Letter from the CEO: Summer 2023
Chief Executive Officer
There are countless articles and research on the topic of Trauma Informed Care. How it is defined often depends on whose perspective is being given. A residential living setting such as The WellHouse provides a unique perspective since we are literally living and interacting daily (24 hours per day actually) with those who have experienced severe complex trauma, often since childhood.
There are many components to Trauma Informed Care, but, in residential living with traumatized victims, the two key areas which must be provided as a foundation are a safe environment so that survivors can choose, and an environment of trust that leads to empowerment. These are more sophisticated phrases from the world of those who have been deemed experts in the field, but at The WellHouse these two areas are foundational and provide a standard of operating. We prefer the simplicity of the meanings over the chaos of complicated, wordy specifications and ever-changing trends thus allowing us to serve more intentionally and effectively.
Here is a practical, real-life example. Recently, our family enjoyed a trip to the beach. My granddaughter brought a friend, Gracie, with her and we did our usual to include renting jet skis. My granddaughter, not a novice to this activity, was on the jet ski with my husband and her friend was with me. Even before we left the pier, I knew Gracie (age 16) was hesitant and even a little scared based on the questions she asked the instructor. But she hopped on anyway, and she clung, literally, to me the entire time. She talked non-stop, questioning every move, wondering what would happen if we fell off, and constantly sought assurance from me that I knew what I was doing, and we were safe. It became my goal to reassure her more than my enjoying the ride.
I could not help but think of our residents during their first few months at The WellHouse. Like Gracie, they need to be assured that they are safe, and they need to experience daily living that allows them to build trust, some for the first time in their lives. At The WellHouse, this epitomizes Trauma Informed Care: safety and trust. It is not difficult, but it does require consistency from a trained staff who are committed to serving. I am daily grateful to those who are incredibly willing to serve and even sacrifice.
And then, from this foundation, the hard work of helping people who have survived the very worst the enemy can perpetrate understand that they are loved, they are worthy, they are capable, and they measure up to exactly what God’s plans are for their precious lives. Little, if anything, can compare to a transformed life that doesn’t look back and refuses to remain stuck in a place that she was only passing through. She becomes able to look forward to her future, unstuck, and loving what is instead of hating what was. And it all began with the simplicity of her willingness to trust in an environment designed to make her know she is safe.