By Libby Bennett, Executive Director, Groundworks Collaborative

Every day, human service professionals encounter people carrying burdens that are often invisible. Trauma, loss, poverty, childhood adversity, domestic violence, addiction, mental illness, and isolation can all shape a person’s experience and influence their need for support at Groundworks. Trauma impacts how all people respond to stress, form relationships, make decisions, and engage with services.

We rarely know the full weight of what another person has endured, yet we are all experts in understanding how our own experiences have shaped the way we navigate the world. If we stop to reflect, we can likely identify the people who helped us carry difficult moments in our own lives, as well as the times we did not know where to turn for support. The reality is that none of us makes it through life entirely on our own. We all rely on others.

As Gregory Boyle writes in Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion:

“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.”

That philosophy reflects the heart of Groundworks: seeing people first through the lens of their humanity, not their circumstances. Trauma-informed care begins with a simple but profound shift in perspective—asking not, “What is wrong with this person?” but rather, “What has happened to this person?”

This approach recognizes that behavior is often shaped by lived experiences of trauma and that healing begins when people are met with dignity, empathy, and compassion. At Groundworks, this perspective guides the way we design programs, support clients and staff, and serve our community.

Compassion is not simply an emotion—it is a practice. It asks us to replace judgment with curiosity, assumptions with understanding, and transactional service with authentic human connection.

Trauma-informed care is more than a clinical framework; it is a way of creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and empowered. It shapes the relationships we build, the decisions we make, and the culture we create.

As Groundworks prepares to open our new 40-bed service-rich shelter this fall, trauma-informed care is a first principle, a core value, and a guiding philosophy that informs every aspect of program development. From the physical design of the building to daily operations, policies, and staff training, the new shelter is being developed to promote safety, dignity, trust, and opportunity.

Creating a trauma-informed environment begins with safety. Guests need to know they are physically secure, emotionally respected, and treated with equity. Just as importantly, staff deserve a workplace where they feel safe, supported, and equipped to respond effectively to complex situations.

That is why Groundworks has developed organization-wide workplace safety and risk reduction policies, invested in de-escalation training, and created clear operational procedures that support both staff and shelter guests. Safety is not only about preventing crises—it is about creating the conditions where healing and stability can begin.

Trust is equally important.

Individuals entering shelter often have experienced systems that have failed to meet their needs and may lack the supportive relationships and resources that help all of us navigate life’s challenges. Building trust requires transparency, consistency, and follow-through.

Shelter is not the destination—it is a critical step within a coordinated pathway toward stability.

Through housing navigation, healthcare access, employment supports, access to healthy food, and tailored wrap-around services available through our community partnerships, Groundworks works alongside individuals to help create pathways toward long-term stability and permanent housing.

As we expand our programs at Groundworks, we are also investing in the people who make this work possible.

Human services professionals regularly encounter trauma, grief, crisis, and loss. Over time, these experiences can lead to compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout if organizations do not provide meaningful support. At Groundworks, we believe caring for our community must include caring for the people who provide that care.

That belief is the foundation of WellnessWorks, a comprehensive employee wellness initiative designed to strengthen employee well-being, foster a supportive and engaged organizational culture, and provide staff with the tools and resources needed to sustain this important work.

A cornerstone of WellnessWorks is our partnership with Judy Greenberg, M.Ed., M.A., a licensed psychologist and founder of Know Trauma. Judy’s work has helped organizations better understand the impact of trauma on both the people they serve and the professionals who serve them. Throughout her career, Judy has partnered with humanitarian organizations, refugee resettlement agencies, educational institutions, and leadership teams to build trauma-informed cultures rooted in dignity, respect, and resilience.

Working alongside Judy, Groundworks is building upon a trauma-informed approach that extends well beyond the walls of our new shelter. Together, we are investing in a model that informs how staff engage with clients, how programs are designed, how policies are implemented, and how leaders support employees across the organization.

This work reflects our commitment to embedding trauma-informed principles throughout our entire service continuum—from community outreach and emergency shelter to housing navigation and access to healthcare, food, and case management. Whether someone is accessing a meal, seeking a safe place to sleep, connecting with an outreach worker, or navigating the path toward permanent housing, every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, restore dignity, and strengthen connection.

Through WellnessWorks, staff will participate in ongoing education that builds a deeper understanding of trauma and its impact on the brain, body, and behavior. Training will focus on recognizing the signs of trauma in the people we serve, increasing awareness of our own responses to stress, preventing re-traumatization, and developing practical strategies that foster healing, resilience, and recovery.

Because caring for others has an impact, staff will also learn to recognize and address vicarious trauma—the cumulative emotional and psychological effects that can result from repeatedly supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. By building awareness and resilience, we can better care for ourselves, support one another, and continue providing compassionate, trauma-informed services every day.

We also recognize that resilience looks different for everyone. While professional training provides staff with practical tools for navigating the emotional demands of human service work, opportunities to recharge, connect, and find joy outside of the workplace are equally important.

Through the generosity of Retreat Farm, WellnessWorks will offer employees complimentary tickets to select community events, including the popular Summer Food Truck Roundup. These opportunities are designed to encourage staff to step away from the demands of their work, spend time with family and colleagues, and enjoy the community they help strengthen every day.

By combining evidence-based trauma-informed education with opportunities for connection, recreation, and renewal, Groundworks is investing in a resilient workforce that is better equipped to care for others while caring for themselves.

As Brattleboro continues to imagine and shape its future through initiatives like NextGen Brattleboro, Groundworks remains committed to being a partner in building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. Our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to safety, dignity, and opportunity.

By embedding trauma-informed principles throughout our continuum of services and our organizational culture, we are investing in stronger programs, stronger teams, and a stronger community. Together, we can help create a healthier and more resilient Brattleboro where every person has the opportunity not only to survive, but to thrive.