https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog daily 0.75 2025-05-21 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/flipped-lid-trauma-and-dysregulation monthly 0.5 2025-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/5a01ca55-bf16-44f7-a874-324df0a0d91b/kevin-turcios-7qT9A9QzcUA-unsplash.jpg Blog - “Flipped Lid”: Trauma and Dysregulation - *Name changed for privacy reasons. “My life took a turn for the worse after a traumatic experience in high school that I never told anyone about. “When I reached early adulthood, I experienced crippling anxiety that I soothed with alcohol and pills. I became addicted while I was staying at home with my two young children. “One night after drinking heavily, I woke up and did not remember putting my children to bed. I stood up, sick, and started frantically looking for them. I was so sick, wandering around the house, puking in a bowl as I was looking for my babies. It was at this moment that I decided to seek help. I entered therapy, and my therapist encouraged me to try AA.” — Ruthie* https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/ecb66083-995c-4b33-9239-0e27f78deec4/saulo-meza-7ZqA1NT0pj4-unsplash.jpg Blog - “Flipped Lid”: Trauma and Dysregulation - Regulation is something we can learn—but only in safe, supportive relationships. That’s exactly what NAOMI is offering: not just services but healing through connection. By building consistent, safe, trusting relationships, NAOMI helped Ruthie begin to feel safe in her body again. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/change-starts-with-self-reflection monthly 0.5 2025-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/80197f74-b00f-44a2-8593-2145243d56b9/christina-wocintechchat-com-eF7HN40WbAQ-unsplash.jpg Blog - Change Starts with Self-Reflection - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/8f0b44e3-2446-4d77-9c53-1d5e1140fa1a/Untitled+design+%281%29.png Blog - Change Starts with Self-Reflection - Shante, NAOMI lead support specialist: “I have seen the power of self-reflection, of listening deeply, of holding space for truth to emerge. When we take the time to truly see and hear each other, we begin to understand that change is possible. It happens when we choose to be uncomfortable, when we allow honesty, and when we stand together in the messy, beautiful work of growth.” https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/trena-leading-by-example monthly 0.5 2025-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/e7610cb6-7a37-40f4-a1cf-048be5bc0c0e/image0+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Trena: leading by example - Make it stand out NAOMI staff team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/887c7307-91b2-4a14-b73c-d3bc5debd28f/Trena+-+friends.png Blog - Trena: leading by example - Trena with a group of long-time friends. 4) How has God loved you through community/family? I feel very grateful to have strong friendships in my life. These handful of women have journeyed with me for decades and consistently show up to support, laugh, listen and challenge me. We pursue each other and work to have healthy communication and expectations. We choose to be authentic with one another, which sometimes is really uncomfortable. I know that I would not be who I am today without having these women in my life. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/meet-shante-lead-support-specialist monthly 0.5 2025-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/fde13965-4568-47a3-8a09-7e92ad07f05d/Shante+with+children.jpg Blog - Meet Shante, lead support specialist - Shante with her three children If there’s a game to be played, count me in. Catch phrase? Let’s go. Hearts? Deal me in. I turn away from no game! If it involves ridiculousness, I’m here for it! When I am not playing games, you’ll find me outside. Floating down a river? Absolutely. Jumping off things? Climbing up things! Definitely. And when I’m back on the ground, you’ll probably find me wherever I channel my inner plant whisperer or traveling somewhere I haven't been. I make time for walks, sunsets, bookstores, thrift shops, and hard conversations. Music wise, my heart beats to the sound of country and R&B, think Dixie chicks meets Leon Bridges. One of my greatest joys? The ability to be a mom and a friend. Top spot on my bookshelf? Finding Me by Viola Davis, but if you’re looking for the book that emotionally wrecked me? The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Ouch. At the end of the day, my Creator carries me, people inspire me, and my love for this life keeps me chasing adventure, connection, and meaning... one game, one garden, one conversation and one river float at a time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/04dbd8db-267d-4b83-83d2-37e7ce9021a5/KaitMcKayPhotography-3590.jpg Blog - Meet Shante, lead support specialist - Make it stand out Shante with her son https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/7022c778-5a1e-4d62-b3cf-3dff31b79c4a/IMG_1006.jpg Blog - Meet Shante, lead support specialist And I have witnessed this transformation in countless others. I have seen women step into their own freedom, their voices growing stronger with each passing day. I have watched them begin to believe in their own worth, trust themselves and reclaim the parts of themselves they thought were lost. I have seen mothers break cycles so their children can grow up knowing security, love, and possibility. Healing is contagious, it spreads from one person to another, changing families, communities, and entire generations! Every day at NAOMI, I see proof that this kind of change is not just possible, it is happening! I will continue to create spaces where others feel safe enough to be seen, so that they can have the resilience needed to grow, so that they are free enough to imagine a future they never thought possible. No one is unimportant. No story is too small. I see today and tomorrow as something worth exploring, worth cultivating. And for that I will show up, I will listen. I will invest. This is who I am. This is why I’m here. And this is the work I will never stop doing. