Each of us carries a story, a purpose, and a passion for helping others heal. Together, we are the heart behind the We Understand You Weekend Retreat Summit.

Kim Lyons - Co-Pastor of In Faith Ministries International

Founder, Kim Lyons Ministries (KLM) and In Faith Ministries both located in Lima, OH

Known affectionately as “Mama Kim,” she is a devoted wife, mother, nana, pastor, preacher, teacher, conference speaker, and author whose life is committed to advancing the Kingdom of God.

Through Kim Lyons Ministries, her vision is to evangelize, restore, and empower people from every walk of life through the Word of God, reaching beyond racial, denominational, and economic barriers. Her heart’s desire is simple yet powerful: to make a lasting difference in the lives of others for God’s glory.

For more than 20 years, Kim’s passion for Christ has opened doors for her to preach and minister across the country, as well as share the Gospel through Christian television and radio. Her dynamic ministry style and signature “Keeping It Real” approach have helped bring healing, freedom, and transformation to many through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Kim is also the author of three inspiring books: 21 Days of Prayer Impact, born out of the prayer ministry she established; Jesus Is for You; and Nana’s Inspirations for Little People, inspired by her deep love for her grandchildren.

She is the proud wife of her best friend and loving husband, Pastor Michael, and the grateful mother of four beautiful children and nine cherished grandchildren.

Shelly Moorman - Speaker, Coach, Author, Safety Advocate, and Purpose-Driven Protector

Jeremiah Fulmer - Certified Adolescent and Family Support Specialist - Supervisor and Certified Trauma Care Practitioner

Dustin Cover and Camille Freking-Cover

Paula Wiese - Certified Trauma Care Practitioner, Adolescent and Family Support Specialist, and Supervisor

Gabby Hull - CTSS

Kristina Martin - Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Abigail Akyeampong FNP-C

Dynerica Dennard

Shelly Moorman is dedicated to helping individuals navigate the aftermath of trauma by moving from survival to purposeful living. With a background in safety awareness and outdoor resilience, Shelly teaches that true healing is found in reclaiming one’s voice, establishing firm boundaries, and rediscovering personal worth.

Shelly is the author of two distinct guides for the journey:

Don’t Be at Target: A practical manual for safety awareness, utilizing the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) to help readers identify red flags and become Purpose-Driven protectors of their own lives.

God’s Not Complicated: A faith-based companion focused on the simplicity of building a genuine,lasting relationship with God.

Through a Purpose-Driven Protector framework, Shelly empowers others to stop scanning for danger and start seeking the green flagsof a healthy, safe, and fulfilling life.

Founder, Growing Unstuck LLC

A trauma-informed mental and emotional wellness coach who helps adolescents and parents move from emotional overwhelm and relational distance into clarity, confidence, and connection. As a survivor of childhood trauma, addiction, depression, and suicide loss, he brings a rare blend of lived experience, compassion, and well-educated, neuroscience-based insight to every space he facilitates. Jeremiah is dedicated to helping families heal the roots of their pain so they can build emotionally safe communication, deeper connection in their relationships, and greater confidence within themselves.

Founder, Renewed Hope Coaching

Laura Sanford is a Relationship, Life, and Master Financial Coach and the founder of Renewed Hope Coaching, based in Celina, Ohio. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples experience lasting transformation through practical guidance and faith-based encouragement. Laura is a devoted follower of Jesus, a wife of 18 years, and the mother of three children. She and her husband, Tom, serve together as life coaches, using their complementary strengths to support others in building stronger relationships, healthier finances, and more purposeful lives. In addition to coaching, Laura works full-time in a career centered on serving and helping others. Renewed Hope Coaching exists to empower teens, adults, and couples with hope, healing, and sustained breakthroughs in their financial, emotional, spiritual, and personal lives.

Founder The Sibling Coach

With over thirty years of experience in Special Education, Paula combines her professional expertise with personal insight as a sibling of a brother with disabilities. She is dedicated to supporting siblings of children with disabilities and their families, specializing in trauma-informed care to help them heal and build resilience. Paula is a sought-after speaker, leading workshops and community groups to share practical strategies and recovery pathways for siblings facing unique challenges.

Founder, Stepping Stones Recreational Therapy Services, LLC

Kristina is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) of 17 years. The journey to become a recreational therapist initially began by accident. Today, Kristina shares that her vocation to educate and empower individuals on the importance of leisure time is only the beginning. Her passion to serve others began at a young age and matured in to promoting overall wellness. Her purpose is to serve individuals seeking behavioral health support and advocating recreational pursuits as far more important than “just having fun.” Kristina is the founder of Stepping Stones Recreational Therapy Services, LLC which provides individual and group recreational therapy services to clients of all ages.

Woman Of God, Evangelist, Palmist, Prayer Warrior, worshipper, Giver, Loves God first, her family, loves to travel & vacation! As a Career she has an Associates in Medical Assisting where she works as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA, with A Bachelor’s In Business Healthcare Administration, And a diploma in Medical Billing & Coding! Dynerica is Know As The Jesus Girl because God Is always first her life!!

Patricia has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for over six years and am proud to call Lima home. When I'm not working with clients, you'll likely find me enjoying the outdoors and spending time in nature.

