2021 COMBAT Mid-Year Funding: $43,103.00

In Community Services League's Own Words

Bessel van der Kolk has led many to understand the importance of the physical body in trauma—sexual trauma, domestic violence, chronic poverty and other traumas experienced by persons. Studies show that a great deal of trauma is stored in the muscles, the stomach and the brain. The body's inability to shut off the flood of hormones into the body, even when no threat is currently happening, keeps victims of severe trauma in this flood.

Another way to say this is to refer to the upstairs and downstairs brain. In our upstairs brain, people are able to think, problem solve and stay within “the window of tolerance.” Trauma causes many to stay in the downstairs brain, keeping people in fight and flight all the time. This continual “on” can damage overall health and create dysfunction in our lives.

There are many ways to help people process their trauma and find improvement of symptoms, including talk therapy and medication. But with the increased understanding of neuroplasticity and the ability of the brain to rewire and rebuild, we are increasingly encouraged about the ability to use physical movement as an important way to help people address their trauma.

Community Services League will begin using physical exercise and brain science to encourage health and wellness for both children and adults. The exercise programs may include walking, running, dancing, group classes or individual teachings for those who have suffered from relational trauma and for those who hope to never experience it. Exercise is a way to address mental wellness without being mental health providers. It’s also a way for CSL to help those who don't typically have access to fitness centers and classes to use exercise to directly address the physical symptoms that are affecting the bodies of those who have experienced trauma. The exercise program will be layered upon our already trauma- informed mental wellness “talk” tools of self-awareness and learning and the referrals made to mental health professionals.

Community Services League takes a full-person approach to helping people make meaningful and lasting change in their lives. Staying “stuck” in trauma that has been unprocessed can cause physical, emotional and problem solving challenges to personal growth and development—regardless of income. But families in low-income communities have even fewer resources within which to address trauma, the medical concerns that come from trauma, and mental health therapy resources.

Physical exercise programs for the men, women and children whom CSL serves are often a luxury that everyone deserves a right to. Now science shows us just how powerful exercise (coupled with brain science) can help provide intervention for health, wellness and growth.

CSL will attend training in the brain science and fitness aspects while encouraging exercise (individual, familial and community). CSL will teach classes and the brain science of making new pathways in the brain that will help “turn off” the continual hyper-arousal, bring rest to the brain and the body, and teach new ways to connect to the body and the surroundings that are currently happening. People can help their brains and bodies learn that the trauma is no longer happening and now new pathways can be made that encourage problem solving, planning, decision-making and overall growth and health.