Tagged With "Community Partner"
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A Florida ACEs Tour
RADICAL GRACE – WHAT I LET GOD SEE AND ACCEPT IN ME ALSO BECOMES WHAT I CAN SEE AND ACCEPT IN MYSELF. AND EVEN MORE, IT BECOMES THAT WHEREBY I SEE EVERYTHING ELSE. ~ RICHARD ROHR For the past three months, I’ve been driving through various parts of Florida witnessing events and gatherings of communities committed to creating safe, loving, trauma informed, and trauma healing spaces. On Friday February 22nd, I was in Tarpon Springs, attending the monthly gathering of Robin Saeger’s...
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ACEs & African Americans Community on ACEs Connection
ACEs Connection envisions a resilient world where ALL people thrive. We are an anti-racist organization committed to the pursuit of social justice. In our work to promote resilience and prevent and mitigate ACEs, we intentionally embrace and uplift people who have historically not had a seat at the table. ACEs Connection celebrates the voices and tells the stories of people who have been barred from decision-making and who have shouldered the burden of systemic and economic oppression as the...
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Author of "Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks" study connects with the Arizona Trauma-Informed Faith Community
I was pleased to be able to connect with my friend and colleague in trauma-informed ministry, Sanghoon Yoo (@thefaithfulcity), a few weeks ago to present insights into how trauma-informed care connects with the heart of the Christian gospel. God is continuing to work through the amazing churches, pastors, ministry leaders, and participants in the Arizona Trauma-Informed Faith Initiative, and it was encouraging to see how many were able to turn out, even on a busy Monday afternoon. We...
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Building community by facing collective trauma with hope
It was a sunny fall afternoon a few years ago. A friend posed a very interesting question as we ate our dinner on the deck at a local restaurant. “What do you think, Chris, about the possibility of a whole group of people experiencing a reaction to trauma? Like, maybe our whole nation is still traumatized from 9-11-01, or Katrina, or maybe just a whole host of cascading traumatic events?” We spoke at some length about what a reaction to trauma would look like in a society at large, and it...
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Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) launches new grassroots initiative to engage and educate Congress
CTIPP (Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice) today announced the launch of the National Trauma Campaign , calling for federal action to prevent and address childhood trauma and build resilience through educating and engaging Congress. Its widely circulated communication invited people from around the country to join the new grassroots initiative. The campaign provides ways for everyone to get involved by joining the effort, becoming a Local Liaison to take the lead in every state...
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Faith and Mental Health: Creating a culture of encounter and friendship
My article “Faith and mental health: Creating a culture of encounter and friendship” has been published in the May issue of Review & Expositor: An International Baptist Journal. Article introduces the Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership which the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition helped launch with the American Psychiatric Association and focuses on how congregations and faith leaders can work with psychiatrists and the mental health community to reduce stigma and...
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Faith Based DVDs for the Hearing Impaired
ACE Overcomers has started a kickstarter campaign to fund DVD's that include American Sign Language interpretation. Combining sound biblical principles and solid science, this 12 lesson trauma-informed curriculum will help you understand and overcome...
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Faith in the Future When ACEs are History
“WHAT ABOUT FAITH-based communities—where are they in your plan?” is a question we have gotten when we describe our ACEs prevention initiative in New Mexico called 100% Community. And, it’s one we are pleased to answer. We are often as ked what role religious organizations have in our work. It is estimated that there are approximately 350,000 religious congregations in the United States, representing a wide range of beliefs. With approximately 350,000,000 people in the country, that’s about...
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Iowa ACEs 360 collaboration with faith-rooted organizations
Iowa ACEs 360 invited Rev. Kirsten Preachy to Des Moines with goal to learn about the development and future plans of the Chicagoland Network, and discuss opportunities in Central Iowa.
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July TiCong Meeting Notes
TiCong Monthly Meeting June 30, 2016 2:30-4:00PM ET View the recorded webinar here: Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1539216596944850436 Welcome and Introductions -- Kimberly Konkel, HHS IEA/Partnership Center Best Practice/Emerging Model: Robin Saenger – Director and Founder of Peace4Tarpon . Robin was the Vice-Mayor of Tarpon Springs, FL when they decided to build a trauma informed community. They have lead the way in this effort, and we are thrilled to have them...
