I was recently sent a link to a blog from ACES Connection by Tanya Fritz. Trauma is a term is used by many of us as a way to describe environments where students and clients can be who they are, find safety and are allowed to grow into the people we know they can be. Often these are individuals who have had some significant struggles and are part of some kind of program where they can receive nurture, therapy, guidance and other kinds of support. The hope is always that a trauma-informed environment will enhance and improve their chances for change, growth and/or recovery.
But truthfully as the article states becoming trauma-informed can be rather indefinite and messy. Each individual’s journey is fraught with challenges. However as messy and challenging as these situations are, the work of being trauma-informed is worthwhile and beneficial to those who have been impacted by trauma.
Here is the article that I think represents the challenges of being trauma-informed. https://www.acesconnection.com/blog/trauma-informed-is-messy-business
Thank you, Tanya, for a real world look at being trauma-informed. It isn’t easy or predictable but it gives students the best chance to heal, change and become whole. We know that because we see it at Lakeside each and every day.
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
