Coffee Klatch at the Beacon bringing peace to Hurricane Ian weary islanders

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Retired nurse Mary Lewis Sheehan and Beacon Director Nurse Practitioner Nancy Buthman find themselves very encouraged by the work being done at the casual social Coffee Klatch meetings they facilitate each Friday morning at the Beacon of Hope, which began the first week of February

“I’m impressed with what we’re seeing in terms of release in people week after week,” Sheehan said

The changes in people are due to the realization that they are not alone in the many ways they were all affected by Hurricane Ian, she said, making changes on the inside and making decisions that reflect their new growth Buthman added that dealing with the results of Hurricane Ian in a positive way has been a fundamental positive step forward for the group, the number of which varies week to week

“Some people come one week and get some help and other people may have to go for two months,” Buthman said

Both women stress that the Coffee Klatch is there for