Kingsessing Heals

Program Services

Community Resilience Model

The Kingsessing Heals Community Resilience Center programs and services are grounded in the Community Resilience Model (CRM), which focuses on building individual and collective capacity to withstand, adapt, and recover from adverse experiences. This model emphasizes the importance of social connections, shared resources, and collective problem-solving abilities within the community. The CRM involves identifying key assets and vulnerabilities, developing robust communication networks, fostering leadership, and creating flexible systems that can quickly respond to changing circumstances.

The CRM underlies all our programs, emphasizing:

Building awareness of body sensations
Developing skills to self-regulate (resourcing and grounding/ Mindfulness)
Increasing social connections and a sense of belonging
Fostering hopes & self-efficacy
Psychological First Aid

Key Programs

Peer Specialist Mental Health Advocates:

This program trains and employs individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges to provide support, guidance, and advocacy for others navigating similar experiences. Key Components Include. Peer specialists work in various settings including community centers and outreach programs. They complement traditional mental health services by offering unique insights and relatable support based on personal experiences.

Training in peer support techniques, active listening, and crisis intervention
One-on-one mentoring and group facilitation skills
Advocacy training to help peers navigate healthcare systems
Ongoing supervision and professional development opportunities

Purpose Statement

In response to the mass shooting on July 2^nd and 3^rd in the Kingsessing community, the Kingsessing Heals Community Resiliency Center will provide a safe, healing space where those impacted by mass violence can access the support and services needed to foster resilience and renewed well-being in the aftermath of tragedy. With a strengths-based engagement, trauma-informed care lens, and an understanding of the ongoing process of positively adapting to life-changing events, we aim to uplift and empower survivors, families, first responders, and the community on their journey from hurt to hope. By offering resilience navigation, service coordination, behavioral health support, and community connection in an environment of compassion, we will walk alongside those affected, helping to lighten the burden of trauma and nurturing the strength and resilience inherent in the human spirit. Together, we can move forward in honoring the lost and changed by tragedy through our commitment to support, heal, and build a more resilient community for all.