Family Trauma
Breakout Session 2024
Create solutions to tackle the cycle of family trauma. Participation in this work will assist in breaking cycles of abuse and fostering healthier family dynamics, which contribute to the overall mental health and stability of the community.
What to Expect:
In this session, we will introduce a comprehensive rubric designed to empower youth, parents, and caregivers with the language and tools necessary to advocate for themselves or the young people in their care. This rubric is not only a guide for self-advocacy but also a framework for setting meaningful goals that foster healing and growth. Participants will also have the opportunity to hear from frontline providers about the methods they use to support youth experiencing trauma. This interactive discussion aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to improve the well-being of affected families.
Meet the Speakers!
Beats Rhymes and Life
Hip-Hop Therapy
Beats Rhymes and Life Hip Hop Therapy is a strength-based model of therapy, working with and enhancing the skills and abilities intrinsic within adolescents, viewing them as adaptive and resourceful. The model combines narrative & expressive arts therapy with youth development principles, using Therapeutic Activity Groups to inspire youth to recognize their capacity for healing and self-expression. Beats, Rhymes and Life draws on therapies that are not pathology based, but client-centered in nature, including Narrative Therapy, Self -Psychology, Trauma Theory and Group Work Theory. It also draws on a youth development framework to understand what is happening for them; addressing the neurological, social and interpersonal shifts taking place during adolescence around identity formulation, family systems and cultural expectations. The model is built on Clinical Social Work principles which consider the social conditions that are affecting mental health conditions, including discrimination, power dynamics, and social climates that impact our youth.
Joel Richards
Project Developer for the Boston Trauma Healing Collaborative
Joel RIchards (B.A. M.Ed) was a public school teacher for 17 years. As a community advocate, Mr. Richards is a board member of Little Saigon where he works to support the vibrant and historic Vietnamese community in Dorchester. He also served as President of the Fields Corner Main Street where he planned and implemented community events and directly helped businesses navigate the chaos of COVID. In the aftermath of COVID and the long summer of 2020, Mr. Richards saw the need for Dorchester to come together in celebration of one another. That is why he founded and is still the head planner for the Dorchester Juneteenth Celebration. Mr. Richards is also a pastor where he delivers sermons across Boston preaching on the need to bridge divides and return to values of unity and justice. Mr. RIchards is currently building a youth trauma database with the Boston Collaborative to better serve the young people of Boston.
Christopher Bolder
As a seasoned consultant, visionary, and philanthropic leader, Christopher Bolder has dedicated his life to igniting change and fostering hope in communities across the globe. With a passion for empowering both men and women of all ages, Christopher traverses far and wide, inspiring hearts, and catalyzing positive shifts.
Whether engaging with youth in local neighborhoods, offering solace in correctional facilities, or lending a compassionate ear, Christopher is committed to making a difference. His journey, marked by personal triumph over adversity, fuels his mission to guide others towards rehabilitation and restoration. Hailing from the quaint town of Kannapolis, North Carolina, Christopher's early years were fraught with hardship. Raised by grandparents after enduring domestic turmoil, he navigated a path riddled with uncertainty, culminating in a youthful brush with the law and subsequent incarceration. Yet, from the crucible of his experiences emerged a beacon of resilience and redemption. Today, Christopher stands as an esteemed author, dynamic public speaker, and esteemed psychologist. Through individual counseling, motivational speaking engagements, and specialized coaching, he empowers countless individuals seeking fresh starts and second chances. Christopher's academic journey has been as diverse as his professional pursuits, with studies at the University of NC State, the Center for Public Relations, and Theological Seminary School of Ministry, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Ministry. Having pastored and planted two churches, he continues to deepen his understanding of criminal justice through studies at GCU. As the founder of "Bolder Faith," a non-profit organization advocating for the marginalized, Christopher amplifies the voices of the silenced. His literary contributions, including works such as "Broken," "Echoes," and "Bolder Faith," serve as poignant testaments to his commitment to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. Embark on a journey of empowerment and renewal with Christopher Bolder, where each encounter is an invitation to embrace a brighter future and unlock the full potential within.