The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce is proud to highlight for-profits and nonprofits working together for a better Arlington.
Hagar’s Heart and Salyer Counseling Group joined forces to leverage their strengths and resources to benefit the greater Arlington community, aligning with the missions of both organizations. Hagar’s Heart, a nonprofit, cares for domestic violence survivors through self-care initiatives aimed to support, educate and empower them. Salyer Counseling, a for-profit, provides therapeutic practice and ethical service provision in the context of authentic human connection.
Their shared commitment to enhancing individual well-being through education, support, empowerment and a focus on personal value ignited their partnership. By collaborating, they can offer more comprehensive services, including self-care workshops and outreach programs tailored to the mental health needs of trauma survivors. This partnership enables them to make a greater impact together, fostering a healthier and more supportive environment for everyone they serve.
“We believe that a crucial step toward addressing the mental health crisis in our communities is ensuring the sustainability of mental health professionals. Many qualified individuals are leaving clinical roles for non-clinical positions due to burnout, especially in trauma work and victim services,” Jennifer Jones, executive director of Hagar’s Heart, said. “Our commitment to fostering healthy environments for mental health workers supports their long-term careers and aligns with Hagar’s Heart mission to promote healing for domestic violence survivors. We prioritize self-care for both survivors and those who support them, recognizing its importance in creating lasting change. We are better together.”
The partnership between these two organizations started after Jones and Kasey Salyer, owner of Salyer Counseling Group, met at an Arlington Wellness Coalition meeting.
Salyer, who previously worked in a nonprofit focused on crime victim services, was inspired by Jones’s dedication to evidence-based practices and her efforts to enhance care for both survivors and their supporters. Meanwhile, Jones, a domestic violence survivor herself, felt a sense of comfort with Salyer due to her understanding of the mental effects of abuse and her ability to empower those who have experienced it. Their initial conversation quickly evolved into brainstorming sessions on how their organizations could join forces to create a greater impact.
Salyer began engaging with Hagar’s Heart constituents through initiatives like “Self-Care Lunch and Learns” and “Revive & Thrive: Nurturing the Caregiver” events. These programs focus on educating participants about the significance of self-care and providing practical strategies for improving mental health and overall wellness.
Recognizing the effects of vicarious trauma on shelter employees, Jones sought to offer support to caregivers facing the challenges of trauma through these sessions. Salyer’s expertise in trauma and mental health enriches these events, equipping attendees with valuable insights to incorporate self-care into their daily routines. The gatherings also allow Salyer to highlight the impactful therapy services available at Salyer Counseling Group.
“I wanted to find someone who recognized that social and emotional healing can take many forms,” Jones said. “Kasey has done extensive research to ensure she can support people at their unique emotional stages.”
It’s hard to find people who understand the complexities of trauma, specifically domestic violence, something Jones says is more than a black eye.
“96% of women share that they’ve experienced emotional and verbal abuse, yet we only see the physical effects of violence in the media,” Jones said. “Our goal at Hagar’s Heart is to have sound information on how quality of self-care, healthy ways to heal and strong support from the mental health field are important.”
Hagar’s Heart’s educational initiatives are supported by Salyer through various speaking opportunities, where she shares her expertise. With Salyer’s strong trauma-informed foundation, Jones feels confident referring clients who could benefit from care at Salyer Counseling Group.
“Although there can be notable differences between nonprofit and for-profit missions in mental health care, the partnership between Hagar’s Heart and Salyer Counseling, demonstrates that it is possible to prioritize quality client care, provider sustainability and community wellness in both sectors,” Jones said.
The Greater Arlington Chamber wants to share how our members are partnering together to better impact the greater Arlington community. The goal is to share your stories and encourage others to build similar partnerships because we really are better together. If you would like to highlight a current partnership between a for-profit business and a nonprofit organization, fill out this form.