Trauma
ACEs, Childhood Trauma And Healing
I have spent the majority of my career in mental health, working with youth and young adults, so I know that what happens to you as a child plays a significant role in the person you become. When we’re young, our brain is elastic and ready to adapt to our circumstances. Our surroundings teach us…
Read MoreStrengthening Communities, Promoting Peace
Gun violence and gun control has become a highly politicized topic of discussion in America. In the past few years, as we lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in news coverage about school shootings, protests and demonstrations, police brutality and deadly crimes. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of…
Read MoreCHRIS 180 Commemorates Recovery Month with Resource Fair
Resource fair highlights substance use recovery programs during National Recovery Month Atlanta-based mental health nonprofit CHRIS 180 will host its first fair highlighting the organization’s programs and services available for those on their journey of recovering from addiction. The community is invited to attend the event Saturday, October 2, at CHRIS 180 located at 1030…
Read More180 Change: Jocelyn Shares Her Story
At just 12-years-old, Jocelyn had her first encounter with CHRIS 180. Her grandmother was looking for help after taking in Jocelyn and her brother, in the wake of their mother’s issues with substance use. Knowing that both children had experienced significant trauma, the family turned to our Keeping Families Together program. Jocelyn’s involvement with CHRIS…
Read MoreCHRIS 180 Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Motherhood Housing Initiative
Home for neighborhood matriarch will provide stability for young mothers CHRIS 180, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing trauma-informed holistic health services to children, youth and families, held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the launch of a project to stabilize families on Atlanta’s Westside. CHRIS 180 partnered with the MicroLife Institute to construct…
Read MoreEscaping the Everyday: Healthy Ways to Cope with Life Stressors
We all need rest to function well in each area of our lives. Sleep, exercise, video games and spending time with loved ones are a few examples of activities commonly used to recharge. But sometimes, what you think is a break is actually a form of escapism that saps your time and energy. CHRIS 180…
Read MoreEmotional Trauma: How Post-Traumatic Stress Impacts Our Brains
Often when the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is used, it is associated with members of the military, especially war veterans. As times change and people become more familiar with trauma and its impact on each of our lives, we are starting to recognize just how the stress connected to past and present events impacts…
Read MoreThe Impact of Therapy on LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Michelle’s Story When Michelle lost her housing, a friend told her about CHRIS 180 and our Drop-In Center. The Drop-In Center provides a range of free services for youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness. These services include meals, life coaching, job and housing assistance and walk-in therapy sessions. But Michelle was hesitant. She had…
Read MoreCelebrating Fathers and Changing Lives at Cure Violence’s Fatherhood Sessions
For Johnny Brown, Fatherhood Session Coordinator at CHRIS 180’s Violence Prevention Program, helping fathers is a calling. “All of us are on this journey of being fathers,” Johnny shared. “We work with participants to learn the life skills to be able to work, stay out of trouble and start talking about what it takes to…
Read MoreBringing a Mother’s Love to Children in Foster Care
Valancia Abdullah considers it her calling to care for youth who some may think of as “challenged.” After working with special needs students at Atlanta Public Schools, in 2000, she joined CHRIS 180’s foster care program. She serves as a Resident Assistant. The kids affectionately refer to her as Ms. Val. “The RA to me…
Read More