Update on Maui deployment: our team was given incredible favor among the largest unseen group affected by the fires, the Filipinos. 50% of Lahaina’s population is made up of Filipino and many work in the service industry (hotels & resorts). Because of the unaffordable housing crisis before the fires, many houses had multiple structures built on their properties that weren’t insured. In our hotel, we were able to meet with all the housecleaners, maintenance workers, and groundskeepers. We were able to “talk story” (have a meaningful conversation) to hear their story and hold that space for them.  This is the beginning of trauma-informed care.

We used the acronym BARN as we trained care counselors on how to begin having healing conversations. B = be present, look at people when talking, and pay full attention. A= Ask open-ended questions. We asked 3 questions: What happened? Where were you? What was the hardest part? R= Reflective listening or repeating what you heard. An opportunity to show empathy. N = Normalize and validate what they went through and recognize how hard the traumatic situation was.

AOM was able to give and offer hope, to bring smiles and some joy by taking the time to “talk story” with them.