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Kathryn Keller Is an Unorthodox Pioneer in Religious Trauma Therapy [dallasobserver.com]
By Eva Raggio, April 23, 2020 Thanks to Netflix series Unorthodox, religious trauma is a topic that’s fresh on people’s minds, even if we haven't identified the show's takeaway message in that exact term. The drama details a young bride's life and subsequent escape from a deeply orthodox Hasidic community in Brooklyn. The show became a hit in part for its main character’s gripping story arc — based on a true tale — and because of the profound interest in the curiously foreign ways of the...
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Linear draft plan
Here's the draft version of the Trauma-Informed Congregations Community of Practice Linear Plan that Kimberly put together. You obviously can't read this screen-grab image, so open the document (the pdf is below), and add your feedback in the...
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Mass Shootings and ACES. Spiritual Issues Require Spiritual Solutions!
The primary solution to reducing the number of ‘mass shootings‘ and ‘hate crimes’ and ‘gun violence’ that occur in our country is not another policy or law.
The solution lies in getting to and addressing the root issues that are driving people to conduct these horrific crimes.
I believe the emphasis must be placed on prevention and healing at the deepest, personal level…. getting to the root of the problem at hand. By getting to the “heart” of the issue!
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Notes from January 14, 2015 Trauma Informed Congregations Community of Practice conference call
Kimberly Konkel put together the notes from the call and asked me to post: 22 people participated: · Doug Ronshiem -- American Pastoral Counselors...
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Peek Inside a Classroom: Jose
Photo credit Max Klingensmith at flickr . Jose was one of the calmest, quietest, most peaceful boys in the classroom. The kind of boy everybody loves. ...
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Personal stories from witnesses, U.S. representatives provided an emotional wallop to House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on childhood trauma
Room erupts in applause for the grandmother of witness William Kellibrew during July 11 House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing. The power of personal stories from witnesses and committee members fueled the July 11 hearing on childhood trauma in the House Oversight and Reform Committee* throughout the nearly four hours of often emotional and searing testimony and member questions and statements (Click here for 3:47 hour video). The hearing was organized into a two panels—testimony from...
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Religious Engagement Effects on Outcomes of Early Childhood Maltreatment
this is one of the few (and perhaps the first) examination of the possible effects of religious involvement on academic performance and mental health outcomes of maltreated children in the United Kingdom.
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She’s 16 and ‘changing the world’ as leader of Fresno-based Kids on a Mission (fresnobee.com)
Kaitlin Riffel was visiting her father at work – at that time, the Fresno Rescue Mission , a Christian shelter for the homeless and those in need. “I had never seen poverty before. I was 8,” recalls Kaitlin, who is now 16. “I never realized there were people in the world who didn’t have a home or food. I knew there was something I had to do about that.” The work overseas started when Kaitlin, then 13, visited El Salvador and saw people starving and families living in flimsy shelters made of...
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Some 350 Florida Leaders Expected to Attend Think Tank with Dr. Vincent Felitti, Co-Principal Investigator of the ACE Study; Expert on ACEs Science
Leaders from across the Sunshine State will take part in a “Think Tank” in Naples, FL, on Monday, August 6, to help create a more trauma-informed Florida. The estimated 350 attendees will include policy makers and community teams made up of school superintendents, law enforcement officers, judges, hospital administrators, mayors, PTA presidents, child welfare experts, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, philanthropists, university researchers, state agency heads, and...
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Sponsorship Opportunity to Help Community Resilience Initiative
CRI is seeking various levels of sponsors for our Fourth Annual Beyond Paper Tigers conference. We would love if you would consider partnering with us to assist our community's education, best practices, and treatment strategies. Sponsorships will help pay for speakers, meals, supplies, and conference activities. To partner with us at our highest gift level- as a lead sponsor- would bring profound impact to our conference. We would be grateful for the honor of calling you our lead sponsor,...
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The Black Community, COVID-19 & Trauma [sdvoice.com]
By Latanya West, San Diego Voice, May 15, 2020 In January 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as California’s first-ever Surgeon General. An award-winning physician, researcher and advocate, Dr. Burke Harris’ career has been dedicated to serving vulnerable communities and combating the root causes of health disparities. Her work is equally dedicated to changing the way our society responds to one of the most serious, expensive and widespread public health crises of...
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This is Us - Meet Peace4Tarpon - Connie McDonald!
Connie has lived in Tarpon Springs for over forty years. During that time, she has served as Interim Director of the Chamber of Commerce and “cut the ribbon” for many new businesses. It was here that she came to know and love the people of Tarpon Springs and developed a heart for both the youth and elderly. As one of the founders of “Wellness Ministries”, Connie works with folks experiencing homelessness by providing food, clothing, medical and spiritual support. She volunteered for over...
