Trauma can affect anyone.

But we can all heal.

Traumatic stress has become an unwanted but unfortunately regular part of life in oppressed, underserved communities, hurting us and those we care about.

Gun violence is both a cause and effect of this stress, and has become the leading cause of death among our children and teens, while impacting millions more who witness violence or live in communities dealing with its consequences.

Not only does violence directly impact our lives and peace of mind, so do its causes like poverty, ongoing racism and systemic oppression.

You’re not alone.

‍If you feel always on-go, but can’t focus. Or you’re always tired, but can’t get a good night’s sleep. If you feel you need to hide that you’re hurting, because you might be misunderstood, you’re not alone.

There are others who feel the same in dealing with traumatic stress, but we’re also healing and helping others heal through self-led pathways.

CALL TO ACTION

”Trauma is a hole that's burned into the mind, burned into the heart, burned even into the soul...Healing is the light that begins to fill it. "

[headshot]
Khyle Williams

“For me, trauma is any emotion attached to the loss of someone or something that transcends our way of thinking. The feelings never really leave...but healing helps us carry it with more ease.”

[headshot]
Xavier Harris
EMIR Healing Center

"You can't address the sliver of individual trauma without looking at the larger picture of how this was all designed...People's spirit and psyche can heal, but we need the right conditions...And when those conditions are met, healing becomes not just possible, but powerful.”

[headshot]
Sharif El Mekki
The Center for Black Educator Development

“A lot of people see police officers as robots. Like we shouldn't be affected by trauma...There’s that male bravado. Like there's nothing wrong with you...We ourselves have to be able to take that step and say it's okay to talk about it...Because healing begins the moment we allow ourselves to speak.”

[headshot]
William Kozlowski
Philadelphia Police Department
William Kozlowski
Philadelphia Police Department

“Racial trauma has damaged our communities...I have hope in Black people—in all people. With that hope, healing becomes possible.”

[headshot]
Kenn Bourne
ANEW
OUR WORDS HEAL
ourwordsheal@gmail.com
901 Market Street, Unit 3020, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.
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Changing the story of trauma through shared voices and collective healing

We believe in the power of community to uplift, support, and transform. Explore stories, resources, and tools designed to help you and your community heal, grow, and thrive together.

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Latest from the community

Stories of healing and hope

Browse real experiences, practical advice, and uplifting stories from people who are transforming trauma into strength. See how connection and understanding can spark change.

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Story
4 min read

A journey to brighter days

Morgan describes how reaching out for support helped them find new meaning and rebuild after facing hardship.

Details
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Insight
6 min read

Speaking up for change

Casey explores how sharing their experience opened doors for honest conversations and encouraged others to seek help.

Details
[workshop session]
Resource
3 min read

Creating circles of care

Riley shares ways to foster safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can feel supported and empowered.

Details

TRAUMA CAN AFFECT ANYONE

But we can all heal.

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Our MissionOur mission is to empower creators and changemakers by providing a platform that connects their visions with generous supporters. We believe that every story deserves to be told and every dream deserves a chance to flourish.

Our impact
Donate
Empower
01

Mission & engagement

02

Spread Global Awareness

03

Organize grant funding

04

Ignite sustainable Impact

What we do

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Who do we involve

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How do we do it

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Why do we do this

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Our team

Thanks to our clients, friends, partners. Thank you to our team of volunteers who made this journey possible.

Get Involved
Our vision

We imagine a future where kindness leads and progress follows.

Our work is grounded in the belief that small actions can spark lasting change. As the world evolves, we stay committed to uplifting efforts that empower and connect. We act not out of duty, but from a deep hope for a better tomorrow—whatever shape it takes.

— where care drives change.

From quiet efforts to real results: The ripple effect of every donation

With every donation, we've been able to reach farther and do more. In just the past 12 months, we’ve provided resources to over 50 grassroots initiatives, supported 100+ volunteers working on the ground, and directly impacted communities facing real challenges—with real solutions. From mental health support to educational access, you turned ideas into measurable change.

Projects supported through local programs

256

Over 25,000 people directly supported through community programs, crisis response, and ongoing care initiatives.

Resource Distribution

85%

of every dollar goes directly to on-the-ground efforts, tools, and services making a difference where it’s needed most.

Volunteer & Project Support

120+

120+ local volunteers mobilized across 60+ grassroots projects in the past year.

OUR WORDS HEAL
ourwordsheal@gmail.com
901 Market Street, Unit 3020, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.
Powered by Mighty Engine

OUR WORDS HEAL

Join us in transforming dreams into reality. Your support can make a significant impact on the causes that matter most.

