RHK Implements Trauma-Informed Volunteer Training

To better equip our Solid Ground evening program volunteers, we hold quarterly training meetings. After surveying our volunteers, one request stood out clearly: more training focused on trauma and how to work with children who have experienced it—especially within a ministry setting.

That feedback launched a search for the right training. We explored both creating our own and finding an existing program that would truly fit our mission and volunteers’ needs.

Our search led us to Reach Hurting Kids, a trauma-informed training created by researchers, mental health professionals, and children’s ministry experts. Their trauma-informed resources are designed to empower churches and ministries to better support hurting children in their congregations and communities.

The Reach Hurting Kids program includes a four-part workshop that ministry leaders can facilitate with their own staff and volunteers. Through this training, volunteers learn how to:

       ·Minister to kids from hard places

       ·De-escalate challenging behaviors

       ·Teach all children more effectively

       ·Create safe, life-changing small groups

After reviewing the curriculum, our Volunteer Advisory Board voted

to implement the training giving us a consistent, high-quality curriculum

we can rotate through with both new and returning volunteers.

We began with the first session last month (January) and will continue

with one session each quarter throughout the year. We’re excited to see

how this training will help our volunteers grow in confidence, compassion, and understanding and better serve the kids in our care.

Interested in volunteering with Rock House Kids? Learn more and get involved by visiting

👉rockhousekids.org/get-involved