Giving This A Try.

[Justmehere]

I have no idea where to put this thread (moderators, please feel free to move it if needed). It’s about helping kids who are being traumatized, while also accepting my own limits as a human and as someone with PTSD.

There is a group that has hotline for kids who are being sex trafficked, as well as some other resources for kids rescued from sex trafficking. They have asked me to help write for private grant funding for them as a volunteer. The organization is legit, and the cause is a very good one. I’m up for giving it a try and doing what I can to write these private foundations and work with this organization to help them get funding. I’ve been upfront with them that I really love what they are doing to try and help these kids, but that I’m new-ish to grant writing. I don’t know how good I will be at it, but it’s a chance to work on my skills and hopefully help these kids. They are in a crunch for funding and desperate for any help they can get on this part of their work. So, I’m giving it a try.

I was never trafficked as a kid and the sexual abuse I have survived is not the same as what these kids have gone through. I strongly believe it is best to avoiding comparing trauma, but it is also safe to say these kids have been through much worse than I have ever known.

It is triggering. I remember what it felt like to have no one fighting for me be free of horrible abuse I could not escape on my own. I admit that my trauma leads me to be drawn to the idea of fighting for the voiceless to have a voice.

I’m also wresting with accepting that this happens in the world, and I can’t make it stop, but maybe I can help this organization help these kids.

I am feeling a little lost in jumping into this, and posting here as a way to reach out to people who might get it. Any advice or thoughts or feedback welcome. I'm trying to keep my head on straight and find a way to be effective in explaining to these private foundations and donors why they should help.

 

[Mystery]

Justmehere, I think that what you are contemplating is clearly a great contribution to make as well as possibly a theraputic action that will give you a focus, if you are up to minimizing the triggers and your responses. I think it is also good that you are directing your energy on a level that is slightly removed from the ground level such as answering phones.

I see many survivor's of trauma doing similar things. There is a couple here in Australia, The Moorecombs. Their son was taken forever by a less than human thing. I don't want to type the triggering words about that. They have devoted their life to a foundation that educates children in school about how to keep safe and strategies for dealing with situations where they aren't safe. Bodily awareness and assertiveness strategies. Their program is becoming more widespread in Australian schools.

I look at them sometimes when I see them on TV and just try to fathom how they do it. It's a way they have found to go on and live with what they see in the world and leave the world a bit better and safer than they found it. They are doing their part in saving children's lives. changing community awareness, helping parents dispel myths about child safety.

I say, give it a go. You seem to be a fairly self aware person. Only you can know how much specific things and exposure will unbalance you, if at all. It's a wonderful thing to do and just might be really good for you, if you keep the load balanced along the journey. Best wishes. :-)

 

[Justmehere]

Thanks Mystery. There is something healing and helpful to hear about and even connect with people who are trying to do good in the world out of such horrible things that happen way too often.

Thanks for your reminder to keep it balanced. That will be key. I don't think I could be involved in a more direct way, I'd be a triggered mess pretty quick. But maybe writing grant proposals to private donors will be removed enough and yet involved enough to help make some sort of difference.

 

[Seasounds]

I’m also wresting with accepting that this happens in the world, and I can’t make it stop, but maybe I can help this organization help these kids.

I agree, it is a difficult thing to accept. Little steps, add up to make a difference; remembering that the Woman Suffrage, the Civil Rights, and the Diversity movements, were all in a similar position, (once upon a time), support your idea. The world is continuing to wake up to something, that was previously, almost totally, pushed under the carpet.

It is triggering. I remember what it felt like to have no one fighting for me be free of horrible abuse I could not escape on my own. I admit that my trauma leads me to be drawn to the idea of fighting for the voiceless to have a voice.

Getting involved with an organization, for which you have empathy for their cause, sounds like a great match! For myself, in a different but similar way, I support my niece in a Diversity Choir, as I lost a closeted gay cousin-who was like my brother, to suicide. I don't know about you, but there is a sense that I am turning my grief into positive action, when I help my niece's choir.

It is triggering. I remember what it felt like to have no one fighting for me be free of horrible abuse I could not escape on my own. I admit that my trauma leads me to be drawn to the idea of fighting for the voiceless to have a voice.

