Support Trauma Drama University!
Help us start a movement! We offer a free parent support program online, along with a gift shop to raise awareness of childhood trauma!
Project Description
Heal Childhood Trauma for a Healthier Society
Trauma Drama University is THE place for parents to start when they discover the regular parenting books aren’t working. TDU is a two-sided business: a support program for parents in the trenches and a trendy gift shop to raise awareness for childhood trauma disorders and their impact on society. Proceeds from the store allow us to offer this program for free so that parents can use their resources for other therapies and treatments that often aren’t covered by insurance.
Why is this Needed?
Here’s the problem: early life traumas related to losing or mistrusting a parent (even temporarily) can rewire the brain, causing it to get stuck in the “fight or flight” mode. A child stuck in this hypervigilance lashes out in anger and cannot be reasoned with by using sticker charts or reward systems. Therapeutic parenting is often counterintuitive, and finding resources can be an uphill battle. Trauma Drama University currently offers a 4-part online course that describes the trauma impact on the brain, teaches tips for achieving a healing mindset, describes symptoms of PTSD in caregivers (which is all too common), and describes some of the therapies and treatments that are helpful for these kids. We also have a private support board where parents can get advice from others who've been there, and a monthly zoom session introducing these families to experts that can help.
Trauma is the gateway to the criminal justice system and if we can help these parents and children heal together, we will create a healthier and safer society.
I am a Trauma Mama...
Why am I so passionate about this? Well, I had to learn it the hard way. My son was neglected by a foster mom before we adopted him and we struggled for over a decade; desperately trying to help him overcome severe anxiety, anger, and violence. I was a victim of abuse by the one person I was unable to leave; but we now have an incredible success story which I have documented in my memoir, Love Never Quits, and also on the TEDx stage:
Watch TEDx: https://www.ted.com/talks/gina_heumann_childhood_trauma_affects_us_all
The Money Thing...
I am raising $15,000 to properly advertise, grow my audience, pay off some of the business expenses that have accumulated on my credit card, as well as collecting some inventory for pop-up events... we need to get this movement off the ground. Just as people wear pink for breast cancer, I want them to wear trauma hearts to help heal childhood trauma. I want people to start talking about this and bonding together to ensure no child has to fall through the cracks. I want to give this away to anyone who needs it.
Treatments and therapies for trauma are often not covered for children. The expenses add up quickly as the child worsens; and some therapeutic boarding schools cost upwards of $10,000 a MONTH. As a RAD parent myself, I often felt as if we were bleeding money - we sacrificed vacations, home repairs, and all kinds of things to help us find some peace, I worked extra jobs from home; and still we were drowning in debt. Asking a RAD parent for money is like asking a homeless person to donate food. We had decent jobs and family support, but many do not; and that's why I can't in good conscience charge money for this program.
Check out the TDU Store!
We have some incredible products in our store that you can purchase to show your support, and we also thank you for monetary donations to the campaign. Together we can help heal lots of kids so they can grow up to be productive members of society!
Shop here: www.tduproducts.com
Wear Trauma Hearts to show your support of Healing Early Childhood Trauma... it takes a Village!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why are you asking for money?
Most new business owners need capital to get their organization up and running. I feel strongly about keeping the online program free, so we are pursuing nonprofit status, but don't have it officially yet. As more and more clients sign up for the program (we have over 100 now...), I need to put more time into the business. This is a business I began to help others, not to get rich. - What are your plans for this investment?
I hope to use the money to purchase some inventory so that I can offer my products at events throughout town: resource markets, health fairs, etc. to start getting the word out. I also hope to spend some money on PR, advertising, and publishing press releases so that this can become a social movement. Ideally, I'd love to help every foster care organization in the US revamp their training and offer respite. I'd love to set up a national respite app where we can properly train caregivers and send them out to help parents who desperately need a break. Mental health is finally starting to get some attention so the time is right to push for sweeping societal change. - Are my donations tax-deductible?
Sorry, my accountant says they are not; but be sure to check with yours as well. We do not currently have 501(c)3 status. This is why we are offering rewards. I am also happy to do something for you in return if there's something you can think of... I'm pretty good at logo design, explainer videos, online courses, PowerPoints, websites, blogs, or anything that needs writing or designing! I would also love to speak to your organization if they'd be interested. - What is the status on becoming a 501c3?
We passed the round 1 interview stage with the Colorado NonProfit Development Center and are now working on the application process. If we pass, we can become a nonprofit under their umbrella, so that they help with all the legalities. - Why is childhood trauma such a big deal?
If a child with early trauma (neglect or abuse; but also divorce, separation due to medical issues, deployment, prison; more frequent in adopted/foster kids) does not receive the proper healing, mental health issues persist into adulthood and interfere with the ability to discern right from wrong. Trauma is the gateway to the prison system. - Any famous criminals with Reactive Attachment Disorder?
In fact, way too many. The Oklahoma City Bomber, Parkland Shooter, several serial killers, etc. No parent wants to think that's their child's future; so let's prevent it from happening! - Tell us about the logo:
The TRAUMA HEART represents love, hope, and healing. Wearing it helps de-stigmatize children's mental health and shows others that you care.
Represent TDU in this limited edition AMBASSADOR t-shirt as you raise awareness for childhood trauma and reactive attachment disorder.
Thank you for sharing your kindness with a monetary donation!
We'll thank you with a hug or a fist-bump, along with a shout-out on social media! You'll also get a TDU sticker you can proudly display on your water bottle, computer, or elsewhere to help us raise awareness.
Receive one of our "IT TAKES A VILLAGE" coffee mugs to remind yourself that nobody parents in a vacuum!
Travel around town with your TDU duffle bag so you can help spread the word about childhood trauma & RAD
Keynote address or 1-hour workshop at your fundraiser or event. Schedule must be arranged with Gina in advance. Does not include travel outside of the Denver metro area.
Represent TDU in this limited edition Ansel rain jacket as you raise awareness for childhood trauma & reactive attachment disorder!
Take this sturdy, great-looking co-pilot wheeled bag with you on your travels and spark conversations with strangers about your dedication to healing childhood trauma in order to promote a healthier society.
Utilize Gina's eLearning talents to create your own online course or explainer video. Online course must not exceed 25 slides. Will include professionally recorded and edited voiceover. Explainer video must not exceed 3 minutes total. You write the script. Gina will design!
Rewards
Represent TDU in this limited edition AMBASSADOR t-shirt as you raise awareness for childhood trauma and reactive attachment disorder.
Thank you for sharing your kindness with a monetary donation!
We'll thank you with a hug or a fist-bump, along with a shout-out on social media! You'll also get a TDU sticker you can proudly display on your water bottle, computer, or elsewhere to help us raise awareness.
Receive one of our "IT TAKES A VILLAGE" coffee mugs to remind yourself that nobody parents in a vacuum!
Travel around town with your TDU duffle bag so you can help spread the word about childhood trauma & RAD
Keynote address or 1-hour workshop at your fundraiser or event. Schedule must be arranged with Gina in advance. Does not include travel outside of the Denver metro area.
Represent TDU in this limited edition Ansel rain jacket as you raise awareness for childhood trauma & reactive attachment disorder!
Take this sturdy, great-looking co-pilot wheeled bag with you on your travels and spark conversations with strangers about your dedication to healing childhood trauma in order to promote a healthier society.
Utilize Gina's eLearning talents to create your own online course or explainer video. Online course must not exceed 25 slides. Will include professionally recorded and edited voiceover. Explainer video must not exceed 3 minutes total. You write the script. Gina will design!