Read Our Restore Intern's Reflection 🧡

At the beginning of the year, we introduced you to Rose, our Restore Intern. She is a senior at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, preparing for ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and she came to us carrying a deep, personal conviction that the Church has too often failed survivors of sexual trauma, and that it doesn't have to be this way. As part of the practical skills portion of her degree program, she joined us to deepen her understanding of the science and psychology of somatics and healing from trauma, collaborate with the Restore Director to develop creative rituals that foster wholeness and build agency, explore how faith and faith spaces intersect with human trafficking, and learn more about the systems and organizations that impact trafficking. 

Pictured above are a few of the stations Rose created for us to walk through as staff.

As a Restore intern, Rose sat with survivors' stories, studied the nervous system, and engaged in the slow, courageous work of trauma healing. She also turned what she learned into gifts for our staff, leading us through a discernment process and navigating transition by creating thoughtful prayer and reflection stations that included painting, walking, writing, and more. Time and again, Rose's offerings cared for us as a group and strengthened us as a team.

At the end of her internship, Rose shared a reflection with our Board of Directors about what she learned during her time, what surprised her, and why she believes a "Restore approach" is essential to a resilient faith. We are so grateful for the gift of her time with us, and we think you'll be moved by her words just as we have been.

Read Rose's Reflection