STAR and Youth STAR
Trauma is often seen as a phenomenon affecting individuals, and much of
the trauma-healing work has been limited to the individual level.
Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) — a program developed by Eastern Mennonite University — demonstrates the relationship between the individual and the larger community. STAR is a multidisciplinary approach to trauma healing that combines the latest in trauma research, personal self-care and innovative strategies for ending the cycles of victimhood and violence within our local, national and global communities. Participants have found that STAR equips them with tools to address a range of situations that are caused or influenced by traumatic events. It expands the focus to related issues, such as justice, peacebuilding, and spirituality and shows importance of integrating these concepts on personal, community and societal levels. The STAR approach takes account of trauma induced events triggered by natural as well as human cause.
Applying the theory and philosophy behind the STAR program, TPPL staff offers 2-4 day experiences for adults and youth. Participants will have an opportunity to explore difficult times in their lives as well as those times to celebrate. They will become aware of factors that lead to resilience and have opportunities to experience some of those practices.