Trauma can result from such events as natural
disasters, the experience of untimely death or loss, abuse, family
disruption, depravation, or homelessness.
Responses can vary from art, music, play and cognitive therapy.
During infancy and childhood, a time when humans are most vulnerable
to trauma, many adults presume that children are the most resilient
and therefore conclude that such therapeutic responses are not necessary.
This is certainly not the case.
After engaging so closely with hundreds of children who have experienced
trauma, it has become clear that there is need for therapists as
well as those who interact closely with traumatized children to be
better trained for meeting the needs of these children. This training
needs to be based on sound research and the most effective practice
Community Initiatives Foundation is collaborating
with professionals to determine the viability of establishing a center
that offers such training and that supports related research to ensure
that all of the programs are based on the most effective practices
While this center is still in the hearts and
minds of the people who have seen the greatest needs, significant
work has been done to define what a place like this would provide.
To assist in the healing of children and youth who have
experienced trauma and loss.
To facilitate resources, referrals, research and the
formulation of best practices for continuing education and mental
Community Initiatives Foundation will serve as
a catalyst for bringing mental health care providers, universities,
medical centers and philanthropists together in order to:
Develop a network that focuses on research related to children
and youth who experience trauma.
Formulate best practices and standards of care for traumatized
children and youth.
Consider establishing a center for children and teens, Trauma
Center for the Young, to meet the needs of children who experience
Offer educational venues and support for parents, educators,
first responders, health care professionals, social services professionals,
care givers, mentors, personnel involved in community and faith-based
services and others who interface with children and youth who have
Facilitate broad-based community awareness and understanding
regarding the impact of trauma on children and youth.
Structure these efforts in ways that ensures the greatest sustainability.
Name the entity that houses all of these dreams.
Katrina Through The Eyes Of Children provides an
initial framework for study and further discussion. It shows the
power and depth of art therapy as a method for treating victims of
severe trauma. It will create a better understanding of the needs
of those affected by disaster and will serve as a model for supporting
the survivors in more humane and effective ways in the future.
Katrina Through The Eyes Of Children is a testimony
The exhibit can motivate donors and sponsors to support opportunities
for providing direct services to children and youth who have experienced
trauma. It will stimulate discussion and commitment to support
research in this area. It supports advocacy to ensure that the
responsible entities (governmental, insurance, local community)
share in the cost of such services.
The collected art and the videotaped interviews of children and
youth who experienced the trauma of Hurricane Katrina are a powerful
testimony of their needs as well as of the positive impact of trained
The exhibit has the power to allow others to comprehend the needs
of such children and youth and to experience the critical need
for effective responses to assist the children and youth in healing.
The collected art can be a metaphor of possibility of healing
for professionals, for care-givers, and for those who have experienced
The exhibit can be the motivation for collaborators to develop
venues for responding to children and youth who experience trauma.
The exhibit can be available in your area if there is sufficient