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/beyond-sobriety monthly 0.5 2025-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1d1c6fe7-c970-49ba-bd2c-4d8a2ca252ea/katy-anne-nTP8aZjedqI-unsplash.jpg Blog - Beyond Sobriety “Everyone should find a community of like-minded warriors to help you engage your story.” - Adam Young https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/8b8e6c66-b7cf-4615-a8b7-9f5d5e31299c/brooke-cagle-EaAOSCSQzPs-unsplash.jpg Blog - Beyond Sobriety - Charis’ Story: “I have spent my entire life in services. I came from the foster care system and my children have also been in the system. I have been in church, in therapy, in AA and recovery groups. Through all this, I have been able to maintain years of sobriety, but I have never been able to stop the feeling of wanting to crawl out of my own skin. The feeling of deep despair and helplessness. The feeling of being alone.” – Charis* *Name changed for privacy reasons. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/secure-vs-insecure-attachment monthly 0.5 2025-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/12844a41-c45b-40a4-8992-734d5f095894/guillaume-bolduc-SGzbP-t1vlg-unsplash+%281%29.jpg Blog - Secure vs. Insecure Attachment - *Name changed for privacy reasons. In Emma’s story, her uncertainty about whether her mom would ever come back led to insecure attachment. Would her mom be there for her? Could she count on her? Or was there something she could do to lose the connection with her mom? If she made a mistake or failed, would that be the end of the relationship? Would her mom leave for good? Her insecure attachment with her mom made it difficult to have healthy relationships later in life. “I started the same patterns in my own life,” Emma explained. “I would seek out and start building close relationships and then if the person pointed out something simple like, not cleaning up after myself or voiced a different opinion than mine. I would get so angry, like explosively angry. I would yell and throw things and storm off for hours or days at a time. I had no idea what was going on with me or how to change it. I knew deep down I was just like my mom and that I'd probably always be that way.” https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/get-to-know-sara monthly 0.5 2025-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/a0ab31a4-e5ea-4170-9680-5c16a59cb9d4/Collage.png Blog - Get to Know Sara, NAOMI Community Director - Make it stand out Sara and her four children https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/c679f305-37ad-4cf3-862f-2878a261b280/IMG_4508.jpg Blog - Get to Know Sara, NAOMI Community Director - Sara’s educational videos available on YouTube Sara has created a series of videos explaining what trauma does to the brain and how it heals. You can watch those on our YouTube channel. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/naomi-the-missing-piece-1 monthly 0.5 2025-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/20185100-bf67-4b98-a2c5-576049618385/1.png Blog - NAOMI: the Missing Piece - “NAOMI helped heal all of me” *Name and photos changed for privacy reasons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/c9aef28b-cf3d-43e0-948e-1ca5a2570cf0/omar-lopez-OQ61si4OGCE-unsplash.jpg Blog - NAOMI: the Missing Piece - “I softened and became more compassionate not only to myself but others.” “Every time I met with Shante one-on-one or participated in a group, I softened and became more compassionate not only to myself, but to others. This shift was enlightening because I lived in constant anger and resentment, which kept me in damaging cycles of substance abuse and toxic relationships. In my experience, I was not able to get deep enough in other recovery circles to heal my past pain.” In 2024, staff recorded 3,315 incidents of women using reflection to make a responsible choice: 789 choices of holding boundaries; 1,040 choices to build healthy relationships; 465 choices to keep herself and her family safe. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/ni1jd4l6pd6rykv1viulp9uiavdszq monthly 0.5 2025-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/29a5917b-9ba9-4c02-abcb-4bb836dbf013/IMG_4511.jpg Blog - Healing the Mind - Make it stand out *Named and photo changed for privacy reasons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/68bb38de-00bb-4d35-82c6-f04155843185/jilbert-ebrahimi-pVEcNabAg9o-unsplash.jpg Blog - Healing the Mind - Trauma shatters perspective. Enter Trauma B – bad stuff, distressing stuff, overwhelming stuff happens, and the brain has no safe space in which to process that bad stuff. The neural networks for regulation and integration have not developed. If no caring adult presence helps the child to process what is happening, a wound imprints itself, and destruction/disintegration takes place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/da864637-910c-4908-b0ef-6eccf29ae7e1/IMG_4511.jpg Blog - Healing the Mind - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/celebrate-women-doing-the-hard-work-of-healing-from-trauma monthly 0.5 2025-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/eff28898-0bbe-4ffa-a90b-1a9b8357553f/briana-tozour-hkkQbPa49UA-unsplash.jpg Blog - Celebrate Women Doing the Hard Work of Healing from Trauma - “She showed me grace for the first time in my life. She spoke truth over me when I was at my lowest place emotionally. “Over the next several months, NAOMI direct service staff and community members reached out to me. Not in a pushy or forceful way, but in a way that let me know I was safe and cared about. With their consistent checking in, I eventually was brave enough to re-engage and talk about my experience.