Definition of Trauma
Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of
circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.  (SAMHSA definition 2014) 

Professional development opportunities such as ongoing certification programs, college coursework, and community-based workshops help to keep staff members informed on new and best practices, particularly in the fields of substance abuse and mental health.Staying up to date on such knowledge and approaches is vital for us to provide the best possible services to the individuals we serve.

In June, Gemeinschaft Home program staff participated in a one-day workshop led by Brandy Haden, Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board. Largely based on research from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), the workshop, “Surviving and Thriving: Trauma and Resilience,” gave staff members a chance to define and discuss trauma as a concept and as a significant factor in the lives of many program participants.

Staff members learned about signs and symptoms of trauma, as well as some of the key components of trauma that individuals experience and how they affect their behavior and actions. While staff members cannot formerly diagnose an individual with trauma, having a more informed perspective enables them to connect participants with necessary resources more readily.

Many formerly incarcerated individuals have experienced trauma, both throughout their lifetimes and during incarceration, and face numerous challenges when transitioning back to life after prison. Many have never had any formal treatment interventions to cope with such experiences as well.

Knowing more information about various types of traumas and the risks involved will help Gemeinschaft Home staff provide better guidance (such as referrals to appropriate services) for the individuals we serve in both the residential and non-residential programs.

In addition to life recovery group sessions and community service obligations, all residents also participate in various enrichment activities that help build on the tools they gain in the program.

Since the opening of the women’s program early this year, residents have had several opportunities to work with volunteers in workshop settings on topics including self-defense instruction, creative writing, arts and crafts, as well as a music collaboration.

Amplify Music, a local nonprofit founded by Rebecca Kenaga, a recent JMU graduate who worked on previous music collaborations with the Gemeinschaft Home male residents, also began working with the participants in the women’s program in late spring. Amplify Music focuses on individuals in crisis, particularly those have been incarcerated, using music engagement as a mechanism for social change, and they offer services in education settings as well.

“When someone who has faced incarceration, homelessness, abuse, addiction, and trauma realizes they are capable of creating something beautiful out of themselves, they realize they are also beautiful and capable of doing many other things they might not have acknowledged before,” says Kenaga.

Throughout the summer, Kenaga and her colleagues offered weekly music sessions in which residents composed lyrics and music in structured activities to foster collaboration and discovery.

With support of several recent grants, Amplify Music also provides resources such as musical instruments, recording equipment, and even digital devices such as tablets and Chromebooks to facilitate each resident’s involvement in the creative process.

We look forward to sharing more with you about this ongoing collaboration!

For more information about Amplify Music, visit www.amplifymusicva.org.