You never think it will happen in your own community.
When incidents of mass violence occur, there is an immediate outpouring of generous support, but once the dust has settled, how do we invest in long-term healing?
Resiliency Centers are funded by the federal government to serve the mental health needs of
communities who have experienced mass violence.
The United for Waukesha Resiliency Center (UWRC), serving all those affected by the 11/21/21 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy, opened its doors in December 2022.
A traumatic event affects everyone differently. Some may not be affected at all, some may need help
right away, and some may not need help until months or years after the event. UWRC is there for every
step on that journey.
Rates of PTSD in communities that have experienced mass violence are four to five times higher than the national average (NMVVRC).
The same surveys found that those with low social support were more likely to experience depression and PTSD. Resiliency centers can provide a space for that social support through support groups, expressive therapies, relationships with trained service navigators, and steering committees on projects like memorials and remembrances.
The good news: Recovery is the norm. Experts in recovery from crisis events note that people can and
do heal and build a new normal, with support.
UWRC At a Glance
All Resiliency Centers are unique, reflecting their unique communities. The United for Waukesha
Resiliency Center partners with local art and music therapists, yoga therapists, mental health providers,
and more to provide programming that supports long-term healing and resilience.
The parade tragedy affected people of all ages and from a wide variety of organizations: schools, youth sports teams, local businesses on the parade route, first responders, second responders (medical, mental health, and government response), and more.
UWRC has the flexibility to tailor their programming to the community and the needs they express.
Get Involved
The ripple effects of an incident of mass violence are wide, and these effects are not limited to
Waukesha.
You can find the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center on Instagram at
@UnitedforWaukesha and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/unitedforwaukesharesiliencycenter.
Share their posts and website with anyone you think may benefit. Reach out to them at helpishere@uwrc.org to get set up with services, request a presentation for your organization, or access materials like brochures to share.
Be sure to check out their upcoming event, Resilient Waukesha featuring Healing Ink, this September 27-28 at Raised Grain Brewery.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
