The Stories We Carry: Intergenerational Trauma, Organizational Wounds, and Collective Resilience

Facilitators: Dr. Lisa Martin and Phyllis Thorne

In this reflective, participatory workshop, we explore the stories that shape us, those passed down through our families, through our communities, and through the organizations where we work. Participants will define and unpack intergenerational and historical trauma while engaging in activities that honor the resilience of ancestors, communities, and self. We will introduce a framework, new to the Sanctuary Institute, that connects intergenerational trauma to ACEs and outcomes.

We will examine how trauma lives not only in individuals but in institutions, and how organizational histories influence present-day behaviors and decision-making. Drawing on the Sanctuary Model and the work and research on resilience, participants will identify actionable steps they can take to growth, change, and healing. This session ensures that everyone sees themselves reflected in the conversation and leaves with renewed clarity, connection, and purpose.