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/67d3ba0b-d555-42f5-a774-abdfdaf747e8/lea-dubedout-N6STB5KbRUU-unsplash+%281%29.jpg Blog - Celebrate Women Doing the Hard Work of Healing from Trauma - Make it stand out *Name changed for privacy reasons. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/childhood-trauma-amp-addiction monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/bd7025bc-cdeb-4634-ad39-3a3a11b0181f/zulmaury-saavedra-jEY5TyyI-no-unsplash.jpg Blog - Childhood Trauma & Addiction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/745d0cc8-59bc-4aed-bf66-a5f1e309152b/robina-weermeijer-IHfOpAzzjHM-unsplash.jpg Blog - Childhood Trauma & Addiction - Your Amazing Brain Daniel Siegel, a researcher from UCLA (and the source of the hand-brain model), defines trauma as “any experience we have that overwhelms our capacity to cope.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/8eb23afe-a193-4541-bada-970fa53e1a01/caleb-woods-VZILDYoqn_U-unsplash.jpg Blog - Childhood Trauma & Addiction - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/e47a447b-8c46-49b7-8b5f-24d67406ab6b/Dr.+Mark.jpg Blog - Childhood Trauma & Addiction - Dr. Mark Baird is a clinical psychologist, Whitworth professor, trauma specialist and former Army psychologist. Dr Baird has worked with patients experiencing PTSD and knows the hard work involved in healing. He is excited to see the community move beyond labels, see the person (rather than just the behavior) and treat the trauma that often underlies addiction and other destructive behaviors. He originally wrote this blog post for our friends at Union Gospel Mission. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/from-surviving-to-thriving-healing-from-trauma monthly 0.5 2025-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1eabbd17-f19b-4c30-9f7e-0c05a83c52ef/preslie-hirsch-rOKbmUbcOVg-unsplash.jpg Blog - From Surviving to Thriving: healing from trauma - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/the-comfort-of-trauma-informed-care monthly 0.5 2025-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/70b0b791-1ed1-4e53-ab05-f44a06bba072/claudio-schwarz-k39RGHmLoV8-unsplash.jpg Blog - The Comfort of Trauma-Informed Care - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/afyyb3zmopihvjxidq0m5mgvwdmos5 monthly 0.5 2025-01-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/d78be508-bf02-4d94-8c6f-a0dc4610c25a/marina-vitale-t809JJ6r9KA-unsplash.jpg Blog - Behind the Mask: the importance of being truly SEEN - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/alone-in-the-dark monthly 0.5 2025-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/bc8fc12c-e0fd-4399-a05c-aa57f89e8f46/annie-spratt-sjDnVZHGasU-unsplash.jpg Blog - Alone in the Dark - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/5d23af7c-479a-456e-b110-558d4c0f1772/marten-newhall-20nRrCBtBaA-unsplash.jpg Blog - Alone in the Dark - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/naomi-whats-in-a-name monthly 0.5 2024-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/fde30d76-8bad-43d0-9ee1-efce12192a74/IMG_5559+%281%29.jpg Blog - NAOMI: What’s in a Name? - A Loyal Friend Ruth is the friend Naomi needs at that moment. She has hope where Naomi does not. She has strength and youth where Naomi does not. She goes to work, gleaning in the fields and bringing back grain for them both. The text gives no evidence of Ruth trying to “cheer up” Naomi or “fix” her. Rather, she listens to her, respects her and even follows her advice. She is loyal, committed, steadfast. And, over time, the women’s situation improves, first gradually and then, dramatically. Ruth eventually marries and has a son who ends up being recorded in the lineage of King David, and ultimately, Jesus. The shame is erased. Near the end of the book, the Israelite women say to Naomi: “Your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to a son.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/bb0aeade-9bfa-4d7d-80e6-853b80d88547/IMG_0801+%281%29.jpg Blog - NAOMI: What’s in a Name? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/naomi-the-gift-of-presence monthly 0.5 2024-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/04b2551e-9c85-4035-8b49-e2258396f46e/joel-muniz-fLhghqC2Jp4-unsplash.jpg Blog - NAOMI: The Gift of Presence - By nature, our great desire is to hide our vulnerability because we fear being hurt. We grasp for control. Like donning construction helmets or armor for battle, we build walls around the pieces of ourselves where we feel most susceptible. And sometimes, that serves us well. Our walls protect our soft underbellies, keep us safe from strangers, protect our delicate insides, but taken too far, what was meant to protect us keeps other people (all of them, not just the bad guys) at a distance, and we end up alone. We were not meant to be alone. We need other people. Sometimes we really hate that. We hate the vulnerable parts of ourselves. We hate the parts of ourselves that need connection. It means a total loss of control. Question: Can you identify those parts of yourself where you feel most vulnerable? The parts you least want to share with anyone else? Be curious. Ask yourself why that might be. Have you needed to protect yourself in the past? