Raven Drum Foundation's New Trauma and Resiliency Program is a multi-modal, comprehensive program for survivors of traumatic events extending the range of natural disasters to human rights abuse, such as war and torture. The primary focus of our program is on Veterans of the war, many of who are returning home with emotional, physical and psychological wounds. Our commitment to these warriors is a primary motivational force in our decision to focus our work on trauma survivors.

Our Trauma & Resiliency specialist and Program Director, Amber Elizabeth Lynn Gray, MA, MPH, LPC/C, ADTR, NCC, Ph.D. Candidate, has been working with us since December 2006 developing this program which is created from a body mind therapeutic model that incorporates group drumming.

With Director and Therapist Amber Gray we have integrated this model into a unique format that is used specifically for the benefit of trauma survivors. This format, as well as other modalities such as EMDR (a powerful and widely recognized main-stream therapy based on bilateral stimulation, like drumming), evidenced-based psychotherapies, traditional psychotherapy, and ecopsychology, will be offered in a retreat setting for veterans and survivors of human rights abuses. This modified model will also be taught to health professionals in partner organizations that are serving similar populations, and used to provide services directly to veterans.

You can support this special program by making a donation. Raven Drum is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation. All donations are Tax-deductible.

Please specify that the donation benefit
the "Trauma and Resiliency Program"

OR

Mail a check or money order to:
The Raven Drum Foundation
9595 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

PAST PROGRAMS

Raven Drum Ensemble: Drum Ensemble is a 6-8 week program that teaches the cultural art form of traditional West African drumming and gives incarcerated teens the experience of working together toward a successful performance goal. Students learn artistic skills and receive positive mentoring in the process. Important principles such as respect, cooperation, mental focus, precision of action, and discipline are imparted in the old manner of apprenticeship.

Raven Drum Council: Empowerment and education through guidance, group sharing and drumming. This program delves deep into behavioral, spiritual, and communication skills that support at risk youth and incarcerated teens. A Rites of Passage Program which culminates in a community supported initiation into adulthood.

Raven Drum Healing Circles: Transformative circles for empowering and awakening individuals working through life transition, crisis and recovery. Activities include Creative Visualization, Subtle Energy Healing, Movement, and Drumming.

Raven Drum Community Circle: Raven Drum Circles are directed and supported drum circles with specific intentions of healing and empowerment. There is time for introspection and silence as well as energetic rhythms. All circles follow a specific format for healing that is supported and directed by the facilitators that include principles of intention, rhythm, breathing and visualization so participants may be led into an experience of self and others.

Wisdom Keepers Program: Elder/Youth Mentorship: The foundation sponsors elders from cultures around the world to council and provide emotional support to at-risk youth. This program develops an awareness of multi-cultural spirituality and education, creates the inner awareness that the youth are truly cared for, and fosters an understanding of the value of elders in the community.

 

PROGRAMS RAVEN DRUM SPONSORED IN 2007

MERCY CORP and THE NEW ORLEANS DRUM GROUP
The modified drum circle program preserves New Orleans’ indigenous music through traditional drumming, and Mardi Gras Indian and brass band customs. It simultaneously provides youth and adults with a creative outlet to deal with their post-Katrina emotions, to heal, and to develop a sense of community and community support.

CHUMASH MUSIC AND LANGUAGE PROJECT
With the help of program student and graduate, Tim Henry from UCSB, and under the direction of language Professor Dr. Maryann Mithun, RDF is sponsoring a series of 4 language programs for the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians. These programs will be broken down into 2 categories: 1) How to pronounce words and useful phrases, and 2) Chumash language appreciation: How to understand Chumash language on its own terms and how it differs from other language. We will focus on the Ventureno dialect of the Chumash language, this is the dialect the Chumash spoke in Ventura County. Also Included will be a one day music workshop on Chumash Indigenous music with Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait. All sessions will be geared for children and adults who are of Chumash descent and are members of the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians.

