Workshops

THE UPLIFTING POWER OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
SANDE HART

 In this workshop we will explore the value, impact and essential need to activate the interfaith community to focus on our common values thru service and activities that are unique to each community's needs and that promote understanding and harmony through experiential relationship building. You will leave with actual examples, skills and tools to take back to your community and apply to your unique vision and goals. Sande Hart is the mother of 2 University Students and lives in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is the founder and President of SARAH (Spiritual And Religious Alliance for Hope) a women's interfaith organization (celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary), incoming Chair of the North American Region of the United Religions Initiative and co-chair as Women's "Momentum Manager",  Ambassador to The Parliament of The World's Religions leading a focus group on the landscape of women's interfaith, Board Member of The Religious Diversity Institute and Co-Founder of I Am Jerusalem. 

CONNECTING TO THE MIGHT OF GOD
THROUGH THE BREATH OF LIFE
RENATA SPIRONELLO

Naam Yoga vibrates the Sacred and Divine Word through chants, as well combines the advanced yogic breaths and postures to renew, rebuild and reprogram the entire body, mind and spirit, so we can commute with the One in a state of health and balance! Practical tools will be offered to take home and while together will allow everyone in the room to be United as One and experience the Vastness of the Most High. Renata Spironello's is a Senior Harmonyum Practitioner, Naam Yogi and Universal Kabbalah teacher.  She is admired and respected for her skills in business development and empowering individuals to reach beyond themselves. This optimistic and heartfelt native Brazilian’s commitment to excellence and service to humankind has earned her the respect and recognition of her clients and peers. For the past 10 years, she has been working with the psychotherapeutic application of Divine Spiritual Wisdom to help people from all walks of life with their health, relationships, communication, and careers. Renata shares her perspicacious professional insights as a Naam Yoga Certified Teacher Trainer throughout the year and is a member of both the International Naam Yoga Association, the International Harmonyum Association, and Yoga Alliance. She is deeply committed to contribute to the positive evolution of humankind through her profound and spiritual work with Women and Mothers-to-be through The Kabbalah of Birth and Beyond trainings that she imparts along with other powerful women.  She believes that women are the only Hope for a true and everlasting change of humanity. Renata also teaches Divine Spiritual Wisdom on a regular basis in Mexico, Spain, Germany, and Brazil. When in the United States she makes her home in Los Angeles at Naam Yoga LA Research and Healing Center in Santa Monica.  She has been blessed to study under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, founder of Naam Yoga and father of Harmonyum Healing, and often travels with him as his assistant all over the world.
ARE YOU READY? 
THE WHY AND HOW OF PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY
VICKI MCGUINNESS & FARRAH KHAN

 Vicki McGuinness’ passion for disaster relief work began during a 2006 trip to New Orleans when she assisted with Hurricane Katrina recovery.  After serving for 3 ½ years as a volunteer in the field, in late 2009 she became the Director of Emergency Services at OperationOC, a program of the OC Rescue Mission.  In this role, she oversees a cadre of over 100 volunteers and facilitates a partnership of more than 50 Christian churches, all ready to be activated upon request by the OC Sheriff’s Emergency Management Bureau in a time of disaster.  Vicki encourages personal and organizational preparedness as foundational to being able to assist our community. Vicki also serves as the 2012 Chair of Collaborating Organizations Active in Disaster – OC (COAD-OC), establishing and enhancing partnerships among community-based and governmental organizations leading to coordinated response and recovery efforts during times of disaster. OperationOC received the 2011 Gold Award from the California Emergency Services Assoc. for its role in the COAD collaborative response to the Silverado Canyon mudslides in Dec. 2010. Vicki recently joined a panel of experts in development of the Disaster Volunteer Management Course for CaliforniaVolunteers. At all levels, Vicki’s desire is to maximize the community’s access to resources by creating a bridge between faith- and community-based organizations and governmental agencies.
Farrah N. Khan is an entrepreneur, writer, community organizer and most importantly, mother of two wonderful boys.  She is the Founder of First Drops, and interfaith organization of parents and young children (ages 6-13).  She is a member of the Pakistan Arts Council located at the Pacific Asia Global Village Festival.  She is also a trained member of the Irvine CERT (community emergency response team) within the Irvine Police Department.  She is currently working with SARAH in promoting the Cities of Compassion initiative. Farrah is a graduate of UC Davis in Creative Writing.  Before, becoming passionately involved in community service, she was a Quality Assurance Manager in the Bio-Pharma industry.  She is currently an avid bridge builder for the youth to help establish tolerance and compassion at a young age.  She is a strong believer in community service and works diligently for justice for all people.

TAKING CARE OF THE CAREGIVER/
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
ANNE KANTER-EDWARDS

 Anne is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist. She has worked at the Lakeview Senior Center since 2003 as a Program Specialist and Care Manager. In her capacity, Anne assists seniors and their families and makes home visits to seniors who cannot come to the Senior Center. Anne provides the training and facilitates the training of Irvine’s friendly visiting volunteers, CHAMPIONS (Community Helpers Assisting Mature Persons in Our Neighborhood). Anne has lived or worked in Irvine for over 30 years.  Anne has a passion for working with seniors and a great empathy for the challenges facing someone aging in place and for their families.  

