Together Through Trauma FAQs 2024-02-27T10:12:11+00:00

TOGETHER THROUGH TRAUMA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the programming?
CFAR’s ‘Together Through Trauma’ programming to provide evidence-based trauma counseling and trauma education through community workshops/support groups on the impacts of trauma and how to cope after exposure to traumatic events.  The programming engages children, teens, adults, families and staff with the goal of decreasing the incidence of PTSD symptoms to those directly or indirectly impacted by gun violence and working to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

How much does the programming cost to participants?
All services, workshops, and trainings under CFAR’s ‘Together Through Trauma” program are free of charge. 

How is the programming being funded?
Through two Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Grants. PCCD’s mission is to enhance the quality, coordination, and planning within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of our communities.

Who is the target audience?
Children, adults, teens, and families who have been impacted by gun and street violence in Philadelphia.

What does ‘Together Through Trauma’ services/programming include?
-Trauma workshops/support groups for children, adults, teens and families.  Topics can be chosen from a menu of workshops including understanding trauma, how trauma impacts families and relationships, how to deal with the loss of a loved one due to gun violence, managing anxiety after a traumatic event, conflict resolution, etc.  The goal is to provide trauma education as well as create a safe environment for community members to support one another.
-Therapists that provide evidenced based trauma services to those directly impacted by gun violence in person or through telehealth, making appropriate referrals as needed.
-Training/support for community partner staff.  Trainings will focus on education around secondary traumatic stress, providing support to staff members working in these vulnerable communities to help reduce burnout.
-Mental health education for summer camps.

Where will the programming be located?
Workshop and staff training locations are dependent on the location of the community partners. Therapy services are currently provided in person at 6 Philadelphia recreation centers, and virtually over Zoom.

Where can people access information about the programming?
Information will be posted on CFAR social media, shared with local partners to disseminate, and on the CFAR website. CFAR will also be working with partners to increase visibility about the programming in the target communities.

How will the programming make an impact in the community?
CFAR has expertise in understanding how trauma impacts individuals and communities. CFAR teaches that talking about your trauma, and understanding how trauma impacts you, are the first steps in regaining control and minimizing symptoms of post-traumatic stress.  The more individuals talk about their trauma, the more likely it is that they will help break the cycle of intergeneration trauma.  CFAR community workshops/support groups will cover topics such as understanding trauma, parenting through trauma, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, managing anxiety after a traumatic event, grief/loss groups, coping with the loss of a loved one due to gun violence, etc.  The goal is to provide education to help build skills to reduce the chances of developing symptoms of PTSD and encouraging community members to have healthy communication and shared experiences in which they can utilize one another as a support.  CFAR strives to create a community of healing instead of a community of silence in which people are alone in their pain. CFAR will also offer free evidenced based trauma services to those directly impacted by gun violence to help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The goal of the mental health services is not only to reduce symptoms of PTSD but to help families feel open to talk about their trauma in healthy ways, sharing their experience and feelings with family members to help break that cycle of intergeneration trauma.  In today’s world, our community is too desensitized to violence because it feels normal.  It is happening around us every day.  These sessions help children, teens, adults and families cope with trauma in a health way to help prevent retaliation and desensitization to gun violence trauma.

Family Counseling Specialists

The Center for Families and Relationships is a not for profit counseling center serving the needs of individuals, couples, families and children.

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