Welcome to Pinetree’s 3rd Annual Conference! The past few years have been filled with change and growth. Through the experiences of the past couple of years we have grown to understand more deeply the importance of relationships for healing and flourishing. Developing a shared understanding of the power of connection allows us to be explicit and intentional in how we nourish relationships within our organizations, in our communities and with our children, youth and families. This year’s conference focuses directly on the power of relationship building in our organizations and our communities. Hearing directly from two of the leaders in the field of trauma responsive approaches, Dr. Sandy Bloom and Laura Porter, we have a chance to reflect on what we can do in our own organizations and communities to build the relationships that nurture true growth.
The past year has been one of significant growth for Pinetree. We launched the Greater Portsmouth Youth Wellness Coalition with the support of the Foundation for Seacoast Health and generous private donations through the NH Charitable Foundation. The Foundation for Seacoast Health and Portsmouth City Council also collaborated to sponsor the formation of the Greater Portsmouth Recovery Ready Community Coalition to directly address issues of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the development of the community support necessary to promote real long-term recovery. Between them, these two Coalitions offer a model of how coordinated action within a community can address the full spectrum of mental health and recovery needs from prevention through long-term community support. As these Coalitions expand their activities the community will increase its capacity to become truly trauma responsive. In addition to this work, we have been engaged in the development of similar coordinated efforts in York County and have worked to expand the concept of Recovery Friendly Workplaces throughout the State of Maine.
Pinetree has also continued to offer workshops on adverse and positive childhood experiences, trauma and resilience in Seacoast NH, Southern ME and nearby areas. And in January we launched the first cohort of our new Trauma Responsive Certificate program – a 16-hour combination of online and in-person learning culminating in capstone projects that demonstrate direct application of trauma responsive principles. Response from our first cohorts has been very positive and we look forward to hosting more cohorts in the coming year.
We are excited about our presenters and the conversations we will have together today. As we go through the day, we hope that each of us is thinking about how best to make our organizations and our communities not just trauma aware but truly trauma responsive.
Enjoy the day!