The Harbor
PSU Capstone Project - Nadia Khendek - Summer 2022
The harbor is clatsop county's sole advocacy center for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking |
Established in 1976 as a crisis line, their services have evolved to include a 24 hour support line and crisis response, a drop-in advocacy center, confidential shelter, and wrap-around services. They work from a trauma-informed empowerment model that believes every person has the capacity to make the best decisions for their own situation. Our main purpose is to provide information in order for people to make their own informed decisions on their needs and wants.
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Moving Forward
I believe my work at the Harbor is just beginning. There is still a lot for me to learn from both this organization and my community, and in the process there is a lot for me to teach. I plan to begin the advocacy training course as well as take crisis calls after the training is complete. I plan to use the skills I obtain from this opportunity to aid in bettering my community, wherever that may be, in the years to come.
Advocating for those who have yet to find their voice is something I have learned to be difficult yet awarding. There are ups and downs, some who need a little extra help to get out of their shell, and a need for lots of patience and empathy. Educating myself and my community has been an amazing opportunity that has helped me broaden how I view and interact with others.
Discussing vulnerability is never easy, but once we get past the shame of being vulnerable, the view of it being a weakness, a lot of opportunity to build oneself arrises. I included Brene Brown's TEDTalk on listening to shame and vulnerability which has been very empowering to myself and hopefully to others. |
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