As I closed the cover after finishing the final chapter ofPomegranate by Helen Elaine Lee, I sat looking out the window reflecting on the journey to which I just bore witness. As a woman, a mother and someone deeply dedicated to the promotion and understanding of trauma responsive practices, my soul was deeply touched. The author herself points out through the main character, Ranita Atwater, that fiction can often get closer to the truth than non-fiction. We are gifted a front seat to Ranita’s journey as she re-enters her community following a four-year prison sentence for opioid possession. The story itself and path is not straightforward as we move back and forth in time with Ranita as she comes to understand and name the trauma and toxic stress she has experienced as well as the reconnection with both internal and external forces of resilience.
During Black History Month, the NYS Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (TINRC) would like to celebrate and honor Black, African, and African American individuals and communities. NYS TINRC continues to celebrate and amplify Black voices through community healing, storytelling and engagement opportunities. NYS TINRC acknowledges and works to actively dismantle the systemic barriers that impact the mental health and wellbeing of Black, African, and African American communities. Please join us as we recognize, enhance, and support the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of Black communities. Please explore the resources below for continued learning, engagement, and reflection.
Registration can benefit you, your organization, and the collective work happening across New York State!
Breath-Body-Mind™ (BBM) is a program of evidence-based, mind/body practices developed by integrative psychiatrists Richard P. Brown, MD, and Patricia Gerbarg, MD, which support mental health and wellness.
Practice Sessions BBM’s virtual practice sessions teach basic, gentle Breath-Body-Mind practices to soothe, balance, and strengthen the nervous system. Classes are offered every Tuesday at 6 AM, 12 PM, and 8 PM. Coming Soon! Spanish Practice Sessions Thursdays at noon
Unleashing Potential: The Dual Legacy of African American Achievement and the Fight Against Poverty by Aqua Y. Porter, Executive Director, RMAPI.
During February, Black History Month serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Beyond the significant political milestones marked by Barack Obama as the first African American President and Kamala Harris as the first woman Vice President of African American descent, African Americans have made profound impacts across every aspect of our nation.
Join us for our first Quarterly Network Meeting of 2024! This meeting will focus on the pathways to support your trauma-informed journey. Date: Wednesday, February 28th Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
CCSI’s Antiracist Curriculum Project is proud to be hosting the Virtual Antiracist Education Conference with the UR Warner School, SUNY Geneseo Ella Cline Shear School of Education, St. John Fisher University, Nazareth University School of Education, and the SUNY Brockport School of Education.
This year’s theme is “Joy, Community, Sustainability, and Resistance.”
Date: Saturday, March 2nd Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
It is important to us that all TINRC programs and resources are easily understood and accessible. In that spirit, we have renamed our Trauma Informed Practices training programs. Tending The Roots represents the ways in which trauma can impact us and our future generations, as well as the pathways towards recovery. When thinking about names promoting growth and healing, we wanted our training programs to connect to what may be below the surface. Traumatic and toxic stress can present itself in many ways, but what we don’t often see are the “roots” that caused the trauma or how it may be affecting someone on the inside. Through nurturing growth and understanding, Tending the Roots training programs are now connected with each course’s clear purpose. We’re excited to continue to develop our training offerings and expand our network of trauma-informed champions and trainers across New York.
