When children arrive at Hephzibah Home, they come from unimaginable circumstances and were almost always abused and neglected. They are often on high alert and fearful of their surroundings and staff who are suddenly caring for them. Staff at Hephzibah Home are never surprised by this reaction, and in fact, believe that this is the exact trauma response children coming from homes filled with abuse and neglect should have.
Staff immediately get to work with new arrivals taking time getting to know each child and tailoring individual recovery programs as they are slowly introduced to different forms of therapeutic treatment. One of these is nature therapy, an innovative ground-breaking form of trauma treatment, led by Hephzibah Art Therapist, Jenny Wise.
As part of her therapy Jenny has partnered with local beekeeper Konni Vukelic, owner of Three Bees Honey. After being awarded a beekeeping mentorship grant last year, Jenny has expanded her program to include more opportunities for the children at the home to experience the joys of beekeeping at the Three Bees apiary. One very interested youth even participated in the splitting of the Hephzibah Hive, housed at Three Bees farm. The program is in its second year, and many children have benefited from their time caring for and visiting the hive.
Their time at the farm allows the children, who often struggle to find ways to regulate their emotions, to occupy their minds by caring for other living organisms and spending time in nature—always an effective therapeutic tool. Nature therapy is proven to decrease distress and anxiety and increase mindfulness, which for children in trauma recovery is essential and extremely important.
The benefits are undeniable. However, the greatest advantage may be the joy and happiness the activity brings to every child from Hephzibah Home who experiences it. For these children who have suffered so much pain in their short lives—every smile, every laugh and every spark of joy matters, and dedicated staff like Jenny ensure that the children at Hephzibah Home receive that chance.