OUR NAME
Like pearls, many children's stories begin in hard places. Just as it takes time for a grain of sand to transform inside an oyster, it can take years of being surrounded by loving relationships for these children to heal. Often, this path is not easy and it can be difficult for foster and adoptive families to see the beauty in their hard work. We offer hope and practical help to these families through trauma-informed educational opportunities and support groups. We also believe children from hard places need to be surrounded by a community who is trauma-informed. We are committed to bringing Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) to teachers, case workers, church volunteers and anyone who works with children. Our desire is that through healthy connections, vulnerable children will feel safe, know they have a voice and ultimately, discover that they are precious.
OUR STORY
In 2013, our family began a foster journey that unexpectedly turned into an adoption adventure. We listened politely as people told us that what we were doing was beautiful, not wanting to admit that it felt anything but that. In fact, there were days when it looked downright ugly. We felt tired, overwhelmed and alone. We quickly learned that the more traditional parenting style that worked well for our biological children was not going to work with our children with a history of trauma. It was at our lowest point that we discovered the work of Dr. Karyn Purvis at an Empowered to Connect Conference. It gave us more empathy for our children's history, hope that we could help them heal, and most importantly, practical parenting tools. We will forever be students of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and it is our mission to bring trauma-informed support to families like ours-families who need to know that there is beauty in their hard work. -Joy and Stephen Zedler
THE PEARL PROJECT
BOARD MEMBERS
Kristy Gibboney-President
Justin Lloyd-Vice President
Laurie Walker-Treasurer
Stephen Zedler-Secretary
Cindy Lowe-Board Member
Michael Miller-Board Member
Beth Willis-Board Member
Joy Zedler-Board Member
TEAM MEMBERS
Joy Zedler-Executive Director, MHR, TBRI Practitioner
Katie Fanning- Director of Education
Tabitha Ferraro- Bookkeeper
Gainesville, FL
Christy Conner- TBRI Practitioner
Lynn Haven, FL
Jenn Werden- TBRI Practitioner
Ocala, FL
Beth Willis-TBRI Practitioner
Beau Williams-TBRI Practitioner
Jeanee Snipes- TBRI Practitioner
Hilary Ovalle- TBRI Practitioner
Selena Garrison- TBRI Practitioner
Curtis Garrison- TBRI Practitioner
Alicia Gilliam- Closet Queen
Winter Garden, FL
Terri DeMarco- TBRI Practitioner
Mary Ann Day-TBRI Practitioner
Leslie Fuller-TBRI Practitioner