKER
LORI TERESA YEARWOOD
TRAUMA-INFORMED JOURNALIST
& SPEAKER
Testimonials
“Honestly, I was stunned by Lori Yearwood’s presentation, and by the realization — never more palpable for me — that the “collapse” of circumstances she experienced could happen to any of us. As devastating as her account of the long period of exile from normalcy was, the ways she lifted herself back into life, into work, into teaching, and into listening to the testimony of others is what I’ll remember even more powerfully than the tale of her time in hell, though I’m unlikely to forget that either. I don’t yet know how watching and hearing this superb program will impact my relations with others, person to person, but I am certain that I’ve been changed.”
— VH event survey participant
“As a retired trauma therapist working with adult victims of sexual assault in childhood, this topic was not new to me. But I found the talk very moving and illuminating. The way the speaker structured her talk, telling about her own experience and then giving thoughtful information on how to interact with the unsheltered was very effective and also touched my heart. The only thing I did not like was that time ran out. Thank you for having this very important but not talked about topic.”
— VH event survey participant
“Hi Lori,
I was so grateful for your thoughtful presentation tonight, and the way you answered participants’ questions. You truly helped put the power back in their hands as they prepare to share their stories and connect them with their own advocacy goals.
In addition to your engaging discussion with participants, I learned a lot from you in both presentations. I took a lot of notes! Thank you again, and I really value your time & expertise.“
Jessica Merrill
Communications Manager
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
“Dear Lori,
Thank you again for speaking at the Network’s conference last week! You were AMAZING. We heard nothing but positive feedback all day! Your words and delivery truly moved people and made a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Several attendees that heard you speak, asked if we recorded it so that they could share with all of their staff! We’re so grateful.”
Maclain Berhaupt
Interim Executive Director
Supportive Housing Network of NY
“Lori was the Keynote speaker for our event and gave a spellbinding account of her journey from homelessness to healing. She painted a clear picture of how trauma affects those living without the safety and security of a home. … Lori’s presentation ended with a standing ovation.”
Eleanor Ashton
Homeward Bound of WNC
“Lori’s work is incredibly important. She combines her expertise as a brilliant, dedicated journalist and her own lived experience of trauma and homelessness to tell the stories of people experiencing social injustice in a way that highlights both their individual uniqueness and agency and the systemic and structural conditions that cause trauma for so many people. Working with Lori to prepare for the panel event that we organized together was a delight, and a learning experience, as we got to know each other and came to a shared understanding of what would work best. Lori’s presentation was powerful, our conversation afterwards flowed naturally, and she responded to Q & A from the audience with grace. I look forward to working with her again in the future!”
Annie Harper, PhD
Program for Recovery and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine
“Lori Teresa Yearwood is an outstanding journalist! Her presentation with us as a Yale Poynter Fellow in Journalism illuminated the importance of our paying attention to the impact and manifestations of trauma in the lives of everyday people, in journalistic stories, in social policy, and in community well-being. We learned and are continuing to learn from her.
Thanks for Everything, Lori!
Kyle”
Kyle Pedersen,
Director
Connecticut Mental Health Center Foundation