Nirvana Now!, formally the African American Women’s Coalition, is a grass roots organization that was founded in 1989. At the time of inception, the primary purpose of the organization was to conduct crucial research on the African American woman’s experiences with in**st and child s*xual abuse. While engaged in this research, it became obvious that work in the areas of exposing the prevalence, consequences, and prevention strategies were direly needed. The name of the organization was changed in 1999 to reflect the inner struggle of African American women survivors and the consistent message received from individuals that inner peace was elusive in their lives. It is the organizations belief that until African American in**st and child s*xual abuse survivors begin and complete the journey toward "Nirvana" neither they, nor the African Americancommunity can be healthy. expanded the breath of services offered by the organization to included facilitation of survivor Discussion Circles for women of all backgrounds, publication of articles, training of professionals and caregivers, and a speaker’s bureau. Additionally, Nirvana Now!'s founder, CeCe Norwood, is a certified trainer for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program where she trains parents, caregivers, daycare providers, teachers and professionals on a variety of child welfare issues associated with child abuse and neglect. Other organizations have benefit from child welfare theme trainings as well as professional development learning opportunities. About the Founder:
CeCe Norwood is a featured national speaker on in**st and child s*xual
abuse issues, recognized workshop trainer, life coach, author of many
articles and her recent book There IS Happiness After In**st And Child
Sexual Abuse. She is a certified trainer for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program
where she trains caregivers and professionals on a variety of child welfare
issues. She also provides professional development learning opportunities
for educators, social workers, and businesses. Norwood is an education surrogate parent and guardian ad litem. She
received the Lucas County Court Appointed Special Advocate 2008 Rising
Star Award which recognizes CASAs with up to two years of volunteer
service for their contribution to the lives of abused and neglected children. In 2011 she was recognized by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for her community service work in Toledo and surrounding areas. Norwood is the founder of Nirvana Now!, an organization dedicated to
the eradication of all forms of s*xual violence, facilitates survivor SPEAK
OUTs!, provides consultation to organizations interested in developing child welfare educational opportunities and understanding best practices in working with in**st, child s*xual abuse, and r**e survivors, publishes
articles, and maintains a speaker’s bureau. Norwood is the past Interim Executive Director for the
Ohio Alliance To End Sexual Violence (OAESV), former President of
OAESV Board, and is a founding member of the Sexual Abuse Prevention
Awareness Treatment Healing Coalition (SA PATH) of Northwest Ohio. The
mission of both organizations is to work toward eliminating child s*xual
abuse, all forms of s*xual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of survivors and co-survivors. Norwood is dedicated to assisting survivors of in**st and child s*xual
abuse receive the assistance they need to claim the happiness they deserve in their lives. She is equally dedicated to assisting parents, and caregivers develop the skill level necessary to parent abused and neglected children involved with the child welfare system. Norwood is excited about working with professionals to assist them develop the understanding and skill sets necessary to work with families, adults and children who have multiple needs and who may be of a different racial, cultural group or socioeconomic status.
