Well, maybe it was just Paper Tigers! Paper Tigers is a documentary that follows a year in the life of an alternative high school in Walla Walla, Washington. The high school radically changed its approach to disciplining its students. It even became a promising model for how to break the cycles of poverty, violence, and disease that affected its families. Watch the trailer below or check out the movie here.

Paper Tigers Trailer – KPJR Films from KPJR FILMS LLC on Vimeo.

The approach this school used is called a Trauma-Informed Care approach. Trauma-Informed Care is a paradigm shift that moves from judgment to compassion. From asking, “what’s wrong with that kid?” to asking, “I wonder what’s going on with this kid?”

This paradigm shift takes place through “personal insight.” We can understand this more fully through what God’s Word reveals in Psalm 139.

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Gospel-Backed Science

The field of Human Biology, and more specifically Neurobiology, is finally starting to catch up with what the Word of God has always known! The human body is amazing and wonderfully complex. A testament of Divine craftmanship!

This emerging science help us understand how early childhood life experiences (both positive and negative) shape the way our brains are wired. How our brains are wired impacts the way we interpret and interact with others and the world around us. Ultimately, it impacts our choices and behaviors.

The Community Resilience Initiative (CRI) is a non-profit organization in Walla Walla working to build community resilience and capacity in under-resourced neighborhoods. In fact, CRI was the driving force behind the amazing and compassionate work documented in Paper Tigers. Learn more about CRI here.

Informing Fresno

For the past 5 or 6 years, I have been on a journey learning a lot about the Trauma and Resilience that runs throughout the city of Fresno. As part of that journey, I had the blessing to attend the Trauma-Informed Certification training designed by CRI. The same foundation that drove the work documented in Paper Tigers conducted this training in Washington.

In Part 2 of this blog, I will share what God has put on my heart about how we can better equip, empower and encourage all of those on the frontline of ministry here in Fresno. Trauma-Informed ministry can help us have greater Kingdom influence and impact. I will leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul as a prayer for us all:

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13