The Bloom Project, initiated by Sanar Institute to address the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences, particularly violence, stands as a beacon of hope and healing. Established with a prevention-oriented mindset, the project provides trauma healing services to youth and young adults who have endured adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). By facilitating their journey towards holistic well-being, the Bloom Project aspires to heal existing trauma and also to mitigate the risk of future incidents of violence and human trafficking.
Founded in 2015, Senar Institute has been at the forefront of supporting survivors of human trafficking, employing innovative approaches to disrupt the cycle of violence. Recognizing a critical need for services addressing trauma in youth, Senar Institute gave rise to the Bloom Project with the help of funding provided by the NJ Department of Children and Families’ Office of Resilience microgrant. While most anti-trafficking work emphasizes pre-emptive education and awareness, the Bloom Project places a significant focus on the therapeutic treatment of trauma as a means of preventing future instances of trafficking.
The Bloom Project operates at full capacity, evidence of its success in offering a lifeline to people in need. The program served 20 clients with over 250 individual therapy sessions, along with 291 sessions of case management. They have also hosted a workshop on healing through horticulture - caring for plants. The overwhelming demand for mental health services underscores the effectiveness of Senar's approach, and it highlights the challenges in meeting the surging need. The fact that survivors actively seek help reflects the value of the project's intended goals.
In addition to one-on-one therapeutic services such as narrative and somatic therapy, the Bloom Project orchestrates community-oriented healing events that serve as a bridge to healing services, particularly for individuals who may harbor reservations about mental health treatments or therapy due to stigma or past systemic abuses. These events, featuring trauma-sensitive yoga workshops, breathwork exercises, and culturally specific healing services, create a safe and empowering space for individuals to embark on their healing journey.
The Bloom Project remains committed to its mission and envisions future goals centered around expansion to meet the escalating demand for mental health services. This expansion includes venturing further into the community and working to create a safer, more supportive world for trauma survivors.
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