A local organization offers training this weekend on the effects of trauma on children. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Joseph, through a grant from Mosaic Life-Care, is presenting “Fostering Resilience: Preparing children and teens to THRIVE through both good and challenging times with a Trauma-Informed approach.” 

Tiffany Miller is the Program Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Joseph. She said they serve around 100 children a year in mentoring relationships and noticed a lot of children in the program and on the waiting list have had an experience with trauma. 

“We want to inform community members who have children or work with children on a little bit of trauma informed care as well as resiliency of children and how to thrive through good and challenging times,” Miller said. “Whether they’re working with children or teens in their own life or through a school, through neighbor kids, we want to inform the community about how to work with these children in the best way possible.” 

Miller said the event is for anyone who works with kids, has kids or is interested in learning about the effects of trauma. 

“I can’t imagine anyone who would not benefit from coming to this training,” Miller said. “I think it’s a misconception that trauma has to be some large event. You think of a child who’s gone through a tornado event who is certainly experiencing trauma, but it really doesn’t have to be something that catastrophic, it can be something very minor that most children have gone through. It’s really just teaching community members how to work best with the kids in our community.” 

Guest speakers include Jean West and Dr. Tim Crowley. West is a TLC Certified Trauma Consultant and Trainer, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and employee of the St. Joseph School District. Crowley is a nationally known motivational speaker and leadership and resilience expert. 

The training event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Grace Evangelical Church, 5103 South 50th. 

To RSVP, click here. The event is for adults only and is open to the first 250 who RSVP.