CFAR October 2023 Newsletter

Thanks to an amazing staff and a wonderful group of interns, we have been able to serve more clients than projected over the past few months. Given the increasing need for mental health services across the city, we are so excited to make these strides!

Congratulations to Yaasmiyn Mapp and Belen Gomez, who were recently licensed as Marriage and Family Therapists! The process includes completing a Masters Degree, meeting rigorous requirements and passing a national board exam. Both Yaasmiyn and Belen worked incredibly hard to achieve this milestone and we are so proud to have them on the CFAR team.

At the end of September, our Together Through Trauma (TTT) team had a chance to participate in the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) Training day. We explored topics that helped the staff approach their work in a more trauma-informed way, and guided them on ways to avoid secondary PTSD or burnout. It was a rewarding experience for the TTT team and the PPR staff!

We were also excited to welcome a new Outreach Specialist, Lawrence Lovelace (pictured), to the team last month. Lawrence has brought incredible connections, as well as boundless energy, to the team and we are already so impressed by what he has accomplished.

Open access hours have been set at our partner rec centers, and community workshops have started. As always, check our TTT Parks and Rec web pages for updated information about the schedules.

The Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN) has been an incredible partner for our Together Through Trauma program. PAAN has a mission to promote community safety through the reduction of drug abuse and violence and through the development and implementation of programs that prevents juvenile delinquency and recidivism, as well as young adult criminality and recidivism. In the course of their work to "promote positive human development and transformation" they have referred many clients to CFAR's TTT program for trauma services. We're so grateful for this trusted partner in this challenging work!

At a time when the demand for mental health services is far larger than what is available, CFAR is working to expand to meet those needs. We serve some of the most vulnerable populations in Philadelphia, and our work revolves around children and families. When families are stronger, their communities are stronger. The impact ripples throughout the city, and through generations. We are so proud to be a part of this healing process, and we are looking forward to working with so many more families in the years to come. Please join us on our mission to strengthen and build resiliency in families by clicking the button below and making a donation today!