Education & Engagement

Training

ESSENTIALS TRAINING

Our Essentials Training options are designed to educate and equip participants to understand the scope and impact of the trauma, abuse and exploitation that vulnerable women in our communities have endured, how to best respond to and support survivors, and to learn what regional services and resources are available:

• Light of Life volunteers - This training is required for every volunteer who will be working directly with the women we serve and also offers a great opportunity for anyone who wants a more in-depth education. Watch our events page and Facebook page for upcoming Light of Life Essentials training.

• Church staff and program volunteers

• Community Outreach teams

• Shelters and Recovery Centers staff and volunteers

TRAUMA TRAINING - for Churches and Faith-based Organizations

As Christians, we seek to comfort the hurting and distressed, help those less fortunate, and desire to alleviate suffering where we can. Unfortunately, there are far too many who suffer in silence, those in our churches and communities who are struggling and in pain resulting from past traumatic experiences and abuse. How might believers minister more effectively to these individuals? One key factor is to become trauma informed. This training empowers participants to understand:

- the realities of sexual abuse and trauma affecting both children and adults, including current statistics

- how traumatic experiences shape thought processes and behavioral responses

- how our church communities can be equipped and empowered to respond with a trauma-informed approach

- guidelines for developing and implementing a trauma response plan as well as pertinent area resources

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Presentations are available providing specifically tailored training to social service and healthcare providers, mental health professionals, educators, and government agencies. The dynamics and scope of human trafficking are detailed with a focus on vulnerability factors, recruitment and control tactics, and victim identification, as well as a review of best practices for responding and reporting. Training participants will be equipped to recognize the indicators of human trafficking for the population they serve and the importance of a trauma informed response.

We have over 16 years of experience in human trafficking work and hold certifications with the Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking, the My Life My Choice Prevention curriculum and the Ending The Game coercion resiliency program. Our Chief Impact Officer, Donna Plourde, is a member of the NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force where she chaired the training committee for a number of years. In that capacity, she presented to organizations and agencies across the state, coordinated presentation development, and facilitated training for task force members and trainers.

Training presentations have included:

• NH Drug Court Conference

• Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College

• Hope Starts Here Conference - NH Children’s Trust

• SNHU Conference - Leading Manchester to Recovery: Extending Our Reach

• NH Dept. of Travel and Tourism

• NH Lodging and Restaurant Association

• New England Public Health Conference

• Northeast Regional Psychiatric Nursing Conference

• New England Faith and Justice Summit

• Colleges and Universities

• Hospitals, Clinics, Nursing Schools

• Behavioral and Mental Health Programs

• Division for Children, Youth and Families

• NH Job Corps

• International Institute

Awareness

These opportunities are designed to raise awareness and highlight prevention with community and civic groups, schools, youth organizations, and places of worship. We cover the realities faced by vulnerable women in our region, how to recognize risk factors and coercion tactics, how to respond, and what community members can do to help. We believe an informed and engaged community is key to advocating for and supporting women who have experienced abuse, trauma and exploitation effectively.

Why does the community need to know?

• Recognizing and responding to exploitation - once you know the signs, you can report suspicious activity. A tip can be called in to your local police or made anonymously to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888).  To protect the vulnerable and for safe, healthy communities, if you see something, say something.

• Equip and protect - though there are many factors that contribute to being at risk, all youth are vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation to some degree. As parents, teachers, youth leaders and neighbors, we can ensure that age-appropriate information is shared to equip and empower young people with the tools to protect themselves and others. 

• Response plan - your group or organization can establish a plan for responding to victims of abuse or trafficking who may attend programs or services and be in need of help. Having an individual or small group of people who have training, can respond with empathy, and know who to connect with to access available services and resources is an important part of being a caring, supportive community.

• Collective impact - volunteering, donating supplies or raising funds for victim assistance are valuable ways to meet tangible needs. Exercising political will and advocating for victim’s rights, strengthening state and federal laws, and funding for essential services can influence legislative action.

We welcome the opportunity to share at your conference, women’s event, informational panel discussion, church gathering or club meeting.

Awareness events have included:

• Women Stronger Together/Concord

• Interfaith Women of NH

• Nashua Regional Action Committee

• Enterprise Bank

• Radio and Local TV Programs

• Beyond the Screen - Online Safety Forum

• Rotary Clubs

• Nashaway Women’s Club, Zonta Club of Concord, Concord Women’s Club

• 100 Women Who Care, Women’s Business League

• Churches and community ministries