Trauma-Informed Spaces to Support Trauma-Informed Care – From Guest Blogger Dawnya Underwood

Since 1912, Lutheran Social Services (LSS) has been fulfilling its mission “to create a better world by serving people in need” by addressing hunger, housing, healing, and hope. LSS is a network of hope operating food pantries, two homeless shelters, a domestic violence shelter, an information and referral hotline, 21 affordable housing communities and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities. LSS also operates several assisted living and skilled care facilities and a home health care service that generate excess revenue with the goal to offset the overhead of our social service programs.

In 2022, The Health Center at Faith Mission, an LSS-affiliated Federally Qualified Health Centers has partnered with Triad to renovate our existing health and wellness center. The Health Center provides primary care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, vison, and dental services to underserved populations in Franklin County, primarily to residents of downtown Columbus. LSS has chosen to contract with Triad to complete a master plan and conceptual design study, which will include and existing condition assessment. The focus of Triad’s work in Ohio’s diverse communities, commitment to create trauma-informed spaces and the belief that architecture has an innate ability to transform people and place, make this partnership so dynamic. LSS is excited and proud to work with Triad, to infuse architecture quality and innovation that embodies LSS values for the betterment of the people’s lives we serve.

Working closely with clinical and administrative staff, Triad’s staff will utilize a forward-thinking approach to respond to our growing needs and conceptual planning within our limited space constraints. LSS has gather funding to carry out the renovations project to partner with Triad to complete the fully accessible renovations and expansion of the Health Center at Faith Mission that include an inspirational and welcoming entry space with an informative media wall, examine rooms, meeting spaces, offices, and ample patient privacy, which will become a model environment for nurturing wellness and excellent patient care.

WRITTEN BY DAWNYA UNDERWOOD  – VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS – LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES