It’s Great to Meet You!
Rev. Dr. Colette Gaffney, BCC
ACPE Certified Educator (National Faculty)
Sunflowers are used by farmers to restore depleted soil. In the summer of 2015 Colette was on their daily commute as a chaplain resident. Depressed, depleted, traumatized by the death of their brother Colette spoke truth in prayer, "I can't keep going like this or I'm going to kill myself." Gently the clouds moved away from the sun and for the first time Colette realized they had been driving through a field of sunflowers every day for weeks and could not see the beauty around them. In that moment Colette called their doctor for anti-depressants and sought therapy; realizing that PTSD wasn't going to just go away.
This moment sent them on a trajectory toward a spiritual care practice rooted in mental AND spiritual health. Learn more about Colette’s professional qualifications on LinkedIn.
Sunflower now stands poised to educate spiritual caregivers in the art of interfaith spiritual care and spiritually-minded professionals in the necessary relational skills needed in community care.
Our Mission: Sunflower Spiritual Care and Education Center provides trauma-aware, experiential, process education in a group setting to spiritually informed relationally-oriented leaders, fostering non-violent practices rooted in mutual aid and community support.
Our Vision: We envision communities where spiritual care & education is a birthright—universally accessible, trauma-aware, and sustained through networks of mutual aid and justice that foster collective liberation and flourishing.
Our Values: Imaginative Curiosity - Accessibility - Non-violence - Empowerment - Creativity & Innovation
Rev. Dr. Page Brooks
ACPE Certified Educator Candidate
Page Brooks is originally from Montgomery, AL, but has lived in the New Orleans for most of his life. He came to New Orleans to attend graduate school and seminary but fell in love with the city and stayed. He has served as a National Guard chaplain for 23 years, as well as in other chaplaincy ministries, and an inner-city pastor. He loves connecting with people and providing spiritual care. Being born in Montgomery, but raised for several years in Selma, AL, influenced Page's passion for reconciliation work and ministry. After teaching in the area of theology and ethics at a seminary for several years, and completing his clinical pastoral education, Page decided to pursue his CEC certification. He is married to Ashley and they have three adopted, multi-racial children. In his spare time (whenever he has it!), Page enjoys reading, music, and hiking.
Meet Our Board
Working with such talented, experienced people is a staggering weight and humbling joy.
