Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashida Hameed.
Hi Rashida, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Lifelong resident of southeast San Diego. After becoming involved in At Risk behaviors and being arrested several times, I eventually decided to turn my life around and become an example for other women who had a desire for positive change as well. In early 2010 I Founded Epiphany Women In Focus, with the Mission to assist All Women in reaching their maximum potential by providing safe spaces using Restorative, trauma-informed care to assist with healing from adverse childhood experiences and traumas while allowing access to the tools needed to begin their healing process. Empowering women with the space, information, education, resources and referrals needed to obtain successful skills for coping with life and life’s disappointments. Which eventually expanded to include support for Children, Men and Families.
I have lived experience which often helps me relate to those I serve.
I believe my Purpose is “ To continue to Learn, Grow and Teach others.” and I continue to do this by using restorative healing circles and providing group therapy using Trauma Informed Care and emotional support/intelligence. I am a proud Community Mentor and graduate of Alliant University, I am also a Graduate of the RISE Urban Leadership Academy at the University of San Diego, Licensed in Restorative practices, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health First Aid, Domestic Violence Counseling and Financial literary. I also serve on several Boards and recently opened the first Community Empowerment Center in Southeast San Diego, intentionally named “T.H.E C.I.R.C.L.E”
(Training, Healing, Educating Community Inspiring, Resolution of Conflicts and Leadership Empowerment) where we provide all services at no-cost to Community Members.
We offer a wide range of free classes, trainings, workshops and conflict resolution services at NO COST to all community members. In addition, we provide emergency resource needs including but not limited to, food pantry, emergency clothing supplies, hygiene packets, computer lab, printing services, resume support, financial literacy classes, health and wellness classes, certification trainings, healing circles, gardening classes, COVID testing, job readiness classes, mentorship, emotional support, case management, wrap-around services and so much more.
Our goal is to provide solutions to challenges that are hindering community members from transitioning, healing and thriving! This is a hub for the community that provides every available community resource, on a warm referral basis, to those who needs available services. This center is ran by community members in support of community members.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The welcome from the community has been amazing! Donations come in daily and still could never be enough. We are receiving referrals from other agencies, and we have only been open for eight days. Our biggest obstacle has been consistent funding to cover operations.
We’ve been impressed with T.H.E C.I.R.C.L.E by Epiphany, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Trauma Informed Healing Space for Men, Women and Children. We provide Conflict Resolution, Self- Esteem Building, Networking opportunities, referrals and more. Epiphany provides a safe space for Community members to heal from Trauma.
We work with the most vulnerable populations to assist with processing and healing from deep-rooted trauma.
We use trauma-informed healing circles and community building to obtain our best results. Our mentoring concept includes but is not limited to Community Mentors with Lived Experience who are often relatable to our client’s situations. We offer a variety of options for restorative Trauma Informed Healing using the assistance of lived experience to play a key role in the healing process of our participants. Our services include but are not limited to the following:
– Emotional Support/Healing/ Wellness
– Trauma Informed Healing Circles
– Peer to Peer Mentoring
– One on One Assessments
– Bullying Education / Prevention / Intervention
– Lived Experience Education/ Intervention/ Prevention (workshops/trainings)
– Restorative Practitioner Certifications
– Community Building
– Case Management
– Anger Management
– Self-Esteem Building
– Wrap Around Services
– Restorative Healing Circles
– Restorative Conferences (conflict resolution)
– Emergency resource needs, including but not limited to, food pantry, emergency clothing supplies, hygiene packets,
– Computer lab, printing services, resume support,
– Financial literacy classes, health and wellness classes,
– Healing circles,
– Gardening,
– Job readiness classes, mentorship, emotional support, case management, wrap-around services
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was the oldest child of four so I was often distracted by my environment. I was exploratory at an early age because I was younger than most of those around me. I went to a Muslim school which allowed me to start school at the age of three and I graduated high school at 16 years old. I was very impressionable and vulnerable because I didn’t have an older sibling to turn to. My parents and I saw life much differently and they often thought of me as a discipline problem. Eventually, after several bumps on the head and even being arrested a few times, I decided to change my way of thinking, acting and responding which eventually paid off….
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Epiphanywomeninfocus.org
- Facebook: Epiphany Women in-focus