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JUNE IS NATIONAL
GUN-VIOLENCE
AWARENESS MONTH

All summer long, join others across Philly committed to nonviolence, social justice and trauma healing.

SEE EVENTS
SEE EVENTS

Help us spread the word about trauma healing and gun violence prevention.

DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT

HELP AND HELP HEAL

Trauma—from violence, poverty, oppression and more—hurts our bodies, those we care about and our peace of mind. Together, we can heal and help others heal.

Healing can take many forms. Find what works for you.

EXPLORE FREE HEALING RESOURCES
SEE EVENTS
DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
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AMPLIFY #OurWordsHeal

The news focuses on statistics and our struggle. Stories may talk about how we’re surviving, but not about how we’re healing and helping others to heal. All the people and things that can protect us from further trauma.
‍

That’s because, too often, we’re not the ones doing the talking.
‍

Join us in changing this. Break the stigma for those who hurt in silence. Speak our truth. Share stories that heal ourselves and our community.

SEE EVENTS
DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT

Use #OurWordsHeal when sharing your trauma healing story.

"We know wherever we are, our job is to occupy a space of healing."
—JOSE, Hunting Park Green

WATCH MORE TRAUMA HEALING STORIES
SEE EVENTS
DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
OUR WORDS HEAL
ourwordsheal@gmail.com
901 Market Street, Unit 3020, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved.
Powered by Mighty Engine

More than ever people are talking about trauma, but not enough about trauma healing. And far too many remain unaware or left out. 

01

Mission & engagement

02

Spread Global Awareness

03

Organize grant funding

04

Ignite sustainable Impact

Who do we involve

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

How do we do it

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

Why do we do this

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

JUNE IS NATIONAL GUN-VIOLENCE
AWARENESS MONTH

All summer long, join others across Philly committed to nonviolence, social justice and trauma healing.

SEE EVENTS

All summer long, join others across Philly committed to nonviolence, social justice and trauma healing.

Our vision

JUNE IS NATIONAL GUN-VIOLENCE
AWARENESS MONTH

— where care drives change.

From quiet efforts to real results: The ripple effect of every donation

With every donation, we've been able to reach farther and do more. In just the past 12 months, we’ve provided resources to over 50 grassroots initiatives, supported 100+ volunteers working on the ground, and directly impacted communities facing real challenges—with real solutions. From mental health support to educational access, you turned ideas into measurable change.

Projects supported through local programs

256

Over 25,000 people directly supported through community programs, crisis response, and ongoing care initiatives.

Resource Distribution

85%

of every dollar goes directly to on-the-ground efforts, tools, and services making a difference where it’s needed most.

Volunteer & Project Support

120+

120+ local volunteers mobilized across 60+ grassroots projects in the past year.

From quiet efforts to real results: The ripple effect of every donation

With every donation, we've been able to reach farther and do more. In just the past 12 months, we’ve provided resources to over 50 grassroots initiatives, supported 100+ volunteers working on the ground, and directly impacted communities facing real challenges—with real solutions. From mental health support to educational access, you turned ideas into measurable change.

Projects supported through local programs

256

Over 25,000 people directly supported through community programs, crisis response, and ongoing care initiatives.

Resource Distribution

85%

of every dollar goes directly to on-the-ground efforts, tools, and services making a difference where it’s needed most.

Volunteer & Project Support

120+

120+ local volunteers mobilized across 60+ grassroots projects in the past year.

Our vision

We imagine a future where kindness leads and progress follows.

Our work is grounded in the belief that small actions can spark lasting change. As the world evolves, we stay committed to uplifting efforts that empower and connect. We act not out of duty, but from a deep hope for a better tomorrow—whatever shape it takes.

— where care drives change.

Our team

Thanks to our clients, friends, partners. Thank you to our team of volunteers who made this journey possible.

Get Involved
Empower
01

Mission & engagement

02

Spread Global Awareness

03

Organize grant funding

04

Ignite sustainable Impact

What we do

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

Who do we involve

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

How do we do it

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

Why do we do this

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin enim neque, varius ut lorem eget, blandit venenatis felis. Sed tellus magna, elementum non commodo sit amet, finibus eu nunc. Integer bibendum gravida scelerisque.

Our MissionOur mission is to empower creators and changemakers by providing a platform that connects their visions with generous supporters. We believe that every story deserves to be told and every dream deserves a chance to flourish.

Our impact
Donate