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Today's kids are experiencing a world full of trauma. Is your church trauma-informed?
In our world today, many children experience early childhood trauma. Through a lot of research, we now know that childhood trauma can affect children for the rest of their lives. ACEs too High explains in several articles and research reviews how trauma in early childhood can affect kids’ behavior and health during childhood and cause lifelong problems. We know early trauma causes toxic stress in the brains of young children—so much so that the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a...
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Trauma-Informed Churches – CMConnect Conference Notes
This blog post are notes written by GJ Farmer and taken from a workshop Linda Ranson Jacobs presented for CMConnect Conference in 2015. Early trauma causes disorganized attachment. In early attachments children feel safe. If there are attachment issues, the impulse is fight or flight. Childhood trauma affects children into adulthood. If we want a church of the future, we must become trauma-informed. “Sometimes that angry look, that stare, that inappropriate response, is a cry for help more...
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Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.
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Trauma Informed Congregation Movement in Arizona
As a social work professional, I was involved in the trauma field twenty years ago. But I became a charismatic nondenominational church pastor, starting a college campus prayer movement. With my cultural heritage and training at an evangelical seminary, the focus of my ministry has been intercession, multi-ethnic discipleship and servant leadership. However, the development of community service involvement with the ministry brought me back to the engagement in my previous professional field.
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Trauma Informed Congregations Community of Practice meeting May 27, 2015
LINK TO THE RECORDING OF THE MEETING: https://hrsa.connectsolutions.com/p1zlsjfmfww/ Short summary of presentations and topics discuss Northeast Michigan Trauma-Informed Community Action : With the goal of making Northeast...
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Webinar: The Human Impact of Climate Change
The Community Resiliency Model Disaster Relief Program Climate change emergencies are real and the human toll during and in the aftermath impact children, teens and adults. This webinar will hear from Kelly Doty, a survivor, who lost her home in Paradise and is working in a community-based program to help the children and their parents in the aftermath. Elaine Miller-Karas, the key developer of the Community Resiliency Model Disaster Relief Program, will explain the program and how it helps...
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What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
There is a growing trend in education, mental health, social services, and health care: becoming trauma-informed. For those in ministry, “trauma informed” can be a confusing phrase, bringing up images we might not naturally associate with the church and its mission and ministry. Trauma results from something that occurs in a person’s life that is experienced as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. An event, circumstance or series of events that are traumatic leaves lasting...
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What happens when a Muslim center opens up across from a Christian church? Community. (upworthy.com)
It all started when the Memphis Islamic Center purchased land across the street from Heartsong Church. It took Pastor Steve Stone of Heartsong Church by surprise. "When I saw that, my stomach kind of tightened up. ... I felt that ignorance and that fear ," he said. Like Stone, Dr. Bashar Shala of the Memphis Islamic Center was unsure of what to expect. The goal of the Islamic center was to create a place for people to "pray and play" and have a sense of community, but he knew they'd likely...
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When the Cross is On the Table
Susan Traylor says “When they see the cross on the table, they know someone has died.” The ‘they’ she is talking about are the many folks experiencing homelessness in our small community of Tarpon Springs, Florida. A few weeks ago, the cross was on the table for Terry. I knew him by sight but never knew his name. I observed him over the past few years quite often in a state that makes most people not only uncomfortable, but anxious and fearful as he argued with someone only he could see. He...
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Why you faith community should know about ACEs - from Helenair.com
As I begin to share with faith communities throughout Montana why adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) matter and how they can help build more resilient children and healthier communities, I sometimes hear something like this: "But why does it matter? What difference should it make in ministry?” The ACE survey measured the prevalence of ten stress-inducing factors in childhood including abuse, neglect, and substance abuse in the home, and these factors definitely influence ministries...
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Re: Why you faith community should know about ACEs - from Helenair.com
Chris, where did you get the stats for Montana? Is there a link that tells such stats for various states? I'd love to use some of this in presentations to children's pastors when I speak at national conferences. Thanks for your compassion to inform congregations about ACEs.
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Re: Why you faith community should know about ACEs - from Helenair.com
Linda... Here is the source for the stats: http://www.childtrends.org/wp-...xperiences_FINAL.pdf It is not an exhaustive discussion, but does discuss what is most prevalent as far as ACEs for each state. Hope you find it helpful! Chris
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Re: Why you faith community should know about ACEs - from Helenair.com
Thanks bunches. I get Child Trend's news but must have missed this one. Too much to read and keep up with at times.
