Still I Rise
Healing never has a one-size-fits-all solution, because every person has a unique history and specific needs. Peace Over Violence understands this, and our staff intentionally works to create trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally attuned services for survivors of all backgrounds. This includes developing programs and cultivating spaces informed by and tailored for specific communities. One example of this is our Still I Rise psychoeducational trauma processing group for woman-identifying Black survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
For many survivors, accessing the communal spaces needed for their healing journeys can be challenging, especially in our current landscape of sheltering-at-home and social distancing. The global pandemic, coupled with the daily reality of anti-Black racism in the United States, can be overwhelming for many Black survivors. The interconnected and dehumanizing reminders of police brutality, environmental racism, wealth inequality, and racial disparities in mortality rates, as well as the public health issue of domestic violence, where Black women experience higher domestic violence-related mortality rates than any other ethnicity, has heightened the need for safe healing spaces for Black people. Peace Over Violence believes it is our ethical duty to provide a culturally affirming environment for survivors of all backgrounds, and Still I Rise creates this space for Black survivors.
This 12-week support group focuses on helping participants develop a range of coping skills, while simultaneously providing space to foster and honor each person’s resiliency and strengths. Its curriculum was developed by Dr. Brenda Ingram, a licensed clinical social worker and educator who specializes in African American mental health, and covers various topics including social media and self-care, the cycle of violence, and understanding the history and narrative of violence against Black women.
Recognizing the importance of cultivating a variety of tailored healing tools, Still I Rise remains an intentional program that is adaptable to the changing needs of its members while staff works to support them in their healing journeys.
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW is a Critical Race Theory-informed social work professional focused on healing the effects of intergenerational trauma in the Black community. Her practice approach is heavily derived from trauma-informed care and cultural humility, resulting in an inclusive and empowering therapeutic approach. Expanding beyond the clinician-client relationship, Julia has traveled nationally and internationally to facilitate educational dialogues on generational trauma in the Black community.
For more information about Still I Rise, contact sky@peaceoverviolence.org