I really like your self-awareness, that helping for this cause, can also be triggering. If you can monitor your trigger factor, and deal with it effectively, it sounds very reasonable that you will be effective at your involvement. I would bet that, even if co-workers don't have PTSD, that they get triggered from time to time, and just need a good cry, and a good hug. I hope that you find this support!

'm trying to keep my head on straight and find a way to be effective in explaining to these private foundations and donors why they should help.

This is an interesting challenge; how to keep people listening to you, while you speak of painful circumstances-that may cause people to turn away.
I bet, being sensitive to their cues, being intelligent to report evidence, and encouraging them, that they too, can make a difference, will bring you donations.

Your inspiring work, just made my day!

 

[RussH]

I’m also wresting with accepting that this happens in the world, and I can’t make it stop

You are right we can't make it stop, but if we can get it to stop for one kid, or better yet, stop it before it begins, then we have stopped it for that one, then we move to the next.

We can only stop it one kid at a time. It truly grieves my heart when I think of the kids being sold into the worse kind of slavery.

I hope the people that watch hard core porn learn they are, in fact, supporting human trafficking, and stop supporting it.

Thank you for your willingness to help offset this human tragidy.

 

[Chava]

It sounds empowering if you can continue to keep good awareness of triggers and what involvement you can tolerate. A compassionate response to your suffering and theirs. Be safe.

 

[Mystery]

And I have often thought, that I wish I had the money, I hope I do one day, to write a full page Ad full of peoples signatures, in a global newspaper to thank from the bottom of my heart all the Soldiers, Police Officers, detectives, undercover police officers, prosecutors and correctional officers who do this work and are immersed in those images and keep going, keep fighting. As well as to all the police officers in communities who attend DV every day and do the work of protecting survivors and their children. So many of them helped me and I never got to thank them.

 

[Mystery]

Justmehere, that's a really good point, I didn't see until you said so, that connecting with other people who are working for the same noble and healing thing, is actually a healing thing in itself.

 

[Hashi]

Any advice or thoughts or feedback welcome.

Get a good book on writing grant proposals.

Also, check each potential donor organisation's aims and objectives, and guidelines, rules and requirements for applications, Stick to these absolutely.

In the UK there are umbrella organisations that support voluntary groups and sell publications on how to do things like this. It's well worth looking into what's available and how useful it might be, then investing a little in something that's likely to pay off.

The type of registration the group has - whether it has some sort of legal status as a voluntary organisation - will be important. Also, how the organisation and its finances are managed. Even if it isn't a registered charity in some way, potential donors will want to know their money will be used responsibly with some sort of checks, regulation and accountability.

A donor will want evidence of effectiveness (impact/outcomes) and not just ideology.

A good book will take you through all these kinds of things.

The type of registration the group has (if any) could also lead you to finding a similar type of organisation in a field that doesn't compete directly with yours, and there might be someone there willing to give you guidance or advice. People in this area tend to be very willing to help each other.

You're obviously motivated. I think the challenge is the research and action. I suggest you get as much help as you can with this... dare I say it, that might be needed more than getting support on the emotional side. I've worked for charities a lot, and while the cause is what first attracts you what's important is the practical work you do. To do it well, you need to be about 90% head and 10% heart.

 

[littlelostchild]

It sounds like a wonderful idea! Best wishes - can't wait to hear about your first grant.

I think finding a niche that is low in triggers is key. I run creative writing workshops for homeless youth through a charity. We know many homeless youth are running from abuse, but that isn't what I am there for, I give them the chance to express themselves through writing. It is sometimes triggering, but there is no way I could do other roles with these youth. This helps me feel like I can do something good out of the abuse that happened to me.

You have given this lots of thought and are going in with self-awareness. Sounds like a great plan to me.

 

[RussH]

As well as to all the police officers in communities who attend DV every day and do the work of protecting survivors and their children. So many of them helped me and I never got to thank them.

I use to work in EMS, and most of the time the people we interacted with in the line of duty, we never got to see again, so it is not unsual e enxtto never get a thank you from the people we have helped. One think you can do; when you see a police officer on the job, and you have the chance, tell them thank you for being there. It will be appreciated.