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Hi everyone... I think I mistakenly posted this on the main blog, which gets flooded with entries and things get lost fast! So, I reposted here in case any of the faith-based folks missed it last week. Blessings, Chris
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Excellent! I did miss it last week so thanks for posting it here.
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
You are welcome, Linda... I am still getting the hang of just how to best maneuver ACEs Connection and both find and post things in the appropriate places! I am glad you liked the article. Chris
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Thanks for this post Chris. I also agree with what you've written. If what you've captured is the essence of the phrase 'trauma-informed,' Then I think we need to go one step further in ministry and that is to make available options for traumatized congregants to receive healing. Options such as Linda Jacobs is offering at her church. For Christian church communities, this is an opportunity for people too experience the healing balm of Jesus Christ. So, yes, people in faith communities and...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
The following was in this month's church newsletter. "... "... Many years ago one of my parishioners came to see me because he could not shake a nagging feeling of anxiety and depression. Through the pastoral counseling process I also discovered that he had a heart condition. As I asked him questions to better understand what had happened in his life that could have triggered such physical and emotional symptoms he revealed that his mother had left his family on Christmas Eve as a child. He...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
These are all nice theories and truly look good in a vacuum. but people who've been impacted by ACEs are not "waiting in the wings" for somebody to put together a "trauma informed" ministry. People already exist. Its not "oh gee, let's do trauma informed ministry! Yippee!" For people with ACEs its, "we've been mistreated for YEARS" Talk with people actively engaged in the 'consumer' movement. Churches really "big" on 'social justice' issues, on "ministry" issues, either embrace the "disease"...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Hi Sandy... A lot to respond to and I want to give your comments and questions the honor of the appropriate level of prayer and thought before giving a substantive response. Maybe a phone call would work better? If you are interested, send me a private message! Thanks.
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
I have another friend that has developed a program called "Chained No More." This program is run in churches and is about breaking the chains from childhood. My friend, Robyn Bessemann didn't know much about trauma in the beginning but after lot of study, being raised in a minister's home and ministering to kids and youth of divorce she learned. The Lord impressed upon her to write this program. http://robynbministries.com/chained-no-more/ She also now has an Internet radio show where is...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
I am the author of "Chained No More...A Journey of Healing for Adult Children of Divorce/Childhood Brokenness ." I did not grow up in a horribly dysfunctional home, did not divorce, or have divorced parents. I did not suffer from abuse, although I had other issues growing up in a pastor's home. It used to be that we all kept our "family business" private, so never really discussed it, nor did we heal from it, so we took it forward into our adult lives. Churches proclaimed the gospel and gave...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Love it, Robyn! I share your passion. Of what I wrote, here's where I feel the crux of the matter lies... moving from advocacy for to advocacy with and empowerment of those with past (and present) trauma: Empowerment, voice and choice : Are those that are ministered to also given opportunity and empowered to minister within the church, understanding that they bring value and wisdom to the worshipping community? Are they fully integrated into the life of the church and given a voice for...
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Re: What does it mean for a ministry to be "trauma-informed?"
Yes, Chris. That is the next step for someone who has found healing. They have lived through trauma and damage, so, in my belief, they are highly qualified to move forward and "use their pain for good." We find in our participants, that after finding that healing, they then feel much more worthy and accepted wherever they go, including the church. Concerning Chained No More participants, we sometimes have them come in and observe the next set of classes, share a little of their journey of...
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Re: An ACES Presentation as a Sermon
Hi Folks! I'm attaching two documents that I used to deliver the teaching I mentioned in the post above. There is a Powerpoint file that I used on the Sunday that I've converted to a PDF. And the script that accompanies the Powerpoint is also in a PDF document. This presentation and the supporting documents are a 'work in progress.' As Ronnie and I present this to other churches and ministries in the area, I'm sure that it will evolve. We are doing our best to share this important material...
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Re: Building community by facing collective trauma with hope
One of the concepts I try to invoke to the community is the transforming power of being there — connecting rather than separating. Abraham Lincoln is quoted, “I don’t like that man. I need to get to know him better.” And “Do I not lose my enemies when I make them my friends?” Jesus befriended Zaccheus. Zaccheus was transformed in that he worked for the better of his community (Luke 19). Instead of asking, “Why did you do that?” ask, “Why are you hurting?” I’ve worked with those with...