For Immediate Release: July 28, 2020

On July 23, Resilience Alexandria: Inform Support Elevate (RAISE), Alexandria’s Trauma Informed Community Network (TICN), celebrated its first birthday.

Members came together virtually to “open presents” including video  messages from Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Councilman Mohamed “Mo” Seifeldein and Department of Community and Human Services Director, Kate Garvey and to celebrate RAISE’s accomplishments. RAISE ended the celebratory meeting by asking members to light a candle and a make a wish for RAISE as they blew it out.

Alexandria’s TICN aims to build a more equitable, safe, trauma-informed and resilient Alexandria by informing, supporting and elevating the community. RAISE’s mission is driven by four priorities:

1. Inform Alexandria’s community and various sectors about RAISE and its mission to build a more trauma-informed and resilient Alexandria
2. Support community members and professionals by delivering trainings focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences, trauma and resilience
3. Support organizations becoming trauma-informed by providing them with technical assistance in transforming their spaces, policies and procedures
4. Elevate the community’s needs and voices through advocacy at the micro and macro levels

RAISE has taken a leading role in Alexandria during the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a Resilience Plan for Community Wellness to help flatten the mental health curve. RAISE has also curated resources for coping with racism, hosted a Youth Forum on Mental Health, launched a Parent Support Line in partnership with Fairfax County and begun virtual Mindful Wellness Circles for City employees to help manage stress.

For more information about RAISE or to become a member, email Raise@alexandriava.gov or visit Alexandriava.gov/DCHS.