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Ariana is an incredibly vivacious young adult. She was sexually assaulted by her best friend while in high school and again while working for the CDC in another country. Although she has always had a strong support system, the assaults challenged those relationships and her own view of herself. Ariana initially sought individual counseling support at the Wendt Center to explore the impact of her experiences, and is continuing to work with her therapist at the Wendt Center to explore how being a woman in the United States impacts her ability to step into her own power. Ariana worked with her therapist to talk through the impact of each instance of sexual assault as well as the cumulative impact of being assaulted more than once. Initially, she struggled to honor her own boundaries while trusting that they would not be violated again. Through the process of therapy, she’s learned how to listen to and honor her voice and to use it as a tool for others. Ariana developed the ability to hold her own story gently and with compassion, and describes herself now as her “full freedom self” – a self that is authentic, powerful, and both vulnerable and strong.

Andre grew up living primarily with his aunt, and often spent time with his mother. After Andre’s mother developed cancer, his aunt had the difficult task of sharing with Andre that his mother died on his birthday. Although Andre continued living with his aunt, the loss of his mother was a very difficult experience for him. At his school, Andre participated in a group through the Wendt Resilient Scholars Project (RSP). In group, he learned skills that helped him cope with feelings about his mom and connect with other students who had been through challenges.

Through work with his therapist, Andre learned more about grief and trauma and was able to allow and express feelings associated with his loss. He created a book about his experiences and shifted from not knowing what to say about his mom to talking about her in a strong, confident voice. With his aunt, Andre came up with a way to both celebrate his birthday and honor his mom’s life. When talking about their feelings of grief and loss, Andre and his aunt are more confident with one another. Now, Andre lifts his head when he talks about his mom and his experience of grief.

Chase loved spending time with his grandma. One day while visiting, Chase witnessed his grandma’s sudden death from a heart attack. Only 10 years old, Chase was devastated. Chase’s school referred him to the Wendt Center where he worked with a therapist to explore his trauma and learned how to allow his feelings. Chase’s therapist then recommended the Wendt Center’s grief camp so Chase could meet other grieving children and share memories of his grandma and her death in a safe, supportive space.

Chase’s mom worried about sending him to camp alone and about providing everything he would need. So, Chase’s therapist encouraged her to send along his siblings. DONORS LIKE YOU provided everything Chase and his siblings needed to attend camp for free. Grief camp gave Chase’s family much more than a fun weekend. It gave them skills to talk about and remember their grandma in healthy ways.