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/81e504e1-da4f-4193-a069-49bb284ff472/heike-mintel-Os2WMpNWpfM-unsplash.jpg Blog - NAOMI: The Gift of Presence - So what’s a person to do? First and foremost, find safe people, safe spaces. Ask yourself: With whom can I begin the practice of no longer hiding my vulnerability? In that safe space is the potential for healing. In the past 30 years, we’ve all learned a lot about Adverse Childhood Experiences and their negative impact on adult physical and mental health. What we haven’t heard as much about is Positive Childhood Experiences – how they build resiliency in the brain – and how this positive interactive work can make an impact on us as adults, as well. Being known is vital to life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/3f6eeb5b-79a4-4182-9c2b-49e24d44de47/alvin-mahmudov-RgAUYSTa0NI-unsplash.jpg Blog - NAOMI: The Gift of Presence Healing through the gift of presence is not a quick process. It takes time. Baby steps are always valued. The listener – by being awake, alert and attuned – provides the opportunity for the person sharing to be seen, soothed, safe and secure. The listener is a calm, non-anxious presence. She is curious. She validates what she hears. The message is “Your story is welcome in this space.” Over the next few months, we’ll be looking more closely at all of these topics – trauma, empathic presence, healing in relationships and the work of NAOMI. In the meantime, as we approach Christmas, I was struck by the connection between this gift of healing presence and the way God moves toward us. The healing of our broken world began when God entered our world as one of us. Jesus made himself vulnerable – first as a baby and ultimately in his death on a cross. He became the definition of an empathic presence. Immanuel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/8323f93c-7da8-4f53-b6aa-82598dc7a71a/IMG_1821.jpg Blog - NAOMI: The Gift of Presence - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/the-loneliness-epidemic monthly 0.5 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/050f3768-06f0-44a6-bcae-8acd3abb310b/omar-lopez-T6zu4jFhVwg-unsplash.jpg Blog - The Loneliness Epidemic We need each other, and that is especially true when it comes to healing. “To be human is to be wounded,” Young says. “However, wounds heal naturally when the environment is right… and the right environment for healing is the empathic presence of another person. God made our brains and nervous systems to need one another. “The opposite of trauma is not ‘no trauma.’ The opposite of trauma is connection.” We get hurt in relationships. And, we heal in relationships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/08712e76-3836-4b7c-a315-7857e10e6402/Malia+pic+one.jpg Blog - The Loneliness Epidemic Malia in the NAOMI garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/e6412506-c1fa-42a1-aa64-7d3e2c0b548b/IMG_7293.jpg Blog - The Loneliness Epidemic - Make it stand out Rockaway Beach, Oregon https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/how-does-naomi-serve-children monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1729361242179-419AHWRGVCDXW2LK1RIL/children+playing.jpeg Blog - How is NAOMI serving children? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/when-does-it-become-worth-it monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/a4156233-b76b-4ef4-a219-4740d5616535/women+on+the+healing+journey.jpg Blog - When does it become worth it? - Make it stand out (Women pictured are NAOMI community members but not the author of this story.) https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/understanding-trauma monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1a3a4b9e-b1d3-4c06-9409-b6d815040cfc/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Understanding Trauma - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/why-gatherings-matter monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1faf5456-316c-4323-90e1-756dbe1935b9/help_community_women.jpg Blog - Gatherings: a vital part of the healing process - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/finding-hope-in-hard-places monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/1720471289399-4M97RFNK1GNKDDPD2PCF/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Finding hope in hard places - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tracy-story monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/fe141cda-2448-4beb-990f-1e973fe1cccf/Resized_Resized_20240405_145630_1717035297156_1717035298701.jpg Blog - Pursuing a dream Tracy began her journey with NAOMI four years ago and graduated from Nursing School in April! We are so proud of her and the tremendous dedication she has shown to herself and her family. Tracy invested deeply into not only her own journey but also into the journey of her family. Their lives will be forever changed because of her willingness to grow, heal and pursue thriving choices. Others lives will now be