Freedom Beyond Abuse Programs
Grace’s Place Foundation’s programs fulfill a need that isn’t being addressed for sustainable change in the lives of women and children who have been harmed by domestic violence.
This program lasts for a full year to allow time for growth and healing.
This isn’t just about recovery, for there is a different path. Recovery implies a return to the previous state prior to the abuse. That isn’t possible. This program helps women move to a new level of being that incorporates the past experiences and opens up new possibilities for the future.
One Year Program
The programs are based on scientific proof of the components of post traumatic growth and state-of-the-art research on trauma. Some of the sources for our program design include:
- Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun – Post Traumatic Growth
- Besssel van der Kolk – The Body Keeps the Score
- Paul Conti – Trauma – The Invisible Epidemic
- Richard Schwartz – Internal Family Systems
- Kazimierz Dabrowski – Theory of Positive Disintegration
Research Based
One of the most important aspects of post traumatic growth is having a loving and supportive community. Not everyone has that available, particularly after the abuser has alienated the victim’s family and friends as they often do. The program provides a supportive community both during and after the program.
Community
Addressing the Needs of the Children
A crucial part of any program that intends to end the cycle of abuse is addressing the needs of the children. We prepare women to be single parents and help their children to learn a way of being in the world that doesn’t involve violence of any kind. Most parenting models come from an assumption that the parents are already healthy and whole people.
We would not be successful if we put that kind of pressure on a parent who is herself hurting and healing. Our program comes from a place that accepts that the mother is not going to be perfect and uses that as a model for the children to see how even adults learn and grow.
Feedback from participants in DV programs by Janet Grace:
Program Model
- Uses story as a preferred method of introducing new information, because we all learn and remember best through story
- Incorporates modeling and experiential learning, the methods used most naturally by humans from the moment we’re born
- Is holistic taking into consideration the body, mind and spirit – note – this program is not affiliated with any religion
- Incorporates sharing and bonding between program participants with learning groups that can carry on beyond the one year of the program
- Is continually mindful of the fragile nature of recovery from trauma while maintaining faith in the ultimate power and strength of the women who participate
- Includes feedback and measurement to ensure program results and allow for continuous improvement
Virtual Program
Freedom Beyond Abuse is a one-year virtual program designed for women after they exit an emergency shelter or are otherwise free from their abuser. Online meetings are held once per week with opportunities for coaching and peer connections between meetings. The content in this program is based on recent research into trauma integration and Post Traumatic Growth (PTG).
The program provides the community, compassion and humanity needed for a full recovery. It is a holistic approach that addresses the deep impact of trauma on the body, mind and spirit.
Program starts September 7th, 2023.
Residential Program
Grace’s Place residential program offers the unique and valuable experience of living in a community dedicated to peace, love and transformation. To live an experience is quite another way of learning. Of course the Freedom Beyond Abuse program content is a part of the experience. However we are able to offer so much more in person. Community gardens, shared meals, socializing with women who understand what you’re going through and support your transformation with whole hearts are just a few of the benefits of the residential program.
