ROOTED & RISING
Strengthening resilience in New American communities.
We have the honor of knowing people who have been forcibly displaced by conflict, violence, and persecution. Against their deepest hopes, they were forced to leave their homes, countries, and sometimes even their families. These friends have inspired us. Our lives are better for knowing them.
Several years ago, with a team of former refugees, or “New Americans,” Belinda facilitated the creation of Circles of Support, a trauma healing curriculum for refugee communities in partnership with a local nonprofit, Treetops Collective. Since its launch, Circles of Support has been published into 13 languages and is being used by multiple organizations.
Earlier this year, we began facilitating the creation of Rooted and Rising, a trauma-informed, research-based curriculum, in partnership with several New American communities. The curriculum is distinguished by its participatory approach: it is facilitated by, and with, New Americans. Rooted and Rising is evidence-based, grounded in neuroscience, and designed to be culturally adaptable across diverse contexts.
The focus of the curriculum involves meaning making and storytelling. When New Americans make meaning from adversity, they break the cycles of generational trauma that can affect their children. When people who are traumatized share — and, over time, reframe — their stories, they not only heal physically, they experience resilience and growth. Rooted and Rising helps people reclaim their stories, strengthen their emotional well-being, and create belonging in their communities.
Turns out strength begins with story.
Through facilitator certification and organizational training, the curriculum team will train and equip their communities with practical tools to turn stories of displacement into narratives of strength and flourishing. After completing the design, Rooted and Rising will be piloted in three New American communities. Once this phase is complete, the curriculum team will present Rooted and Rising to nonprofit, business and community leaders through a series of launch events and workshops.
“WHEN THE ROOTS ARE DEEP, THERE IS NO REASON TO FEAR THE WIND.”