Independent Perspective 1707 with guest Ashanti Brown about the new Hand & Hand Trauma and Support Group

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Ashanti Brown, Peer Support Specialist and Life Coach with Mental Health PEER Connection (MHPC). And I'm your host Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Ashanti.

Guest:  Thank you.

Host:  You're with us today to tell people about a effort that you're responsible for called the Hand & Hand Trauma and Support Group. Is this something fairly new?

Guest:  Yes is fairly new, not a super takeoff, just doing light, you know, opening and warming up, but yes, it is. It is new, especially with all the crazy recent events going on. You know, I feel like we all need some support.

Host:  Alright and is there a particular group of people that this is focused on then?

Guest:  Trauma survivors, domestic violence, anyone who has dealt with PTSD. Anyone who may be triggered because of trauma, things like that.

Host:  And I gather this group meets virtually every week. Could you tell us the day and time please?

Guest:  Yes, so it meets every Thursday on Zoom at 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Host:  Great. Could you tell us some of the sorts of things that people that attend it are likely to find there?

Guest:   So, I usually

talk about how your trauma is your own trauma and no one can basically tell you that you are not dealing with it the right way. Because everybody's trauma is is universal like it's ever like what you deal with may not be how this another person deals with it, everybody deals with it in their own way. And you're not judged for that. And, you know, not everyone will understand what you've been through. But that doesn't still make your trauma and your things like issues you may have not valid. People's opinions don't matter. And there's triggers that come with that.

Host:  Very good, and I take it that anybody who says that it is something that they need are welcome to join, correct?

Guest:  Yes, anyone's welcome.

Host:  But since it's on the Zoom meeting platform, participants will need to get the link to get into the Zoom. So, they would need to talk to you in advance.

Guest:  I haven't got my fliers yet from Community Engagement, but I will be putting up fliers around WNYIL, outside of the area, different areas like Hertel, Riverside, Elmwood, different areas around WNYIL, not too far from literally, anyone's welcome to join.

Host:  And I know Zoom meetings usually make available both a computer aspect and for people that just have phones, is that the case with your meeting?

Guest:  Right there's a calling number that they can call if they want to log in as well.

Host:  Well, sounds like you've got a pretty comprehensive thing. Just reading between the lines, would you say that the tragic shooting at the Tops market on the east side might have partially inspired the need for this group?

Guest:  Yeah, it did. Because I felt like a lot of people didn't know how to adjust to what was happening, especially people who were related to it or people who lived around the area. Just hearing about it really affected people because a lot of times we don't think it can happen so close to home to us, and especially at a grocery store and then it was racially originally targeted. And it's just you know, it's very depressing.

Host:  Indeed so, but we have limited time left. How can people get a hold of you, either by phone or email?

Guest:  They can call me at the WNYIL number at 716-836-0822 extension 160. And I also have a work cell and that number is 716-256-9806. My email address is ashbrown@wnyil.org

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us Ashanti.

Guest:  Thank you

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Ashanti Brown, Peer Support Specialist and Life Coach with MHPC, and I've been your host Ernie Churchwell