PEACE4TARPON
Trauma Informed Community Initiative
The City of Tarpon Springs is spearheading a Trauma Informed Community Initiative called Peace 4 Tarpon which holds the
vision of our community becoming a place where children and families are safe, healthy, cared for and educated.
Almost everyone in this world has experienced some form of trauma during their life. A Trauma Informed Community
is one which is working to address trauma, its causes and consequences. For many, the word trauma brings to mind a vision of
bodily harm or injury but trauma by definition is the negative impact of experiences or events that happen to children, adults
and communities as a result of physical, economic, psychological or environment assault. Trauma may include physical, emotional
and/or sexual abuse. There is no trauma free zone in this world! Peace 4 Tarpon TICI began in response to understanding
the universality of trauma and is already gaining some National attention. Several Cities around the United States are watching
our evolving model very closely.
The broad-based support we are encouraging and working toward is so unusual for a city, that recently, Mayor Archie
was invited to Washington, D.C. to present at the Federal level what Tarpon Springs is doing. We want to make sure that everyone
in our Community is not only aware of this endeavor but also becomes involved and takes pride in what our City
is undertaking.
Although Peace 4 Tarpon Trauma Informed Community Initiative began only a little over a year ago, we already have many
partners who are working with us. We are pleased and grateful to have many partners and supporters throughout the city including
Our Mayor's Office, H.R. department, City Manager, Tarpon Springs' Police Department, Tarpon Springs' Fire Rescue,
Helen Ellis Hospital, our Library, Community Health Center, the Shepherd Center, Cops and Kids Program, Citizen's Alliance
for Progress Family Center, Boys and Girls Club, St. Petersburg College, the Leepa Rattner Museum of Art, the Housing Authority,
the Suncoast Center, several of our churches, schools, and others. We have also formed an alliance with the Juvenile
Welfare Board and Pinellas County Schools as Tarpon Springs was selected as the location for the North County Children's
Initiative with special focus on Tarpon Elementary.
Peace 4 Tarpon is the ribbon that weaves together the various groups, agencies, individuals and systems already in place who
work toward meaningful, positive change and healing, reducing trauma and promoting peace. The root cause of many challenges
facing our City is violence, which creates trauma. The challenges are wide-ranging, including such things as homelessness,
domestic violence, crime, and many others. The idea is that if we come together, we can address many of these issues in a
meaningful way. Our City of approximately 24,000 people is small enough for us to truly make a difference if we are unified and
work toward our common goals. There are resource materials available that discuss an overview of Trauma Informed Care and
these are available from various sources including our Tarpon Springs Library which has already compiled a selection of videos
and books. Our facebook page is a great place to learn more about this initiative, so visit www.facebook.com/Peace4Tarpon and
you can find interviews, articles, and other information. You can also see beautiful informative Peace4Tarpon posters around
town. It is our hope that the Tarpon Springs of tomorrow will be a healthier, more thriving community where everyone is valued,
cared for and whose needs are met.
The Trauma Informed Initiative has not only taken root but also is gaining energy and growing quickly. We now have
many committed partners and are working toward more engagement with our community members. As we reach out into the
community, we will have greater numbers of community members and peer supporters join us.
If you would like to become involved in this Initiative or have any questions, please contact us.
Please offer what peace/piece you can.
By Robin Saenger
