What Is Trauma-Informed Care? and Why It Matters for Girls

At The Campbell House, you’ll often hear the phrase “trauma-informed care.” But what does that actually mean? And why is it so critical for the girls and young women we serve?

Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma, whether from abuse, neglect, systemic injustice, or loss, and centers compassion, safety, and empowerment in every interaction. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, we ask, “What happened to you?”

💔 Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Trauma changes the brain. It can make school feel impossible, relationships overwhelming, and self-worth hard to find. Many of our girls have experienced things no one their age should have to. And too often, their behaviors are misunderstood as defiance instead of what they are: survival strategies.

🌱 What Trauma-Informed Care Looks Like at The Campbell House

• We create environments where girls feel emotionally and physically safe.

• We build trust by showing up consistently and following through on what we say.

• We give girls a voice in their own healing, inviting them to participate in decisions.

• We train our mentors and volunteers to recognize triggers and respond with empathy, not judgment.

This approach isn’t just more humane. It’s more effective. Because when a young woman feels safe and seen, she can finally begin to heal.

🦋 Why It Matters

We’re not just here to “fix” behavior. We’re here to support transformation. Trauma-informed care gives girls the tools to rebuild their lives with dignity, autonomy, and hope.

✨ If you’re interested in volunteering or supporting our work, trauma-informed care is the heart of what we do. Let’s build safer spaces together.