Last week, the HEAL Network celebrated 20 years of bringing hope, growth and healing for these children and their families!

Witnessing family violence can be devastating for children with lasting effects on their physical, emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. The HEAL Network is comprised of 20 collaborative agencies and works to provide services to women and children previously exposed to Intimate Partner Violence.

The week opened with an in-person ceremony at the William G. Davis Centre for Families filled with inspiring conversations, a display of the HEAL Network’s history and a community fair with booths from our partnering agencies to showcase their supports and services.

Mid-week, the HEAL Network welcomed service practitioners and educators within the Region of Peel working to support children and families impacted by domestic and family violence to a free lunch and learn webinar, “The Neurosequential Model: A Trauma Informed and Developmentally Responsive Approach to understanding, engaging and working with children and families who have experienced relational violence and other adversities”, delivered by guest presenter Lisa Evans, R. Psych, RPT-S. Lisa shared her experience as a Registered Psychologist, Play Therapist and Educator based out of Whitehorse, Yukon. The audience was inspired by Lisa’s teaching of Bruce D. Perry’s trauma-informed model and learned interventions to bring into classrooms.

The week concluded with a closing ceremony with partners and community members. We thank everyone who has joined along this journey of growth and healing and look forward to continuing our work and learning while supporting children and their families through the HEAL Network.