After Trauma Support in East Hants GoFundMe campaign (hosted by Amy Seymour): ​https://www.gofundme.com/f/after-trauma-support-in-east-hants

ATEN Community Heroes Quilt Fundraiser: community-heroes-quilt-fundraiser.html

Donations in any amount can be e-transfered to ATEN directly at info@atenns.ca

Dear Nova Scotia Government, colleagues and community;

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this letter.

In January 2020, I Co-founded the After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, to meet a high need and demand for a community-based, not-for-profit resource to address multiple forms of trauma (i.e., sexualized violence, abuse, assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and exploitation, intergenerational trauma, vicarious, homicide, etc) and those living with the mental health impact. ATEN offers barrier-free trauma-informed counselling therapy, support and resources to all gender individuals, families and communities affected by trauma. I currently have a caseload of over 50 clients and a waitlist of over 20 people wanting to access services. Over the past two years we have provided services and supports to over 275 people across Nova Scotia.

For over two years I have been contacting different departments in our provincial government to schedule an urgent meeting to discuss core operational funding. I either get no reply or get a message to try again in two months. This has been going on for over two years now. We have not had any funding or financial support from either our municipal or provincial government since we began operating. I am exhausted and frustrated.

To date, our operational expenses (i.e., rent, phone, internet, office supplies) have been paid from donations, fundraisers and out-of-pocket. I have been volunteering full-time my professional services since March 2022.
We very much value and appreciate all of the much-needed support we have received from our community, Nova Scotia and Canada.

ATEN’s services and supports are “life-saving” and invaluable to those who have experienced trauma and those who support them.

It breaks my heart to share with you that ATEN will have to close our doors by August 1, 2022 unless we acquire bridge/core funding, or a miracle.

If you would like to help and support, please consider emailing:
Minister of Health & Wellness, Honourable Michelle Thompson - Health.Minister@novascotia.ca
Minister of Mental Health & Addictions Honourable Brian Comer - MentalHealth.Minister@novascotia.ca
Deputy Minister of Health & Wellness and Mental Health & Addictions Jeannine Lagassé - jeannine.lagasse@novascotia.ca

With this fundraiser, we are offering businesses, organizations and individuals the unique opportunity to show their community support by purchasing a quilt square or heart on our Community Heroes Quilt.

The name of the business, individual, In Loving Memory of…, or words of encouragement will be embroidered on the quilt space they purchase.

The finished quilt will be displayed at the ATEN office and various local businesses and organizations and all names will be posted on our Community Heroes webpage.

All funds raised will go directly toward ATEN services and helping those who have experienced trauma.

Benefits of Buying a Quilt Square

• Support a local non-profit organization
• Support individuals/families who have experienced trauma
• Support and enhances sense of connection with community
• Support individuals who need your support
• Inspire others
• Contribute to your own happiness of giving
• Helps make the world and community a better place
• Be a community hero​

We are currently accepting submissions for our 2023 Kindfulness Calendar fundraiser.
​Deadline for submissions is June 20, 2022 

To view our 2022 Kindfulness Calendar click here.

Peer Support Specialist & Trainer
One Year Term Position – May 2022-May 2023
Part-time (21 hours week)
Hourly rate: $30/hr
Location: Shubenacadie/East Hants, Nova Scotia
Closing date for applications: May 2, 2022 (11:59pm)
 
The After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) is a non-profit organization in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, that empowers all gender individuals, families and communities affected by and living with the mental health impact from trauma, violence and abuse. Our vision is to improve the lives, well-being and functioning of individuals, families and communities affected by trauma so we can live in a world where individuals, families and communities affected by trauma live an empowered life to reach their fullest potential. For more information visit www.atenns.ca. 
 
We are seeking a compassionate trauma-informed Peer Support Specialist & Trainer to assist and guide our clients as well as facilitate peer support training programs. As the Peer Support Specialist, you will be required to work with clients and conduct regular one-on-one support meetings, develop recovery strategies, use your experience and knowledge to provide highly individualized services with clients and in the community, promote individual self-determination and decision-making to individuals who have experienced trauma, violence and abuse. In addition, you will be required to facilitate Peer Support Training to individuals from the community.
 
Peer Support Specialist Responsibilities:
 

• Meet with clients regularly to offer one-on-one support. Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery using one-on-one and group sessions. During these sessions you will support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
• Provide support to individuals who have experienced trauma to assist them to regain control over their own lives and support them in their recovery process.
• Develop recovery plans, coping methods, empowerment skills and self-help strategies with clients.
• Integrate own recovery process and lived experience of the mental health system to support clients with their recovery journeys.
• Promote and encourage clients’ independence, hope, self – determination and recovery.
• Organize and facilitate groups for support, social, and educational purposes.
• Teach and model the value of every individual’s unique recovery experience.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the trauma and mental health field by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials.
• Build and maintain a strong network of community partners within the region for the purpose of collaborative care and referrals.
• Facilitate Trauma-informed Peer Support Training Programs to registered participants.
• Ethical commitment to the informed consent process, client confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality in practice.