impacted by the compassion and care that Tracy will pour out as a wonderful nurse in our Spokane Community. READ ON to hear Tracy describe her journey: “When I think of the impact being a part of NAOMI has had on me and my nursing school journey, I really have a difficult time putting it into words. Nursing school is hard. All of your focus has to be on your studies and you sacrifice a lot of time with your loved ones which can make you feel kind of lonely and secluded. Even when you are around other people you still have this nagging list of things to do preventing you from being completely present. I don’t know how I would have been able to come out on the other side without the grace, love and support of the women at NAOMI. They provided me with the knowledge and foundational skills that allowed me to work through the trauma and shame I experienced throughout my life and helped me to forgive myself and taught me to give grace not only to others but also to myself which is a lot harder than one might think. I wasn’t able to show up every week but I knew I could show up when my schedule allowed and I would be greeted with smiles and hugs. This renewed my spirit and helped me continue pushing on, and when I was told I had to back pay for a program that was required for the nursing program, they supported me by helping take this off my plate. They taught me to believe in myself by believing in me and showing up for me when I needed them. I am so grateful for the unconditional grace, kindness, and support from this extraordinary community of women and the work that they are doing to provide a safe space that fosters healing and growth. When I walked out of my pinning ceremony and I saw all of your wonderful faces, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I didn’t do this on my own and I am just so grateful for everything you all do each day.” https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/a-reunion monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/85c40ccd-c045-4be2-8418-687058b12281/image-asset.jpg Blog - A Reunion Nicole* lives several states away and has been a part of NAOMI for several years through our online options. She's attended online groups and received one-to-one support as she's navigated difficult circumstances. She had never been to NAOMI in person…until this month. After a couple of years of building healthy relationships, healing trauma, and making choices that have allowed her to thrive, she came for a visit! It was a 2-hour whirlwind of women, children, laughter, hugs, and witnessing the power of connected relationships. What a special reunion! Through NAOMI, she learned about her patterns that were causing her harm, grew in resilience, discovered compassion for herself and others, and established healthy ways to cope with life's stressors. She learned she CAN make decisions that will allow her to thrive! Nicole's healing journey looks different these days. The intensive support she once needed to get through each day has transformed into lasting healthy relationships that are available to her as she needs them. https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/category/Learning monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/category/Core+Concepts monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/category/Community+Stories monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/trauma monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/%23sober monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/reflection monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/addiction monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/change monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/%23sobriety monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/%23connection monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/trauma+recovery monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/blog/tag/growth monthly 0.5 https://www.naomicommunity.org/board daily 0.75 2025-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/ef1b30bd-e7b9-4639-a0ed-54bcd67141e4/Madelyn.png board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/4b478105-1b15-49a5-b973-195b0d418e33/Joel+Brown+Pic.jpeg board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63e1bf500273f731a4110c55/c945fb4d-44f1-4297-b471-e4ae18ebde41/IMG_0538.jpg board https://www.naomicommunity.org/home daily 1.0 2025-07-08 https://www.naomicommunity.org/contact-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-10 https://www.naomicommunity.org/get-started daily 0.75 2023-02-21 https://www.naomicommunity.org/get-started/p/relationship-with-youothers-tl5cx monthly 0.5 2022-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b503994afac3ceadc6f49/1649102910734-YDA4D8A63S1S2I11CZIR/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Original_845035.jpg Get Started - Relationship with You+Others https://www.naomicommunity.org/get-started/p/relationship-with-others-efn9s monthly 0.5 2022-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b503994afac3ceadc6f49/1649102910719-ERDF4B606WWIODCSO263/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Large_844923.jpg Get Started - Relationship with Others https://www.naomicommunity.org/get-started/p/relationship-with-you-2njz8 monthly 0.5 2022-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/624b503994afac3ceadc6f49/1649102910624-ZU5TO7W6NPXYD81YT8OL/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Large_844934A.jpg Get Started - Relationship with You