I WISH WE WOULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS:
THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCED FUNERAL PLANNING
NEIL O'CONNOR President and CEO of O’Connor Mortuary

 Neil O’Connor was born into a large Irish Catholic family in 1967 as the youngest of seven children. His parents, Jane and Joseph O’Connor had met through their families, both of which owned funeral homes.  From 1991 through 1993, Neil served in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist.  He was training to become a Navy Seal, but unfortunately sustained an injury and was unable to continue his training. After serving in the Navy, Neil returned to work in the family business, and in 2000 he became the President and CEO of O'Connor Mortuary, carrying on the family tradition of serving the community with high value, dignity, and respect. In 2003, Neil met his wife, Lisa, while on a yoga retreat in Maui. Together, they have one son, Jesse Joseph O'Connor. Neil is involved with numerous local organizations and care providers, including Saddleback Hospital, Mission Hospital, Age Well Senior Services, the San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Niguel Chambers of Commerce, TIP Trauma Intervention Program, and the Interfaith Council of south Orange County Board of Directors. He is passionate about helping the community learn the benefits of pre-planning and the value of meaningful ceremonies, and above all, he strives to continue on the respected family tradition as the President and CEO of O'Connor Mortuary.

FINANCIALLY SURVIVING A STRUGGLING ECONOMY
STEVE BLACKWELL

Steve has been in the financial services industry for over ten years, and currently works at one of the largest wealth management firms in the country.  Steve started as a Financial Advisor in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999 but then relocated to Newport Beach, California in 2003. Steve is a graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. Steve also received his MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University with a concentration in Finance. Steve is active in the Newport Beach community and has volunteered with the Newport Beach chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Orange county, and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Christmas Boat Parade. Steve attends Mariners Church in Irvine where he was recently married at the Chapel.

 UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION 
 SOLARA VAYANIAN

 Solara Vayanian is a Movement and Energy Practitioner and a Trauma Specialist at Harmony Heals Counseling Center in Laguna Hills. Graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Physical Education and Dance, then mentored by Blanche Evan, founder of Dance-Movement-Word Therapy, Solara went on to develop her own system of Movement and Energy Therapy, Kinesio-Emotional Release System. Movement is not only physical, but emotional, mental and spiritual as well. All levels need addressing and healing. This journey took her deep into the studies of psychology, traumatology, human consciousness, contemplative philosophies and psychologies, and the emotional/spiritual connection to disease, dysfunction and trauma. Her own addictions and anxiety disorders, resulting from growing up in an environment of domestic violence, led her to seek the core wounding caused by trauma and how to treat it. She found that she couldn’t escape her addictions without understanding them and their causation first. Knowledge led to transformation and became empowerment.  Kinesio-Emotional Release System is an interwoven combination of Solara’s methodologies to help heal the human heart and spirit.

STRENGTHENING MARRIAGE
TODD & JILL HUISKEN

 Todd and Jill Huisken both grew up in Huntington Beach, California and met on a blind date to Disneyland in 1989.  They soon married and after spending time In Provo, Utah and San Diego for schooling, they settled down in Irvine, California in 1994.  They have been married for 22 years and have three teenage daughters and a son. Todd is the Clinical Director at LDS Family Services, an adoption and counseling agency and Jill is a stay at home Mom who volunteers at school and church.  Together, Todd and Jill focus on their family through weekly family night activities, dinners together and plenty of trips to Disneyland.

iPHONE, iHOME, iPARENT: 
RAISING KIDS IN TODAY'S WORLD
SCOTT MUIR

 I am 52 years old and have lived in California since 1988. I love my family and enjoy spending time with my wife and five kids that range in age from 9 to 27. It is exciting to see their growth and celebrate their achievements as they learn life's lessons. As a young father, I thought it would get easier as our children grew and got older, however, as our children have grown and left the house, it seems that the challenges they face and the associated consequences are magnified. Being a husband and father gives me great satisfaction. The world we live in challenges our children in ways we never considered.  Ours is the great opportunity to raise strong, independent, faith-filled children who will positively influence our community, our nation, and our world. 

DISCOVERING YOUR ROOTS AND BRANCHES
LORI CAMPBELL

 Lori Campbell was born in Idaho to very young parents who moved the family to Southern California when she was little. She spent most of her childhood and young womanhood in the San Gabriel Valley where she became the oldest of five children. When she graduated from high school and left California for Brigham Young University, she wanted to study psychology and writing. Instead, she met her wonderful husband, Andy, and they both returned to California to marry and raise a family. When the family was mostly grown, Lori returned to school and completed an associate’s degree in computer information management which has been a great help in her genealogy work. She has been married for 35 years, has four children and nine grandchildren. She loves doing genealogy and family history which has been a hobby since she was ten. She enjoys sewing, badminton, reading, swimming, road trips with her husband, and playing with her grandchildren. Tatiana Thede will share her experience about helping her son find his ancestors at a family history center. 

