As human beings we may be harmed or injured in many different ways - through accident, violence, abuse, natural disaster, or oppression. "Trauma" is both the injury itself (e.g.."head trauma" or rape) as well as the longer-term impact of the experience or experiences. Trauma can be be sustained through a single incident, multiple, or even chronic experiences. Some trauma is intentional (rape, domestic violence, war) and some is not. Some forms of trauma are experienced collectively (e.g. war, racism, famine, natural disaster) and some are individual. In all cases, appropriate care and attention are critical to healing and recovery - for individuals, family members and communities.

The mission of the Trauma Healing Project is to ensure any person or group in our community impacted by violence or other trauma will be supported to completely recover and heal. Care and attention will be offered and provided in ways that are culturally, developmentally, and gender appropriate; strength and empowerment based; and respectful and effective. This includes healing support for caregivers.

Our Guiding Principles are:

    • Safety - immediate and long term; emotional and physical
    • Healing - therapeutic, strength-based, and effective
    • Liberation - empowerment focused, partnership models
    • Justice - prevention, intervention and social change

For information and announcements related to efforts to address, end and heal violence and other trauma in
Lane County, Oregon, join the Healthy Communities List. To subscribe go to:
http://lists.healingattention.org/mailman/listinfo/community