WomenFirst Supports Black Women Healing from Trauma
Shannon Olive is enthusiastic and committed to her work. Her passion is contagious. Shannon, a local activist and fierce fighter for women of color, founded WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center (WF) in 2017. After experiencing foster care, abusive relationships, gang violence and homelessness, Shannon spent time behind bars before deciding it was time to make a permanent change in her life. Recognizing a shortage of local organizations serving women of color, Shannon committed her life to healing oppressed Black women.
WF, located in Gresham, aims to provide a nurturing environment where women can rebuild their lives and self-worth. WF serves, supports and nourishes Black women, justice-involved women, women in recovery, women impacted by gun violence, and women seeking to transform their lives after trauma. Their programs and approaches help Black women re-enter their communities, prevent recidivism, heal from trauma, recover from addiction, and disrupt the generational cycle of abuse and low mental health. WF uses peer mentorship, an evidence-based practice, to provide a strong support system for the individual to not only survive but thrive. WF teaches women life skills that help empower them, including assertiveness, effective communication, self-awareness and conflict resolution. They work to build power among women, including more fulfilling opportunities, respect, love, support and encouragement for the most marginalized.
WF responds to the unique needs of women recovering from trauma. Upon entering the program, they assess each woman to see where they are in their recovery journey and what their goals are. After trauma, many women feel rushed to regain employment so they can care for their children and find housing, but WF encourages them to focus on their mental wellness and personal recovery first. Since WF’s founding, they have helped more than 100 under-resourced Black women and women of color recover from trauma and begin to rebuild their lives.
NWHF’s Justice Reinvestment Equity Program provides a unique opportunity for WomenFirst to expand their services to female youth 16-24 years old. Last month the staff visited David Douglas High School and Reynolds High School to tell students about the program.
Most JREP grantees, including WomenFirst, are working with the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL). Shannon shared that this support has been very helpful and staff have been very supportive. She especially called out the self-assessment that allowed them the time and space to reflect on leadership and finances. LCCL even helped the organization get more organized around on-boarding with clearer roles and responsibilities for each job description.
The challenges and opportunities don’t stop. Soon WF will move into a brand new space, closer to inner SE Portland. WF continues to hire additional peer mentors and housing specialists and to focus on their next goal: purchasing an additional home for emergency housing. This house would provide shelter for women for up to 90 days and help them access detox and treatment and provide support for respite care, basic hygiene, nutrition and well-being.
The Justice Reinvestment Equity Program (JREP) supports culturally specific organizations and culturally responsive services in communities most harmed and least helped by Oregon’s criminal legal system. JREP seeks to elevate organizations that have been overlooked by traditional funding streams with the goals of reducing incarceration and racial disparities in the criminal legal system, promoting healing and advancing community safety in Oregon. Learn more about JREP.