 
Peer Support Specialist Requirements:
 

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver's license and own transportation
• Trauma-informed practices/principles

• Completion of Peer Support Training Certification

• At least one year of experience as a peer support specialist
• Personal lived experience with trauma, violence, abuse or mental health conditions.
• Willingness to share that lived experience in a relevant and appropriate manner, maintaining peer/client boundaries
• Comfort with and sensitivity to working with individuals who experienced trauma, violence and abuse and mental health challenges
• Ability to work with clients integrating recovery and empowerment principles
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently (self-motivated) and within a team environment
• Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently; perform tasks on an established schedule
• Proficiency in English; strong oral and written communication skills
• Computer competent (MS Word, E-Mail, Internet)
• A satisfactory and current criminal records and vulnerable sector check
• CPR/First Aid
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills
• Highly compassionate and attentive to detail
• Ability to establish priorities and boundaries
• Ability to make decisions with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of client support services and resources within the community
• Excellent assessment and crisis intervention skills
• Ability to work with a variety of clients, and in different work situations

 
The After Trauma Empowerment Network is a trauma-informed environment that is characterized by respect, choice & inclusion. We strive to reflect the diversity of the community. We are committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.
 
Funding for this Peer Support Specialist position provided by the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
 
Cover letters and resumes/CVs are invited by email to info@atenns.ca (Subject: Peer Support Specialist).
Only applicants to be interviewed will be contacted. No phone calls please.

WE HAVE SOLD ALL THE PINS and WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

The After Trauma Empowerment Network (ATEN) is partnering with Leanna MacLeod in a fundraising initiative to raise money in support of the people in the Ukraine. While we are far away we want to reach out in some way to offer our support and caring.

Leanna MacLeod is a proud Mi’Kmaq woman, artist and crafter. She also a wonderful resource and volunteer at ATEN. Leanna designed a pin called Teardrop of Hope & Freedom. She will create a limited run of 100 pins to be sold for a minimum donation of $50.00 for each pin. Each pin is numbered and signed by Leanna.

There have been many tears shed since the violence and bombing has started in the Ukraine. The tear is made of blue leather and has a backing of birch bark. Blue is one of the two stripes in the Ukrainian Flag. The colour blue represents the deep blue of the sky over the Ukraine. It also symbolizes freedom, trust loyalty, wisdom, confidence and faith.

Each teardrop has a yellow Sunflower beaded in the center. The Sunflower is the flower of the Ukraine. It is the colour of the second stripe in the flag. Yellow represents the golden wheat fields swaying in the breezes. Yellow also symbolizes hope, positivity, joy, honour and loyalty. Each Sunflower has a beaded green stem and at the end of each stem is a gold bead. Green is comforting and calming and is a colour found in nature. The gold bead at the end of each stem represents the many valuable resources found in the Ukraine including it’s brave, strong and resilient people.

​Each pin has a backing hand sewn to the leather teardrop made of birch. Birch is used for many things including canoe and container making. It is water resistant and strong. Mi’kmaq Artists and Crafters use use birch in many of their crafts and artwork.

All money will be donated to Ukrainian relief.

Hi, my name is Emma Palumbo. I am a gender fluid individual who goes by they/she and I am a current counselling intern with ATEN.

I am originally from so called Toronto and am a white settler on Turtle Island. I was raised in a large Italian family who immigrated to this land in the 1950’s. I was raised by many people in my family, but I spent a lot of time with my grandmother or Nonna who taught me many of the values I still hold today – compassion, empathy, generosity and mutual aid. I moved to Mi’kma’ki or Nova Scotia almost three years ago to begin a new chapter in my life – I lived on the North Shore, the Annapolis Valley and I now reside in Kjipuktuk, also know as Halifax and am currently completing my Master of Education in Counselling Psychology at Acadia University.

I have been engaged in social justice, community organizing and mutual aid for over half my life and I now enter this field of counselling from a place of learning and commitment to continued growth. I have a degree in social work with a background in food justice as well as peer grief counselling. I am a trauma survivor and I think that healing is an ongoing process that happens in relation to others and often in community. I am also a cook, a gardener, and a farmer - most of what I do in life is related to food and land.

I am passionate about sitting with others as a witness to their journey of moving through pain, grief, trauma, and challenges but also working together to imagine possibilities for joy, hope, resilience, strength and love. Stories are also important to me and a way that I make sense of myself and the world. Stories inform how I approach counselling practice and relationships.

Some of my interests include: cooking with and for others and sharing meals together, delivering cookies to anyone and everyone, uninhibited dancing, being in the woods, playing music (I play the bass!), listening to records, swimming and hanging out with my weird dog.