Manna Soup Kitchen Inc

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What to know when Volunteering in our Drop-in Center

Principles of Trauma Informed philosophy
•Safety
•Trustworthiness & Transparency
•Peer Support
•Collaboration & Mutuality
•Empowerment & Choice
•Cultural, Historical & Gender Issues

Trauma-informed practices (sometimes referred to as trauma-informed care) are a model for understanding and compassionately serving people who live with, or are affected by, the consequences of toxic stress or trauma. First, by acknowledging the role that trauma has played in their health, behaviors, and relationships. Secondly, by providing services and support in ways that do not blame or re-traumatize a person in need.

Watch A Short Video

Principles of Harm Reduction
HR acknowledges the reality of illicit drug use and abuse, and chooses to address its harmful effects rather than simply ignore or minimize this issue.

HR understands that drug use, abuse, and dependence are complex, multifaceted phenomena, ranging from severe abuse to total abstinence. It acknowledges that some ways of using drugs are clearly safer than others, and that these behaviors exist on a continuum.

Recognizing Opioid Overdose
Harm Reduction 101 YouTube
TED Talk on HR
What Is Harm Reduction

Language & Intent vs. Impact
•Safe, calm and secure environment with supportive care
•System wide understanding of trauma prevalence, impact and trauma informed care
•Cultural Competence and Humility
•Consumer voice, choice and self-advocacy
•Recovery, consumer-driven and trauma specific services and/or supports
•Healing, hopeful, honest and trusting relationships

The focus is on using inclusive and respectful language. The goal is to choose language that honors our differences and avoids reinforcing the harmful labels imposed by societal systems. This involves being open to learning from one another about how words can either empower or limit us. It also means respecting the names, pronouns, and other terms people ask us to use when referring to them. 

Short video on De-escalation


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Copyright © 2025 · 48 Elm St Northampton MA 01060 · 413-887-0500 · info at mannanorthampton dot org · Mission Statement: To nourish people with food and community, doing so with dignity and respect with the goal of positively impacting as many lives as possible. Log in