Unshackled: Breaking Free from Child Abuse and Neglect with Joe Potosi

Saturday, August 15, 10:00 - 11:30 am CT
Shalom Spirituality Center

Beginning in 2022, August 15th of each year has been designated as World Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Day. One of the many results of lockdowns during Covid, when kids did not have regular access to public attention through schools or activities outside the home, was to shine a light on weaknesses in the prevention and reporting of possible child abuse. This day helps to address that problem. It should be observed as a day of reckoning, of life-changing, and life-saving testimonies of survivors, rescuers, advocates, mandatory reporters, and all others who help children avoid or escape abuse and neglect.

Come to hear Joe Potosi share stories about his difficult childhood and how he turned his life around. Copies of his books will be available for purchase. Also, a representative from NAMI Dubuque (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be present to talk about the many services which they offer to help with child abuse, neglect, and other issues.

Joe Potosi, Midwestern author and childhood abuse-survivor, published a 2017 book called, When the Dust Settled. This book is a candid account of how Potosi and his siblings struggled with abuse, neglect and poverty. Ultimately, it is a story of hope and forgiveness. In 2025, Potosi published an updated story of his journey, Unshackled: A Story of Redemption and Renewal. Following up upon a traumatic childhood, years of self-destructive choices, and numbing the pain through alcohol, God’s grace and the support of many loved ones brought Potosi to a place of healing and second chances. His journey proves that healing is possible and generational cycles can be broken. Unshackled reminds readers everywhere that your condition does not have to be your conclusion.

Joe Potosi resides in the Midwest with his wife and two sons. He has taken an active role in the lives of his children and is an Ordained Minister and is the Chaplain for the Dubuque Miners football team. He does outreach to college students, impacting young people from around the world, and also works with the Dubuque Kiwanis. His passion is to be a role model and mentor to young adults, teaching them that faith, determination, and hard work can overcome any obstacle in life. With a humble heart, he invites others to go on this journey with him. 

A free-will donation is appreciated. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are encouraged; please RSVP online at shalomretreats.org or by calling 563.582.3592 by Friday, August 14.