Newark Community Street Team
The Newark Community Street Team has attained a national profile for their groundbreaking violence prevention work – including the work of their Safe Passage team and High Intervention teams who intervene to head off potential conflicts in the community.
But when violence can’t be prevented, it leaves deep trauma in its wake for victims and their families. For this reason, HFNJ has been helping Newark Community Street Team build up its Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) – a national award-winning program that provides evidence-based counseling to help victims and witnesses of violent crime heal, reduce symptoms, and improve their health and family dynamics.
HFNJ’s most recent grant to support the TRC was a $408,756 grant given in the first quarter of 2023.
grant given in the first quarter of 2023
violence survivors and their families were served this grant period
additional survivors and their families have been served through trauma survivor support groups
Through HFNJ’s grant, during the first six months of 2023 the TRC hired, onboarded, and trained two social workers, bringing the total number of clinical staff to six. The TRC served 126 violence survivors and their families this grant period – and with the added staff, they are now able to typically begin work with clients within 48 hours of identifying a need. 30 additional survivors and their families have been served through trauma survivor support groups.
TRC client enrollment has increased by 78% with the addition of new clinicians, with a high retention rate of 89%. Individuals who have completed therapeutic services within the 16 – 32 week time period have shown a significant reduction in symptoms (depression, anxiety, PTSD). Through HFNJ’s support, the TRC has also established a client hardship fund which was tapped to aid three families with financial hardships associated with their victimization, including funeral expenses.