Life can be difficult and bad things happen. At our best, community comes together to understand and support each other in times of trauma. When Harm Occurs – Becoming a Trauma-Responsive Community will help all of us strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes that we need to be stronger together.

On Wednesday, October 21 from 7–9pm, Lanark County Community Justice and Perth and District Community Foundation are inviting people across Lanark County to gather in small groups, or participate as individuals, to watch and listen to a virtual presentation by Métis lawyer, educator, and host of the Trauma-Informed Lawyer podcast, Myrna McCallum.

To solidify learning and build community, groups will hold in-person discussions when the presentation ends to deepen their knowledge, understanding, and ideas for action. Individual participants can stay online for a virtual discussion. A one-page discussion guide will be available to help facilitate conversation.

Local service agencies, non-profits, charities, clubs, faith groups, service clubs, sports organizations, health providers, municipal governments, friend groups, schools, families and more are all welcome.

This event recognizes that trauma impacts how people think, feel, behave, and respond — sometimes in ways that may appear confusing, disruptive, or challenging to others. Without understanding trauma, communities risk responding to challenges and pain with punishment, exclusion, or further harm.

Myrna will help participants:

Becoming trauma-responsive benefits everyone. It supports healthier relationships, stronger communities, and more humane and effective approaches to justice.

To register, please visit the Perth and District Community Foundation website at pdcf.ca. This event is made possible through a Together for Justice grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario and Community Foundations of Canada.