Blog

Crossnore’s Center for Trauma Resilient Communities’ Impact in Winston-Salem & Beyond

by Xavier Acuña

The Center for Trauma Resilient Communities (CTRC), established in 2018 as a part of Crossnore Communities for Children, aims to cultivate healing ecosystems. These ecosystems are rooted in science, collaborative learning, and measurable outcomes. Operating across Winston-Salem and Western North Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky, and other parts of the country, CTRC addresses the enduring wounds of trauma and adversity often left unspoken. Among other initiatives, CTRC is engaged in two grants centered on child welfare and community enhancement in East Winston-Salem.

We Heal Together Winston-Salem

One significant initiative, We Heal Together Winston-Salem (WHT-WS), is a collaborative effort between Crossnore’s Center for Trauma Resilient CommunitiesAction4Equity, and Forsyth Futures, supported by a $4 million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) grant over four years. This endeavor, funded through SAMHSA’s Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) program, promotes community resilience, equity, and trauma-informed practices. WHT-WS prioritizes youth and families through evidence-based violence prevention programs and community engagement efforts, facilitated by the Trauma Resilient Communities (TRC) Model.

CTRC’s Role

CTRC plays a pivotal role in WHT-WS by providing the TRC framework to eight Backbone Agencies (BBAs). These encompass pre-engagement services, training, workshops, coaching, and organizational support, alongside a TRC Champions program for sustainability. Additionally, with a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, CTRC supports five organizations serving children aged 0-11, mirroring services provided to BBAs under the WHT-WS initiative. Recent milestones include the We Heal Together Winston-Salem Campaign Launch held at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. The evening welcomed individuals and families living in East Winston-Salem. We also hosted a Partnership Launch to include community organizations who serve residents of East Winston-Salem to explain CTRC’s supportive role in greater detail.

CTRC’s Collective Impact

We are incredibly excited about the We Heal Together Winston-Salem work. However, CTRC’s work and impact go well beyond the Triad region. Over the western half of the state and even across the country, CTRC has trained countless individuals in trauma-resilient practices, facilitated champion trainer programs, and impacted numerous agencies.