PROGRAMS DEVELOPED IN 2007

TRAUMA/CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
(Teacher Trainings for health care and crisis practitioners that would ultimately serve veterans & at-risk youth communities)

THE ROOTS OF RHYTHM IN THE RESTORATIVE PROCESS

• Psychobiological foundation for using rhythm as an intervention post exposure to stress, trauma, disaster
• Provide training to local staff for intervention with female, child survivors of interpersonal, familial abuse using rhythm based dance/movement therapy
• Provide a 1-2 day training called “Trauma and the Body” to local clinical and non-clinical staff working with trauma survivors in various settings

2007 OUTREACH

Camp Kilpatrick - Camp Kilpatrick is a detention center for young males between the ages of 12 and 17. Raven Drum facilitates two ongoing programs at Camp Kilpatrick. A monthly drum circle program that focus on drumming, sound, visualization, and subtle energy techniques for empowerment and stress relief and a weekly Life Skills Class that involves instruction in anger management, money management, career planning, resume-writing and job interview skills. The goal is to empower these teenagers with spiritual and practical skills that they can use throughout their life.

Mercy Corps – Mercy Corps is a global NGO that works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds. The organizations mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Raven Drum’s work with Mercy Corp involved a 2 day staff workshop and a Community Drum Circle for Adults and Youth of New Orleans

Fogo es Fuerza - Fogo es Fuerza AC is a Mexican non-profit organization focused on promoting the importance of the emotional well-being. Since its foundation, Fogo has been working with children diagnosed with cancer, and recently with kids with brain paralysis. This has all been possible through alliance with some other organizations, like "Alianza Anticancer Infantil" that helps 175 children get their cancer treatment. Raven Drum has provided support for Fogo in its effort to bring therapeutic drum circles to the kids and their families through Teacher/Staff Workshops and Community Drum Circles in Monterrey and Satillo Mexico.

The Simonton Cancer Center - The Simonton Cancer Center offers a "New Patient Program" for cancer patients and their support person. In these sessions, Dr. Simonton presents the refined specific information for increasing survival, decreasing tumor growth and most important, improving the quality of life of the individual. Raven Drum provides Healing Drum Circles to Simonton retreat participants by empowering individuals working through life transition, illness and recovery in Santa Barbara , Ca.

Ventura County Juvenile Facilities - VCJF is a Ventura County Probations Dept affiliated detention center for Boys and Girls 12-17 yrs of age. Youth under their care are provided constructive individual and group activities within the facilities. Educational programming includes accredited studies, psychiatric and crisis intervention services as well as group, individual, and family therapy within the facility. Cognitive behavior therapy programming is provided by probation staff and community based organizations. These programs include a gang intervention program, a gender specific program for females (Girls Inc.), and a problem solving/social skills program (Thinking for a Change). Additional programming includes: a tolerance program, parenting classes, tutoring, anger management, substance abuse counseling, chess, music and dance programs. Raven Drum has supported VCJF with Staff Introductory Drum Circles and Youth Drum Ensemble.

Journey to the Heart - Journey to the Heart (JTTH) is dedicated to the protection and promotion of indigenous traditions and healing systems through cross-cultural awareness and the formation of collaborative partnerships with people of diverse teachings and spiritual traditions based on the principle of spiritual ecology. Raven Drum has begun a collaborative partnership with JTTH to create musical, drumming, and cultural events for the public and educational experiences to individuals in our outreach programs.

Children’s Lifesaving Foundation - The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation (CLF) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization, dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of L.A.’s and Ventura Counties’ at-risk and homeless youth and their families by financially helping them move out of a shelter into a home, and by creating positive opportunities through educational, creative, recreational and environmental camps. Raven Drum Provided the experiences of Community Drum Circle with children and their parents along with CLF friends and staff.

LA’s Best - LA’s Best provided after school enrichment programs through LA Unified school district. Raven Drum provided specialized drumming and music therapy classes for the L.A.’s Best special education children at Loman Elementary and Arminta Middle School in North Hollywood.

Malibu High School - Raven Drum facilitation with Malibu High School’s Special Education class. Raven Drum facilitated monthly drumming and music therapy circles throughout the 2004-2005 school year.