Healing, Empowering, And Rebuilding Together
Models of peer support focus on a cultural, shared, lived experience, with an emphasis on the resilience of the individuals involved. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have repeatedly shown these programs have offered solidarity and healing support to communities in need of an additional option to traditional behavioral healthcare services. Peer support is known to have benefits for both the supporter and the receiver as the roles and relationships fluctuate and more formal services are included (when needed).
The Resiliency & Justice Center has collaborated with a nationally recognized expert to create a community peer support program for individuals who have been personally impacted by mass violence: Healing, Empowering, And Rebuilding Together (HEART).
What Do Volunteers Do?
HEART Peers Mentors are dedicated volunteers who have been personally impacted by Route 91 or other incidents of mass violence. They complete a rigorous training and certification process to offer services on an individual basis. They are well-versed in evidence-based best practices to support each other and also have the benefit and guidance of licensed (or otherwise vetted) providers and clinicians known as “HEART Coaches.”
HEART Coaches are volunteer trauma-informed providers and clinicians who must complete their own training process based on the HEART model.
Feel free to contact the HEART Team at heartpeer91@gmail.com, 702-455-2433, or 1-833-299-2433 for more information about this initiative. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a HEART Peer Mentor or HEART Coach, please complete an Interest Form:First Tuesdays with HEART
Everyone involved with the HEART program is invited to monthly, online meetings about relevant topics with mental health professionals and individuals around the globe. First Tuesdays with HEART is open to anyone impacted by mass violence, including (but not limited to) survivors, family and friends of those impacted, responders, hospital staff, community members, therapists, and others.
You can register for an upcoming meeting (usually held the first Tuesday of each month over Zoom) through 1sttuesdays.eventbrite.com or click here to learn more about the program.