HEALING STARTS HERE

COMMUNITY AWARDS & HONORS

2017 - Sara’s House/Place Melvenna Fant-Jones honored with the “I Am A Survivor” Award

2019 - Honda / USA Today Melvenna Fant-Jones honored as the Inspiration Winner

2022 - Eastpointe / Roseville Chamber of Commerce "You've Made a Difference"

2023 - Wayne Metro Community Champion Honoree

2023 - Out Wayne COC Community Champion Honoree

2023 - Detroit Piston's Melvenna Fant-Jones honored as “Woman of the Week”

2024 - FLAME Cares Contest Grant Winner

2024 - Community Choice Awards Best Non-Profit/Charity Organization Top 3

2024 - National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc - Melvenna Fant-Jones honored as the “Unsung Hero”

2024 - Macomb County Business Awards Non-Profit of the Year Honoree

Our WHEAT Board:

• Founder/Executive Director, Melvenna Fant-Jones
• Program Manager, Dominic Vincenti
• Finance Manager, Jalen Garrett
• Communications Director, Delorean Ishmon II
• Social Worker, Freda Pearson
• Advocate, Briana Cobb
• Office Manager, Jacqueline Fant
  

Hear from our founder/ceo, melvenna fant - jones

wheat’s “healing starts here” approach:

WHEAT is committed to providing trauma-informed comprehensive case management support services that are healing centered and promote a safe inclusive empowering environment for survivors of domestic violence, non-intimate partner sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as youth and families experiencing homelessness while fostering a culture of respect and equality within our community. With a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, intervention, and advocacy, we strive to address the root causes of domestic violence, non-intimate partner sexual assault, and human trafficking, and create a future free from abuse. WHEAT is committed to raise awareness, offer support, and work tirelessly to break the chains of domestic violence, non-intimate sexual assault, and human trafficking. It's imperative that we create a culture where survivors feel empowered to seek help without fear of judgment or stigma. Every survivor deserves to know that they are not alone, that there is hope, and that there are resources available to assist them on their journey to safety and healing. WHEAT’s work has contributed to breaking cycles of violence, empowering survivors, and their families in creating a safer, more resilient community. WHEAT has a great commitment to producing lasting change and fostering positive transformation in the community that is welcoming, and avoids re-traumatizing survivors.

Trauma-informed comprehensive case management support services are an integral part of the mission of WHEAT. Responsiveness to survivors’ needs and presenting situation are components of a process designed to maximize the survivors and their family’s self-sufficiency and self-determination.

The main components of the trauma-informed comprehensive case management support service process of WHEAT include:

•An assessment of the survivors needs.

•Development of a realistic service plan which focuses on survivors gaining independence.

•Provision of assistance in identifying all services needed such as: education, employment, housing and other services.

•Advocacy to overcome barriers in receiving required services.

This approach will allow for emotional, social, moral, and physical safety to survivors in crisis and seeks the survivors’ input into all aspects of service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

A trauma-informed comprehensive case management support service that is trauma-informed:

•Realizes the impact of trauma

•Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma

•Responds by integrating knowledge of trauma into practices

•Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.

EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CHANGE

WHAT SERVICES DOES WHEAT PROVIDE?

Trauma-Informed Comprehensive Case Management Support Services:

WHEAT provides warm referral services to assist in locating and securing emergency, transitional, and/or permanent housing, securing education, employment, and/or occupational training, and assisting with community reintegration by providing necessary services such as transportation vouchers, counseling, childcare services, limited legal services, and culturally specific wellness activities (such as Yoga/Meditation, Reiki, Support Group, Trauma Release Exercise – TRE, and trauma-informed dance classes).

Training and Capacity Building Services:

WHEAT organizes workshops, and educational seminars on topics such as financial literacy, safety planning, goal planning, mental awareness, and trauma-informed care, community events, and training sessions identifying, addressing, and preventing domestic violence, non-intimate sexual assault, and human trafficking. WHEAT develops and implements awareness campaigns through various media channels, community events, and educational institutions to challenge social norms, dispel myths, challenge biases, and encourage victims to seek help. WHEAT creates culturally-sensitive and linguistically-appropriate educational materials, including brochures, posters, videos, and social media campaigns. These resources disseminate valuable information about domestic violence, non-intimate partner sexual assault, and human trafficking prevention, warning signs, available resources, and avenues for seeking help.

Trauma-Informed Culturally Specific Survivor-Centered Services:

WHEAT believes that providing a culturally specific survivor-centered, trauma-informed, healing-based service is an effective way to serve Black women survivors followed by techniques and tools that advocates can use to better serve Black women survivors. A survivor-centered advocacy avoids a “one-size-fits-all” service delivery model by providing services that are designed to meet each survivor’s goals, priorities, needs, and preferences. A culturally specific practice means to proactively integrate awareness of the cultural identities of survivors and staff and into our services, policies, structures, and environment. Trauma-informed care recognizes the pervasiveness and impact of trauma on survivors, staff, organizations, and communities, and therefore we ensure that this understanding is incorporated into every aspect of WHEAT’s administration, culture, environment, and service delivery. A healing-based approach highlights how survivors use their power to intentionally access resources and supports despite their marginalized identities. This approach acknowledges and respects survivors’ autonomy, and decision-making potential.

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