Haven for Hope is proud to announce that it has officially earned its designation as a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) agency. This distinction underscores Haven for Hope’s unwavering commitment to providing holistic, compassionate, and effective services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Becoming TIC certified is a rigorous, lengthy process involving internal assessments and evaluations, client and staff surveys, and training provided by the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care at University Health. The journey culminates with a desk review conducted by The Ecumenical Center. Certification requires a thorough review of an organization’s practices, procedures, facilities, and staff support across five key areas: safety (physical and interpersonal), transparency and trustworthiness, respect and empowerment, collaboration and policy, and skill-building and emotional intelligence.

“Achieving Trauma-Informed Care certification is a transformative milestone for Haven for Hope, our staff, and our clients,” said Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Haven for Hope. “Trauma impacts everyone, whether directly or indirectly. This designation ensures that our team is equipped to recognize and respond to trauma in ways that foster trust, resilience, and healing. It’s about creating an environment where we avoid retraumatizing individuals and actively empower them to rebuild and thrive.”

Trauma-Informed Care builds a foundation of understanding that everyone carries experiences of trauma, which can manifest in unexpected ways. By applying TIC principles, Haven for Hope strengthens its ability to foster a culture of safety, transparency, and empowerment—ultimately improving outcomes for the thousands of people it serves annually.