Center for Trauma Innovation

 

The Center for Trauma Innovation (CTI) is a transformative hub established to serve communities who have experienced trauma and have traditionally lacked access to appropriate treatment and psychoeducation. Located in East Harlem, the CTI will design and test new approaches, and expand access to existing ones, to promote trauma healing across Northern Manhattan, with a particular focus on young adults (16-24), the LGBTQIA+ community, immigration populations, and adults with histories of justice involvement. The CTI will use evidence-based clinical and grassroots healing practices into holistic approaches to healing. Our goal is to help residents avoid succumbing to the cyclical violence that can perpetuate crime and incarceration. 

The CTI will focus on three key areas to serve as a model for trauma healing:

• Direct Care, which consists of innovative interventions, both clinical and non-clinical, to promote healing from trauma (Please see below for our current services). For more information, please contact Jennifer Kaaka at jkaake@etcny.org

• Training and Technical Assistance (TTA), to offer tools, guidance, and resources locally and nationally: For training requests, please contact Jose Humphreys at jhumphreys@etcny.org.

• A Learning Community of local and national experts, in order to share learnings in, and learn from, the field of trauma healing. To join our Learning Community, please contact Myrtho Gardiner at mgardiner@etcny.org

 
 

  • Providing judgment-free services that affirm your personal narrative and healing journey.

    We recognize that distress and trauma manifest in many forms therefore services are not a one –size- fits- all process. Your choice is centered to your journey. All of our services are provided by individuals with lived experience. We pride our services on being designed for us, by us. Services offered at the Exodus Center for Trauma Innovation (ECTI) are focused on honoring and building your own resilience.

    Individual Services can include:

    • Coaching, mentoring, and holistic support by credible messengers to meet your healing goals.

    • Therapeutic services by licensed clinicians through established techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and EMDR.

    • Innovative approach guided by our research to meet your healing needs.

    To sign up for individual services, stop by our office or email us at intakecti@etcny.org

    • Emotional Regulation for Practical Re-entry/Reintegration

    • Healing Ourselves Together: Women for Women

    • Trauma and Resilience

    • Sharing our Sanctuary (Grief and Process Group)

    • Sharing Our Sanctuary (Grief Group): Our grief group is a safe space to share our losses, identify our feelings, and locate them in our bodies. In our group, we will discuss our coping strategies, search for meaning and discover our new identities. MetroCards and food provided!

      • Group time: Mondays at 2 PM

      • For more information contact Rizza Colon at RColon@etcny.org

    • Healing Ourselves Together: Women for Women: Our women’s group is for people who identify as women where they can gain support in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This group promotes healing, resiliency, and empowerment along with positive thinking and hope to help women gain balance in their life. We will also provide education around trauma, what it is and how it affects our day-to-day. MetroCards and snacks provided.

      • Group time: Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

      • For more information contact Laura Reyes at LReyes@etcny.org

    • Knitting Group: ECTI’s knitting workshop is a place for beginners to learn how to knit and experienced knitters are welcome. This workshop creates a safe, non-judgmental space  to learn, create, connect and support each other. No experience needed and all materials will be provided.

      • Group time: Wednesdays from 1 PM - 2 PM

      • For more information contact Laura Reyes at LReyes@etcny.org

    • Puppy Therapy: In collaboration with The Good Dog Foundation, we offer animal-assisted therapy to enhance healing.

    • Emotional Regulation: Re-entry/Reintegration into the community can be a stressful time for individuals returning to society from jail or prison, especially during a pandemic where there are barriers to resources, access to loved ones, and changing environments. This group is also designed to address the needs/concerns of community members who experience systemic marginalization within their own communities. The Emotional Regulation Group intends to provide support and methods on how to implement self-regulation in everyday life. MetroCards and food provided!

      • Group time: Thursdays from 12 PM to 1:30 PM

      • For more information contact Myrtho Gardiner at MGardiner@etcny.org

    • Trauma and Resilience: Our Trauma and Resilience group proved a safe space to improve our sense of safety, regulate our emotions, acknowledge losses, envision our future, and restore healthy relationships. MetroCards and food are provided.

      • Group time: Fridays from 2 PM to 4 PM

      • For more information contact Taurean Lacy at TLacy@etcny.org

    • Open Mic Fridays

      • Time: Fridays from 5 PM to 7 PM

      • For more information contact George Bailey at GBailey@etcny.org

    • Music Engineering:

      • Group time: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 PM to 3 PM

      • For more information contact Eric Maldonado at EMaldonado@etcny.org

  • Are you looking to join a network of healers? Do you want access to space and resources to offer your healing practices in the neighborhood?

    We believe that supporting healing begins with supporting local healers to expand what they offer, especially those that don’t even recognize that they are healers helping the community be well!

    The Community Healer Network will allow you to be part of a network of Community Healers. This network will provide access to free trainings, resources, and support for your healing practice.

    Based on the types of expertise needed, you could be invited to host workshops in the community and get paid as a part of Community Healers’ Residency for 2022!

    This is a year-long opportunity to get paid to offer your healing practices in the community, connect with peers who are also doing healing work, get access to free space to practice, and build your network.

    The goal of CTI is to expand opportunities and resources for healing in the neighborhood because “healed people, heal people”. We believe supporting healing begins with supporting local healers to expand what they offer, especially those that don’t even recognize that they are healers helping the community be well!

    For more information, contact AYaffe@etcny.org

    Check out our info sheet!

    If you are interested in submitting an application, click here.