As the We Heal Together Winston-Salem (WHT-WS) initiative enters the last quarter of Year 2, we reflect on a year marked by growth, collaboration, and tangible impact. Supported by a $4 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), WHT-WS continues to foster resilience and healing in East Winston-Salem through community-driven efforts. Before we update you on the progress in Year 2, we invite you to review the initiative’s evaluation results from Year 1 of our community collaboration.
Empowering Communities Through Education and Training
“Connection before content” remains a priority for Crossnore’s Center for Trauma Resilient Communities (CTRC) as the team continues to facilitate their TRC Engagement and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Trainings, Booster and Coaching Sessions, and Embedding Workshops. New in Year 2 for YMHFA is the addition of the Community Health Educator, Xavier Acuña, offering trainings in Spanish. To date, we have trained 68 Youth Mental Health First Aiders, who are now equipped to support youth facing mental health challenges. To assess its effectiveness, the data and research partners at Forsyth Futures have implemented a follow-up survey to track the impact of the trainings, and to ensure continuous improvement and relevance.
Simultaneously, CTRC has adapted a version of Dr. Sandra Bloom’s S.E.L.F. (Safety, Emotions, Loss and Future) curriculum, titled “Building Resilience through S.E.L.F”, that is currently being offered to human service providers and clinicians who may also receive Continuing Education (CE) credits for FREE! This curriculum provides a structured, research-supported, approach to understanding the impact of adversity and responding with intention and care. Embedding trauma-informed practices within the community and organizations is an essential component to investing in and with the community.
Community Advisory Board: Leaders in Action
Integral to the initiative is the Community Advisory Board (CAB) composed of Community Advisors (CAs) and Institutional Advisors (IAs). CAs are leaders who live in East Winston-Salem and engage in community events such as gardening clubs, family story time, and digital media training, as they reinforce awareness around the seven vital conditions for community well-being, fostering social engagement and empowerment. CAs also provide their expertise to hold CAB members and the WHT-WS team accountable for the work. IAs are leaders who serve in various capacities, within a number of community organizations, and they offer in-kind support to ensure everyone does their part in dismantling harmful systems.
Community Engagement and Outreach
So far in Year 2, WHT-WS has participated in 16 community events, reaching nearly 750 individuals. These events have provided mental health, substance use, and homelessness resources, alongside promoting the free trainings offered to community members and organizations. By attending events such as Christmas for the City, Community Cares Nights, Church in the Streets, Roots and Routes, The Week of Healing and the PBS Summit, WHT-WS continues to work to bridge the gap between community and organizations, spreading messages of mental health awareness, trauma informed care, wellness, and healing.
Collaborative Efforts for System Change
WHT-WS is deeply committed to systems change efforts through collaborations with Thriving Together, My Brother’s Keeper Winston-Salem, the Winston Salem Police Department’s Community Outreach Team, Forsyth Family Power, the People’s Research Council, and the eight WHT-WS Backbone Agencies. These partnerships, many of which are led by/include team members from another partner, Action4Equity, aim to eliminate silos, keep research in the hands of the community, and foster collective action for lasting impact. A notable achievement this year was WHT-WS’s collaboration with the People’s Research Council’s Latine Advisory Board to bring the Camino Research Institute to Crossnore. This event shared findings from the Forsyth County Community Strength and Needs Assessment—a three-year study involving interviews with over 300 Latine individuals—with 40 community leaders. By amplifying Latine voices and experiences, this collaboration seeks to inform policies and decisions that better serve our community.
Building Bridges with the Latine Community
In partnership with Love Out Loud, WHT-WS is working with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) to enhance engagement with the Latine community. By connecting WSFCS’ leadership with local churches and organizations, they have facilitated participation in five events, reaching 146 Spanish-speaking parents and community members in just 30 days. This initiative exemplifies the power of building relationships to foster inclusive and effective communication.
Looking Ahead
At its core, WHT-WS is about more than addressing immediate needs—it’s about creating lasting change. By centering community voices, promoting trauma-resilient practices, and fostering collaboration, WHT-WS is laying the groundwork for a community where all individuals can thrive. With each training, event, and partnership, hope is being restored, resilience is being built, and a brighter future is being forged. As we look ahead, the journey continues—rooted in pride, driven by purpose, and united in the belief that we heal together.
