“Trauma Recovery and Growth” Retreat: Training and Restoration for the “Children of Heroes” Charity Fund Team

In August, the team from the “Children of Heroes” Charitable Fund attended the “Trauma Recovery and Growth” training retreat, led by Dr. Bobbi Legg—a trauma therapy expert from Arizona State University. During the training, participants gained practical skills for restoring internal resources and working with stress and trauma, which they will be able to use in their daily interactions with beneficiaries.

Work in the charitable sector is always associated with stories of loss, high responsibility, and significant emotional strain, which often leads to burnout. This is confirmed by the study “Professional Burnout of Non-profit Sector Employees” by the Zagoriy Foundation and “Socioinform”: more than two-thirds of charity workers are at risk or already show signs of burnout.

The Fund firmly believes that in order to provide quality help to others, one must constantly learn, develop, and take care of one’s own well-being. That is why the organization pays special attention to team training and professional development. The “Trauma Recovery and Growth” training retreat, held in August, was one such initiative.

The retreat took place over three sessions: one each for the Fund’s psychologists, family assistants, and operational team. Each day was packed with practical exercises and learning: art therapy, mindfulness, psychoeducation on stress and exhaustion, body-oriented exercises, and group sessions. Particular attention was focused on the “object-symbol of self” exercise, which helped participants feel their own identity, find inner resilience, share experiences, and strengthen team bonding.

Thanks to the knowledge and practices acquired, the Fund’s employees will be able to support children even more effectively and help them overcome difficulties. As a result of the program, each participant received a certificate confirming their mastery of the new knowledge and methodologies.

The Fund is sincerely grateful to the World Orphan Fund, R.J. Johnson, and Deborah Hawley Jordal, not only for organizing the retreat but also for their consistent, long-term support of the Fund’s programs. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Bobbi Legg, whose wisdom, care, and professionalism imbued this event with meaning and warmth.

By investing in team development, the Fund is taking care of those who look after the children every day. After all, only a strong, motivated, and educated team can help the children of Heroes overcome challenges and thrive.