POWER OF POSITIVITY
PETER VIDMAR

 Peter Vidmar is the highest scoring American gymnast in Olympic history. The winner of numerous national and international titles, Vidmar finished his successful career at the 1984 Olympic Games. As the USA men's gymnastics team captain, he led his teammates to America's first team gold medal with their stunning upset victory over the defending world champions, the People's Republic of China. He went on to win the silver medal in the individual all around competition (the first American to have won an Olympic All Around medal), and with a perfect score of 10, he captured the gold medal on the pommel horse. Peter Vidmar continues to contribute to the Olympic movement today. He serves as the Co Chairman of the US Olympic Committee Summer Sports Summit, an annual series of workshops designed to prepare America's medal hopefuls to win Gold in future Olympics. Peter has worked for many years as the gymnastics commentator for CBS Sports and ESPN and continues to work as a journalist or broadcaster at each summer Olympics. Vidmar has served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, the Executive Board of the United States Olympic Committee, and the Executive Committee of USA Gymnastics. Peter Vidmar is now a powerful and entertaining speaker at corporate meetings and trade shows. With two decades of experience helping people throughout the country to realize their own potential, Peter does much more than just speak about his experiences. In his inspiring, humorous and entertaining presentations, he also performs portions of his Olympic routine on the pommel horse to drive home his message. Peter Vidmar demonstrates the three components of a perfect score in gymnastics Risk, Originality and Virtuosity (ROV) and discusses how they apply to success in business and in life. His message brings something unique and refreshing to the corporate arena.

SIMPLE GIFTS
MOLLY FINI

 Molly Fini has been catering for over 25 years.  She owns her own catering company and is the ultimate, beginning-to-end event planner for weddings, corporate events and more!  She works to create beautiful events while working with the client's budget! Being raised on a farm and living off the land, Molly's creative skills and culinary talents were developed at a young age.  Of necessity, she learned to cook and bake and create.  "All our gifts were homemade.  You never bought anything at a store to give to someone." Those talents are still her strengths today as everything she prepares for clients is homemade (still from scratch) and beautifully presented.  With the holidays approaching, come and get some fun ideas for delicious, simple, lovely gifts to share with friends and family!

MONEY SAVING MOMMAS
RACHEL PHELPS AND JESSICA LAMBOURNE

 Rachel is a busy mom of four, adorable girls!  She's also a wife to her best friend, Ryan, a daughter to her amazing parents, and a sister to six incredible sisters and one brave brother.  She's blessed with amazing in-laws and loves her 35 (almost 36!) nieces and nephews.  Rachel grew up in Newport Beach, graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Health Education, and served a mission for her church in southern Spain.  Rachel and Ryan have lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Irvine.  As she wrangles her children, takes care of her husband and balances her life, she tries to keep her budget in mind!  She'll share some tip and tricks on pinching pennies in her workshop.


Jessica Lambourne was born in Salt Lake City and raised in Thousand Oaks. She was the middle of five children, and the only girl! She graduated from Agoura High School and attended Brigham Young University where she majored in business, earning both bachelor and master degrees. At BYU, she also met and married her husband, Greg. She worked for BYU in the Human Resources department. She also worked in the Human Resources department at the University of  Notre Dame while her husband completed his law degree. Jessica and her husband then moved home to Southern California, where their son Evan was born. She is a busy homemaker, managing the “family business”. She tries to efficiently and effectively manage the family finances, household chores, and child rearing. Along the way, she has learned many great tips and tricks and loves to share them with her friends. 

TRANSCENDING TRIALS
NANCY DAVIS

 Nancy Davis is an educator, wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister and friend. Nancy is also a cancer-survivor, teen-survivor, marriage survivor, life survivor and happy to be all of the above. The Transcending Trials workshop is designed to discuss how women can handle the big and "little" challenges life throws at all of us gracefully, with an inner sense of peace and whenever possible a sense of humor. 
HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING SKILLS
MARY GRAY PURDUE Chairman of the Family Assistance Ministry (FAM) in San Clemente


Mary grew up in Orange County, California. She is the youngest of 7 and the mother of three young adults. Mary served on staff at a local church for 14 years and  has served in various ministry capacities to include children’s ministry for over 22 years. She worked for HomeWord with Jim Burns, a nonprofit Christian ministry dedicated to equipping parents and churches around the world as they ‘train up’ their children, for 13 years. Mary is the Executive Director for FAM, Family Assistance Ministries a southern Orange County homeless prevention nonprofit serving homeless and the working poor with provisions of food, cash aid and case management helping them to return to self sufficiency.  Also, Gilchrist House, a transitional shelter for homeless women and children. Mary has spoken to parents, moms, youth workers, single parents and at MOPS groups and at churches and   conventions across the country. She has been a guest speaker on national Christian radio broadcasts and her articles on parenting, single parenting, and summertime planning have been published on church, ministry, advice and radio station websites all over the county. 


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