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
Administrative Team
Joy Zedler-Executive Director, MHR, TBRI Practitioner
Katie Fanning- Director of Education
Jessica Blagdon-Director of Awesome
Alicia Gilliam- Closet Queen
Tabitha Ferraro- Bookkeeper
TBRI Practitioners
Gainesville, FL
Christy Conner
Lynn Haven, FL
Katie Fanning
Jenn Werden
Niceville, FL
Mary Ann Day
Leslie Fuller
Tyler Fuller
Christy Wyatt
Ocala, FL
Chayil Godlin
Beth Willis
Beau Williams
Jeanee Snipes
Jessica Blagdon
Hilary Ovalle
Selena Garrison
Curtis Garrison
Orlando, FL
Lindsey Munns
Tavares, FL
Brandy Buckner
Winter Garden, FL
Terri DeMarco