As a trauma survivor, I understand firsthand the challenges of navigating the healing journey. Throughout my own recovery, I have continually sought out effective, evidence-informed approaches to managing PTSD, building resilience, and supporting nervous system regulation. Those experiences have deepened both my personal understanding and professional passion for helping others.

I am honored to have the opportunity to share the tools, insights, and practices that have supported my own healing, and I am passionate about helping fellow survivors discover pathways toward hope, empowerment, and lasting transformation.

Founder Soldiers of Honor

Veronica McLaurine is a gifted speaker, worship leader, and community leader with a heart for youth and families. She is a devoted wife and mother of three children—two daughters and one son. Minister Veronica serves as a radio host on WTGN, where she hosts WTGN’s Afternoon Praise, sharing the message of hope and faith with the community. She servers as an assistant coach, mentor, and administrator.

Aaron M. McLaurine is a member of the Lima Rotary Club, and a board member of the Allen County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services, an Associate Pastor at In Faith Ministries, and the Co-Founder/ Director /Coach of Soldiers of Honor whose “mission is to encourage the discouraged mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually through the disciple of boxing.”

Aaron opened New Look Fitness Center in 2000 and became a Chaplain with Marketplace Chaplains, USA in 2010. The individuals whom Aaron has impacted include those with special needs, medical diagnosis such as Parkinson’s Disease and at-risk youth. He said, “I feel that I have given individuals hope. I strive to be the best example to these individuals to never give up, face your fears, and always pursue your dreams.”

Together, Veronica and Aaron, a retired professionally ranked boxer, co-founded Soldiers of Honor Boxing, a nonprofit organization in downtown Lima dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth from broken homes. The program offers boxing boot camps that use boxing techniques and training to instill discipline, focus, and self-control.

Aaron & Veronica McLaurine

Founder and Co-Founder of Healing Strings Music Therapy

“To heal the soul through music and community.” To keep it short and sweet, we use music and community as a form of recreational therapy for mental, emotional, and even spiritual healing.

Dustin went into the US Marines in 2011, and served as a rifleman in a ship to shore raid specialty unit during two combat tours within the Pacific Ocean and Middle East. While deployed, Dustin was injured, yet chose to continue. As a result, he now endures physical and mental challenges that are fought daily.

Healing Strings was created by Dustin to help him in recovery. Music soothes the soul and calms the mind.

Patricia Guice - Licensed Massage Therapist

Founder, MannaCare Health and Wellness and MannaMental Addiction and Recovery Clinic

Abigail is an accomplished clinician, healthcare entrepreneur, and founder of multiple Ohio-based wellness and behavior health organizations. Known for her dynamic leadership and holistic approach to patient care, Abigail integrates medical, mental health, community outreach services to expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen families. She continues to drive innovative programs that support addiction recovery, men's health, women's wellness, youth empowerment and sustainable community development.

Laura Sanford - Relationship, Life, and Master Financial Coach

Founder, Sheathed

As a child, Gabby wrestled with grasps of poverty, unimaginable abuse, neglect, and drug addiction - which led her into the foster system. As an adult, Gabby has experienced the aftereffects of trauma.

Today, she serves her community by fostering hope, healing, connection, and growth to trauma survivors. Sheathed, Inc, is a 501(c)(3) initative which provides free or reduced expressive art modalities and healthy living activities to those struggling.

Meet Our Speakers & Presenters

Gina Fox - Certified Therapeutic Art Specialist and Certified Neuro Transformative Specialist. Nervous System and Somatic Practitioner - Instructor Level (coming soon)

Before I was a practitioner, I was a survivor.

I know what it feels like to wonder why your brain and body react the way they do. I know what it's like to search for answers, to keep showing up while quietly struggling, and to long for a place where healing made sense.

That's why I created We Understand You.

As a childhood trauma survivor turned educator and trauma-informed creative healing practitioner, Gina is dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their emotions, regulate their nervous systems, and rediscover inner peace through expressive art, somatic practices, and neuroscience-aligned therapeutic frameworks. Her work blends lived experience with advanced training in trauma recovery, nervous system education, and creative expression—allowing her to deliver guidance that is both deeply empathetic and evidence-informed.

Founder, Art of Transformation™ , Creator of ReclaYm Therapeutic Art™ , Creator of Nervous System and Somatic Practitioner™ , and Founder of Rise Up From Trauma: We Understand You.

Meet Our Keynote

Meet Our Founder

Why We Believe Healing Happens in Community

Healing was never meant to happen in isolation.

No single person has every answer, and no single approach works for everyone. That's why we've brought together educators, therapists, medical professionals, coaches, artists, faith leaders, first responders, parents, survivors, and advocates—all united by one purpose: helping people heal.

Each speaker brings a different perspective, a different area of expertise, and a different story. Together, they create something no one person could offer alone.

Because when knowledge, compassion, creativity, and lived experience come together, healing becomes possible.

Different stories. Different expertise. One shared mission: helping people heal.

Our Venue

A sweet, quiet reserved place where we will join together for community, connection, and hope.

Connect

Join us for healing and growth.

Contact

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riseupfromtrauma@gmail.com

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