Tag: Trauma & Policing

Issue

Healing Communities through Trauma to Trust

A vision of a world where violence is rare is EJUSA’s north star. As we work toward making that vision a reality, we must address the violence that over-policing inflicts on Black and brown communities — which sows enduring fear and distrust. We invite you to watch a short video on Trauma to Trust, a… Continue reading Healing Communities through Trauma to Trust

A Personal Experience with Trauma to Trust

When someone joins the EJUSA team, the organization works to get them to Trauma to Trust quickly to experience the exploration of trauma and its impact on people and communities. My turn came in the fall of 2021. I hit the road, in central New Jersey, at 6 a.m. to get to the training center in… Continue reading A Personal Experience with Trauma to Trust

Bridging the Gap

Nicole Scott started The BRidge Agency with the goal of it acting as the bridge connecting community members and the resources needed to meet their needs. Her own experience living in Baton Rouge is proof that families that are struggling are often unaware of the help that’s available. Nearing its fifth anniversary, the scope of… Continue reading Bridging the Gap

A Passion for Serving and Healing

There have been two constants in Donna Roman Hernandez’s life: trauma and a deep desire to help people. Both elements are deeply entwined. Donna served her community for 30 years as a police officer in New Jersey, retiring as a captain having commanded a domestic violence response team and police in-service domestic violence training unit.… Continue reading A Passion for Serving and Healing

The Verdict and True Accountability

Yesterday, many millions of us exhaled with relief. We exhaled for those who can’t: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Duante Wright, Adam Toledo, and so many, many more.  A legal process that has never been applied fairly has convicted Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. It’s a meaningful verdict in part because it’s so… Continue reading The Verdict and True Accountability

Newark: In This Together

Credit: Ron Holtz Studio

In 2014, I was leading police training for Newark, NJ, when Mayor Ras Baraka took office. This was a crucial juncture for Newark Police Department (NPD). A recession plus a surge in retirements had decimated the department. But that wasn’t the only problem. Before my role at the Police Academy, I worked in Internal Affairs… Continue reading Newark: In This Together

Exposing Trauma to Heal

Violence interventionist and Trauma to Trust participant Darren Miller (center) speaks about the impact of the program, and his experiences with law enforcement.

Over 500 police and community members have completed in EJUSA’s Trauma to Trust program. Click here to learn more and participate. Summer sunlight poured through tall windows into the community room of a historic Newark building this past June. Long tables formed something like a horseshoe, with chairs lining the outer perimeter. A large projection… Continue reading Exposing Trauma to Heal

Fall 2019, From Trauma to Trust: Police and Community Collaborative Training

This fall, Equal Justice USA is continuing to lead an effort to facilitate healing and build trust between the community and police with a goal of better responses to trauma in the wake of violence. A team of facilitators will be leading trainings on trauma-informed responses to violence with the Newark Police Department and Newark… Continue reading Fall 2019, From Trauma to Trust: Police and Community Collaborative Training