TREC Programs Continues to Provide Support After Graduation
Graduation marks a pivotal moment for students in our Trauma-Resilient Educational Communities as they get ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives. Whether they choose to pursue post-secondary education or enter the workforce, these graduates are not alone on their journey. For a full year after graduation, students will receive dedicated support provided by specialists from TREC-accredited social services agency Jobs4California, part of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates program, dedicated to helping young people overcome challenges and ensure success after secondary education.
We identify students with multiple barriers to success and provide a successful transition from high school to
post-secondary institutions and careers.
The realization that students needed support beyond high school graduation began in 2012 when a leadership team at an independent high school in San Diego noticed a dramatic increase in students experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Despite the success of our students in graduating from our resource centers or catching up on credits and graduating from their prior schools, many were struggling mentally and emotionally in their post-secondary endeavors. In response, a team of dedicated and compassionate staff used their expertise in social-emotional learning, resilience building, mindfulness, and PACEs science to create a series of training to help staff, students, and others become not only trauma-informed but trauma-resilient.
J4CG specialists support students with an array of counseling, employability skills development, career association, job development, and job placement services that will result in either a quality job leading to a career after graduation or enrollment in a postsecondary education and training program, or the military.
TREC Program Graduate Completes Secondary Education with Sights on Attending Law School
Poverty, an abusive father, and gangs put Rudy on a path to prison. But when he enrolled in Learn4Life, he immediately found a community ready to support him with the acceptance and love that comes with trauma-resilient awareness practices. Taking an active approach to understanding Rudy's trauma, the staff was there to support him on his journey through his emotional healing to academic success.
“The notion that I hold myself accountable to is that education is the great equalizer. It is the sleep that precedes the American dream.”
Teachers and counselors in our TREC programs are committed to helping students develop courage, a crucial life skill for their success and well-being.
By teaching COURAGE, students are provided with the keys to a better life: • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem • Improved problem-solving and decision-making skills • Greater resilience and adaptability • Improved academic performance and motivation • Greater sense of empowerment and agency
By encouraging risk-taking, creating a safe and supportive classroom environment, teaching problem-solving skills, and using positive affirmations and growth mindset language, we can help our students develop resilience, empowerment, and courage.
How Organizations Can Help Their Staff Become Trauma-Resilient
Increasingly, we are recognizing the devastating effects of trauma in our communities, but there is something organizations can do to mitigate the risk to their teams! By becoming Trauma-Resilient Accredited, organizations can play an essential role in reducing the negative impacts of trauma by providing skills development for their staff, which, in turn, benefits the community they serve.
The TREC model can provide organizations with the tools to build a trauma-resilient culture and create a safe and supportive environment for those impacted by trauma. This includes implementing trauma-resilient practices and policies, providing ongoing professional development and support, and establishing systems for continuous improvement.
“Being a trauma-resilient organization creates awareness and being empathetic yet holding accountability.”
— Adam D., Teacher, Coach
The TREC Organizational Accreditation program helps organizations build resilience through equity-focused, healing-centered, and trauma-resilient practices. This strategy is smart for building resilience in communities by creating well-being toward a more sustainable future.
