The Story Behind the LIFELINES Community Building Program
Okay, I know you’re wondering so I’ll just come out and say it: What is a community building author doing working with first responders in fire, police and ambulance? How did I get here?? I’ll tell you.
Early in 2024, after developing and delivering my community building programs for seven years, I suddenly became aware of what first responders are dealing with. This information came to me from several different sources, among them, a friend whose son, a paramedic, was suffering from PTSD.
At the time, I was preparing a community building program for a global organization of therapists; psychologists, psychiatrists, who wanted to feel more united and less isolated.
It took a minute. Then I saw it. These community building programs could help first responders!
A Leap of Faith
I’ll admit, looking back, it was a bit of a leap. It was only after speaking with chiefs, directors, coordinators and other leaders in the field for two years that I saw just how right it was that I take that leap! But to be fair, I had the data and testimonials from seven years of programs. Every single program produced the same outcomes: participants feeling closer, safer, more valued, less isolated; supported.
In those two years, as I delivered and further developed the LIFELINES program, I saw the same results. I saw more benefits than even I had anticipated because now I saw the value of the program through the eyes of the participants.
What LIFELINES Does for an Organization
The LIFELINES program unites team members personally and authentically. This program facilitates communication with colleagues about small issues, naturally, while the issues are still small. LIFELINES empowers them to reach out to a colleague who seems to be in distress long before they are in crisis. Participants reported after the program that they would feel more comfortable using the professional supports provided were they needed.
This is what the LIFELINES community building program does. LIFELINES comprises a carefully crafted process that results in a pre-crisis support culture in first responder organizations.
This was the missing piece in the first responder support system. This is provider well-being at its finest.
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