Building Toward Survivor Leadership, One Step at a Time
Restorative Leadership Series Part 2
By WellHouse CEO Carolyn Potter
For many survivors, sharing their stories within the safety of supportive relationships and anonymity marks an important milestone in their healing journey. At The WellHouse, we honor those requests by providing opportunities for survivors to write and share their experiences through our website blog. These narratives remind us of the importance of moving at a survivor’s pace, never rushing or imposing responsibilities before they are ready. Our goal is to offer transformational care within a framework that prioritizes safety, fosters trust, and extends unconditional love. This approach has proven essential in cultivating survivor leadership while ensuring that our work remains informed by their voices.
The journey begins with our intake process, a person-centered approach led by our Intake Director. This process ensures that each survivor receives compassionate, individualized care and the best options available to meet her needs. By conducting assessments at her pace, we begin building trust from the moment she arrives at The WellHouse’s Immediate Shelter. During this time, dedicated Home Coordinators provide 24/7 support, nutritious meals, and a safe environment, even offering late-night conversations when needed. The Intake Director oversees this process while managing a waiting list for future arrivals.
Our Senior Clinical Director facilitates psychosocial assessments in a comfortable setting to develop tailored treatment plans. Immediate medical care is provided by our R.N., Nurse Practitioner, and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who has faithfully served WellHouse survivors for over a decade, often meeting needs that have been neglected for years.
While some may decide this is not the right time or place to begin their healing journey, many choose to stay. After much-needed rest, they are ready to transition into the Core Program. Throughout every step, our foundation remains steadfast. The love we are called to share, and the privilege we hold in walking alongside survivors as they move from darkness toward healing and opportunities for true leadership, is rooted in the faith foundation of The WellHouse.