rekenekt

Trish brings dynamic and interactive programs alive to audiences that hunger for truth and relevance. These programs are offered in a wide variety of formats and can cross generational boundaries to speak to audiences ages 8-80.

I am passionate about using the pain of my past to help families find healing and hope by helping others find value, worth, and purpose for their lives. I was reminded through the eyes of lost and hurting children what it felt like to be abused, abandoned, and alone in my own teen years. As I began to work with at-risk teens and their parents, I began to see a common theme emerge. These parents and children were disconnected. Many were not talking honestly about issues in their lives. Some were hiding deep dark secrets causing inner turmoil and preventing them from connecting. Parents blamed kids and kids blamed parents. In the end, no matter who was responsible, the outcome was the same–broken and disconnected relationships between parents and their children

The results of those early years of research developed into a program called rekenekt. The goal is to reach out to hurting teens and their parents and equip them to reconnect their relationships by getting new conversations started.

Reconnecting parents and teens is difficult in this fast paced culture where texting and tweeting has replaced honest communication. An old tin can phone shares the idea that getting a good old fashioned conversation started can go a long way to repairing damaged relationships and reconnecting parents and their children.

I uphold the vision that if parents will reclaim their God-given roles as protectors, providers, and mentors for their children, fewer teens will find themselves in crisis. If we are proactive rather than reactive as parents during this difficult age, we will be able to walk alongside our lost and hurting teens and help guide them through their most challenging years. We can help them survive adolescence and emerge victoriously as productive, positive young adults.

The one thing I consistently hear from hurting teens is that they don’t have anyone in their lives who care. Most of them are wrong. They do have parents who love them but the messages they hear are getting distorted and disconnected by the confusing issues they experience everyday. They feel lost, alone and hopeless. They desperately want to connect with someone who can help them find their way.

The rekenekt Graffiti Wall

The rekenekt graffiti wall is the cornerstone of the rekenekt program. Youth and parents can express themselves freely and anonymously to get new conversations started. The graffiti wall is a profound visual wake-up call and powerful reminder to rekenekt with the people in our lives.

God gave me the vision for the wall about ten years ago. I remember waking up and thinking, “You want me to do what God?”

It seemed too simple, too basic. There is a wall for parents and one for teens and it asks these questions: What do you wish you could tell your mom, dad, son or daughter and what do you wish they would tell you. 

The messages from the wall never cease to blow me away. They are fascinating, heart breaking, and downright frightening. They have become the basis for many of my speaking programs and my newspaper column. The rekenekt wall travels and is available to display at rekenekt events hosted by your group or organization.

rekenekt Speaking

THE WORDS THEY LONG TO HEAR: Messages from the Wall

Abuse. Anger. Shame. Despair. Loneliness. Hopelessness. Fear. Those are words that describe my youth. I grew up in a broken and abusive home living in a volatile world of abuse. I understand first-hand the struggle to survive in a world you don’t understand and the despair that comes from trying to face it alone.

The words I heard in my own childhood and teen years are no different than those of teens today. Our sons and daughters are crying out with desperation to get us to hear the words they long to speak in the hope that we will speak the words they long to hear.

Book Trish to present "The Words They Long to Hear" to your group. The messages from the wall will leave your organization inspired and determined to reconnect across generations. A book by the same title, The Words they Long To Hear: Messages From the Wall is currently being considered for publication.

“This was going to be the end. I was done. I showed my Dad what I wrote on the wall and we talked. Maybe he will listen now.” – 9th grade girl

“If only I had known the things written on this wall, maybe my daughter would still be alive.” – Single Dad

rekenekt The Research Study

rekenekt is in the process of completing a scientific research study of 1000 students and 1000 parents to determine where the major areas of disconnectedness exists multi-generationally. The study polls teens about the issues they face most and how these issues affect their lives. Parents take the same survey and answer how they think their teens will answer. The study shows an ever-widening chasm between what our kids think and feel and what we think they think and feel. Results will be published upon completion of the research study.

“This is important information. I had no idea my teens had issues like this. We've talked-they do. Now I know." Father of teen girls

Empty Your Trash

Another foundational rekenekt program is ‘Empty Your Trash’. There is power to overcome lies, sin, and addiction through confession. Empty your trash allows attendees to receive God’s gift of freedom and forgiveness. I have had the opportunity to speak and minister to hundreds of hurting teens and families as they pour out their guilt and sin, longings and hopes in the rekenekt trash can. At a Confession Bonfire, an opportunity to confess sins to God and lay deep, dark, hidden sins at the foot of the cross and burn them away forever. I have seen healing and restoration and witnessed miracles at the Empty Your Trash Bonfire.

An add on creative art program uses ashes from the bonfire to create a tangible memory of the event.

“I didn't know I could confess my guilt and shame to God. No one ever told me. I feel free for the first time in my life.” – 16 Year-old girl

"I gave up my addictions tonight. I'm not going back. I believe God is big enough to forgive me." – 19 year old drug addict