As a result of the trauma and lasting effects that many of our program participants faced because of the pandemic, DESC felt that it was imperative to be more deliberate about incorporating healing and restorative practices into our service delivery model. We had an overwhelming desire to dig deeper and enhance the quality of interaction that we have with our youth program participants. The Healing Centered Restorative Engagement team not only helped us fulfill this desire, but their year-long training turned into so much more, sparking us to find the resources to retain them for a second year!

Along the way, we learned that it wasn’t enough to merely train those who provide direct services. As we progressed, it became abundantly clear that every person in our organization and partner network, from the parking attendant to the IT helpdesk, everyone needed to experience the transformative lessons derived from HCRE’s training. We now know that it isn’t enough to merely equip those who work with the most vulnerable. On the contrary, all of our customers – partners, vendors, funders, grantees – everyone deserves to be accepted and appreciated for who they are and what they’ve experienced.

The HCRE training has been invaluable. We’ve developed a newfound respect for those we serve, as well as for each other. Tracy and Jess have empowered us to not only enhance our organizational footprint, but we now feel emboldened to create systems change, spearheading the charge for mental health services to be regarded as essential, starting locally and ultimately at a federal level. This work is too important to ignore any longer and we are eternally grateful for the vision and guidance that HCRE has afforded us here, at DESC. I’ve heard many sentiments from our partners who’ve participated in the trainings, and they would definitely agree.

Thank you HCRE! Your efforts are and will continue to change lives.