SURVIVORS’ recently held a gardening Healing Club – clients, staff, and interpreters traveled to Heritage Park in Old Town to pot a plant as a way of healing together in community. Gardening is a peaceful and mindful practice. Many torture survivors find they forget about their traumatic experiences when they are outdoors, smelling fresh soil, and cradling a seedling in their hands.
The torture survivors came from all over the world, from places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, and Guatemala, and the enjoyed meeting one another and sharing a bit about their hobbies and activities in San Diego. Many garden on their own, and taught those new to gardening some of their favorite tricks and tips.
Then Lauren Widak, MSW intern, began the activity by encouraging everyone to be as present as possible in what they were doing, to enjoy each other’s company, and to take in every ounce of the activity. They started by writing down a special memory, prayer, hope, dream, or wish on a piece of paper, this way their plant will grow from this special writing into a healing piece for them to nurture and care for. One client wrote, “I wish to see peace and a world without war and violence.” Then many clients chose to paint the pots their favorite colors, or their children’s favorite colors, others wrote down their children’s name on the pot to think of them every time they took care of their plant.
Lauren says, “It meant a lot for me to see each other sharing their powerful messages of hopes and dreams for the world to grow. It was heartwarming to see the group interact with one another sharing and discussing their plant of choice. Overall I really enjoyed watching each group member provide a sense of community healing through the assistance towards one another.”
In the presence of nature and peace, clients were able to write very personal messages and share them with a group of people. For torture survivors, cut off from love and beauty by so much destruction, it can be life changing to watch a plant grow out of a personal message. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and conversing at the end of the day.
We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or immigration status.
SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.
To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.
Pro-Bono volunteer physicians perform medical evaluations for clients’ asylum cases. Physicians write medical affidavits for attorneys to present in court, documenting that there is physical evidence of torture. Medical evaluations are always done in person, either at SURVIVORS’ office or a secondary location. Interpreters are provided for this service. Applicant’s medical licenses must be up to date.
Contractors accept clients for individual, couples or family therapy on a case-by-case basis. You choose your availability and create your own schedule. Therapy sessions may occur in your office setting in the community, Survivors’ office space, in-home, or via telemedicine. SURVIVORS provides compensation for your work. We will also provide professional interpreters to work with you.
You are not alone. We’re here to help. We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or legal status.
SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.
To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.
PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES
SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.
MEDICAL SERVICES
SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.
PSYCHIATRY
SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.
PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION
SURVIVORS facilitates professional, trauma-informed interpretation so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.
HEALING CLUB
SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.
AYSLUM SUPPORT
SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.
ASYLUM SUPPORT
SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.
MEDICAL SERVICES
SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses.
PSYCHIATRY
SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.
HEALING CLUB
SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.
INTERPRETERS
SURVIVORS partners with professional, trauma-informed interpreters so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.