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In the News...
Community Counseling Center And Junior League
Of Greater Portland
Partner To Create New Trauma Center
CCC’s Annual Meeting, Oct. 10, Will Focus On
Trauma With
National Expert, Dr. Lenore Terr
PORTLAND, Maine (Fall
2002) ―
Community
Counseling Center, Portland’s oldest nonprofit mental health and family services
agency, has partnered with the Junior League of Portland, Maine, Inc. to develop
a community-based Trauma Center to help those who have experienced emotional or
physical trauma by facilitating a variety of support services typically needed
by those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.
“The emotional
toll of trauma often leaves people without the resources to take steps to find
help for themselves,” said Leslie Clark Brancato, chief executive officer of
Community Counseling Center. “Auto accidents, fires, violent crimes, domestic
violence, the loss of a loved one can all bring about a need for services –
everything from legal services, medical help, mental health counseling, food,
shelter. While there are many groups in the Portland area that offer these
services, the trauma victim must often take the initiative to contact
providers. With the new trauma center, they will be able to make one contact
and develop a relationship with an advocate who will help them gain access to
services and support.”
The idea for the
trauma center resulted from discussions between the Junior League of Portland
and Community Counseling Center nearly 18 months ago – well before September 11th
heightened public awareness of the effects of trauma.
“The Junior
League chooses a Signature Project every three to five years to lend our
support, and our initial talks with Community Counseling Center were very
compelling,” said Susan Scanlon, president of the Junior League. “We feel that
this center will have a profound effect on easing the emotional strain following
trauma, without adding services that are duplicative of the many wonderful
agencies in the area.”
As part of the
launch of the Trauma Center, Community Counseling Center is opening its annual
meeting on October 10, 2002 to the community at large. Guest speaker Dr. Lenore
Terr is nationally known for her work with survivors of emotional trauma, and
has published two books about the topic, Too Scared to Cry (1990) about
the kidnapping of a school bus in Chowchilla, California, and Unchained
Memories (1994).
For more
information about the Trauma Center, please contact Community Counseling Center
at 207-874-1030.
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