Healing TREE Needs Your Help

Healing TREE needs your help to keep our programming alive! Healing TREE enables healing from trauma, rather than coping with symptoms, by 1) providing access to leading, evidence-based, trauma treatment for marginalized communities through sponsoring and facilitating therapist training in EMDR 2) removing barriers to effective, culturally appropriate, affordable treatment through our free, nationwide network of vetted, trauma-focused providers 3) producing and partnering with relevant, mainstream arts projects (with workshops on abuse and trauma built around them) to create social change. Unfortunately, Healing TREE has not been able to meet our fundraising goals during this difficult time. UPDATE: We have had to downsize our team and pause programming that has not already been funded. This includes incoming client and provider inquiries for our Approved Care Network (a life-saving program). However, if we can hit our goal of raising $21,000 by January 15th, 2024, we will be able to operate for the next several months, while we prioritize securing sustainable funding, without further cutting back. Since COVID-19 began, and as we struggle with ongoing systemic oppression, our society’s mental health crisis is at an all-time high and our work has never been needed more. Your support can ensure our life-saving programming can continue. *Once we reach $5,000, we have a donor who will donate another $2,000!*

THE ISSUE

Trauma is a thread that weaves through all of our lives, touching us in ways both seen and unseen. Yet, the absence of effective treatment has led to a pervasive public health crisis. Whether originating from emotional abuse, neglect, violence, war or systemic oppression, unprocessed trauma forms the bedrock of societal challenges, including mental and physical health struggles, addiction, homelessness, crime and violence. Despite the existence of viable solutions, public awareness and the integration of the trauma, mental health and medical fields have lagged, perpetuating cycles of pain and suffering. We exist to change that.

CURRENT OBSTACLE

For close to a decade, Healing TREE has stood resolute in its mission, persevering in the face of the ongoing challenge to secure consistent financial support even throughout the pandemic. However, this year marks a critical turning point. In 2023, pandemic relief funds have run out, but the impact of the pandemic is still very present, there are workers strikes across unions, widespread economic uncertainty and rising inflation. Unfortunately, we have not secured the corporate, small business, foundation, grant and individual donor support necessary to propel our work forward into 2024. We have a strategy to secure sustainable funding in place, but we need your help to bridge the gap. Your engagement at this juncture is of utmost importance.

OUR MISSION

Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment) advocates healing from abuse and trauma rather than coping with the symptoms, in order to transform lives and, ultimately, society. We achieve this by providing trauma-focused resources and education and by producing and partnering with relevant film, television, and theatre, empowering the social change necessary to create a healing movement.

ABOUT US VIDEO - Learn about the widespread issue of trauma and our unique approach to healing (4.5 min)

Programming Your Donor Dollars Support:

• EMDR Therapy Training: By facilitating and sponsoring EMDR Therapy training, a trauma-focused treatment modality clinically proven to be superior to Fluoxetine (antidepressant medication) in treating PTSD and depression (Van der Kolk et al., 2007), we're fostering healing at its core. Your assistance empowers therapists serving under-resourced communities to acquire critical skills that are typically cost-prohibitive to be trained in. EMDR's efficacy is unparalleled, and through your generosity, we can make this treatment available to the most marginalized communities. We currently have a waitlist of over 100 therapists who serve approximately 5,000 youth in the foster care, child welfare and juvenile justice systems annually. Learn more.

“EMDR is equivalent to the cure for ‘emotional cancer’” – EMDR Therapy Training Trainee

o $1950 covers the cost of one therapist going through the 52-hour EMDRIA-approved EMDR Therapy Training which reaches approximately 50 vulnerable youth per year.

• Approved Care Network: Our free, nationwide directory bridges the gap for trauma survivors, connecting them with personally vetted, trauma-focused mental health providers whose certificates in brain-body based modalities we get on file and whom we conduct phone interviews with. We search for providers that meet our clients’ unique needs like being a therapist of color, a queer therapist, faith based, a therapist of a certain gender, and someone who takes their insurance or offers sliding scale. This essential network dismantles the cycle of mere coping and ensures individuals receive the healing they deserve. Learn more.

“This organization saved my life. I cannot thank you enough.” – Approved Care Network Client

o $417 covers the cost to support the Network for one month.

• Silk Screening + Workshop: Through our impactful workshops, built around our compelling short film Silk (which was an Official Selection at an Academy Award Qualifying Festival) we're enlightening and empowering high school and college students, social service agency clients and staff and professionals across fields. These sessions delve into the subtleties of emotional and psychological abuse and trauma, sparking vital conversations that shift perspectives and empower healing to begin. Learn more.

“I want to share this entire workshop with all of my friends and family.” – Silk Screening + Workshop Participant

o $750 covers the cost of one Silk Screening + Workshop reaching approximately 20 students or community members on the red flags of emotional abuse and trauma and linking them to the resources for healing.

• Brainspotting Therapy Training (BIPOC Scholarship): We provide BIPOC clinicians scholarships for training in Brainspotting, an influential trauma treatment modality. Learn more.

“I am cognizant that if the funds would not have been made readily available to BIPOC providers, I would not have been able to cover the training expenses.” – Brainspotting Therapy Training BIPOC Scholarship Recipient

o $1590 covers the cost of one therapist going through phase one and two of Brainspotting Therapy Training which reaches approximately 50 clients per year.

• Empowering Arts Professionals: We produce our own arts projects as well as offer fiscal sponsorships, trauma consulting and partnerships for relevant film, television and theatre, fostering healing and influencing society in alignment with our mission. Learn more.

“I was the lucky, lucky benefactor of one of those partnerships (on Mass).” - Fran Kranz, Creator of Mass (Sundance 2021, BAFTA nominee), speaking at 2022 Healing TREE Gala

OUR STORY & PROGRAMMING VIDEO - Learn why we were founded and what donor dollars support (4 min)

Other Ways You Can Support Our Cause:

• Visit our Website to learn more and join our mailing list and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Join the Healing Movement – Your Support Matters

By extending your financial support to Healing TREE, you're not only enabling immediate access to crucial trauma therapy for those in need today, but you're also sowing the seeds of transformation and progress that will ripple throughout society in the future. Your donation transcends a mere financial contribution; it's an investment in a healthier, more resilient world for us all.

If you or a loved one have needed services like ours in the past, and find yourself in a position to give a monetary contribution to support Healing TREE now, you can be a part of paving the way for a future where the effects of abuse and trauma no longer hold the same power over individuals and communities.

We humbly encourage you to give what you can and to share this with your community to help us spread the word and gain much needed support. From all of us at Healing TREE, we thank you for your generosity!

Please note, PayPal Giving Fund is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity (Federal Tax ID: 45-0931286) making this donation to Sheared, Inc. doing business as Healing TREE, an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity (Federal Tax ID: 47-1856390), tax deductible.