I am sitting in my backyard – the sun is shining as two squirrels are happily chasing each other in and around my garden which is slowly coming back to life. Yesterday, at this exact moment, I was sitting under very different conditions – an overcast sky as we plunged into three minutes of sudden darkness during the full eclipse. It was a collective experience of awe and wonder. Even though we may have read and heard about a total eclipse – to be in it was another experience entirely. And in those moments, we were connected not only to the cycles of the sun and moon but to each other whether we gathered with family or friends, attended a community event, or even spent it in solitude. I first became aware of the term collective trauma during COVID – the concept of a traumatic event experienced by an entire population. The eclipse gave me the felt sense of a collective collection. It made me wonder, what happens when we intentionally invoke a feeling of deep connection? It brings forth a sense of hope, strength, and renewal. The featured story this month, Centering the Black Feminist Perspective: Supremacy Culture is the Barrier Black Maternal Health Never Needed by Kahshanna Evans highlights the importance of shifting from disconnection to connection to address the disparities in black maternal health outcomes. When we leave out entire groups of people and perspectives, we only limit our ability to address the inequities and perpetuate harm. Our work through the NYS TINRC has also been a source of collective connection. We are excited to announce the call for proposals for the 2nd Annual Conference October 23 – 25. For those who joined us last year, the sense of connection was palpable and energizing and I expect it will only expand. You can also join the 2 nd Quarterly Network meeting on May 22 at 12 pm for another point of connection. When we come together in community and share our truth, stories, and selves, we create the opportunity to spark possibility. Looking forward to connecting with you!
Elizabeth
NYS TINRC Join the Journey Conference October 23-25, 2024
Whether you’re new to understanding trauma or have been involved for a while, this conference is for you! We welcome your ideas for workshops and talks that focus on concrete skills, take-aways, practices, and strategies!
Register on the TINRC Website to share who you are and the work you’re doing!
Breath-Body-Mind™ is a set of gentle exercises that are based on science and designed to help with stress. They can improve your mental health and wellness. And the best part? All sessions, workshops, and trainings are free for New Yorkers!
Practice Sessions
Explore breathing, relaxation, and gentle movement techniques during our BreathBody-Mind™ practice sessions. You can join these virtual sessions from work, at home, or any comfortable location. They help reduce stress, give your body a chance to reset, and better prepare you for whatever your day may bring.
English classes are offered every Tuesday at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 8 PM. English classes w/ Spanish translation are offered every Thursday at 12 PM.
Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to consider the alarming increase in Black maternal mortality as a social justice issue. The CDC reports that increases from 2020 – 2021 for all women increased, but the rates for Black women were significantly higher than other groups. Taking a collective pause to recognize this important issue is just as important as taking action. Black women are more than just numbers.
Did you know that the Earth’s climate change and pollution can contribute to toxic stress? This Earth Day, the NYS TINRC would like to raise awareness of the Earth’s changing atmosphere and its effect on us. We’ll also discuss how to care for ourselves and the planet during these uncertain times.
NYS TINRC 2nd Quarterly Network Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM
Location: Zoom/Virtual
In New York City, a small group of trauma champions make up the New York City Resilience Collaborative (NYCRC). The NYCRC is a diverse group of stakeholders from New York City whose goal is to promote healing and resilience through empathic, nurturing care across all sectors. Want to join the NYC Resilience Collaborative? Contact Aida Ortiz ortiza07@nyu.edu.
