Our mission, as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is to empower at-risk people with resiliency skills developed in spaces designed using trauma-informed research
Our Vision
“The success of this project is that everyone has a valuable part to play. These gardens are being built by the community for the community. They are owned by the community and valued by the community. The aim is to celebrate everyone involved every step of the way. Life is about celebrating the little things which, when gathered together, become the most valuable things – they are the essence of what creates shared happiness.” – Natasha Donnelly, Ph.D.
TFTC Gardens stands for
- T=Trauma informed,
- F= Focused on resiliency strategies,
- T= Therapeutic,
- C= community engagement, healthy conversations
- Gardens = sensory planting
Space Requirements
This is a mental health initiative designed to promote positive emotional well-being using indoor and outdoor spaces public and institutional spaces. Our spaces will introduce trauma-informed care initiatives to encourage emotional recovery and the building of resiliency skills. Resiliency skills will reduce the risk of suicide, improve mental well-being.
TFTC Gardens is a concept that recognizes the impact of adverse childhood events. Our spaces are therapeutically designed so that users can learn simple resiliency strategies that can be used now and in their future day-to-day lives.
Each space requires a brochure or interactive signs to inform the user of how each section can benefit their experience. For example, explanations about breathing, how to use imagery to relax, to stop and listen to the garden sounds, to discuss an aspect of the garden with another person, to walk and breath, to explore textures, to use the stepping stones over the river design, to explore and acknowledge how they are feeling right now, to be able to de-stress and situate themselves in the here and now.
“These emotional expression spaces are based on concepts that can be specifically designed for both public and private use, in any setting and for any age group. We all need little things to help us with our emotional wellbeing.” Natasha Donnelly, Ph.D.
Our History
Our Founder and President, Natasha Donnelly, Ph.D., is passionate about designing initiatives to promote Trauma-Focused care and has been involved in therapeutic designs of indoor and outdoor spaces since 2004. In 2013 Natasha completed her Ph.D. which was an analysis of stories written by those who had made a serious suicide attempt. Natasha discovered how important resiliency strategies were to be able to navigate through life.
In 2014, Natasha began researching the concept of Trauma-Focused Sensory Gardens and in 2016 took the idea to Juvenile Justice! In 2017, Natasha knew that she needed expertise for the sensory planting aspects of this initiative, so she approached NC State University and was directed to faculty and students who were able to assist by providing ideas and suggestions.
In 2019, a committee was formed to create an inclusive environment to bring trauma-focused therapeutic community gardens to at-risk youth and communities around the world. This committee has filed with the state of North Carolina as a charitable organization and with the United States government as a 501c3 nonprofit organization known as Trauma Focused Therapeutic Community (TFTC) Gardens. Get to know our organization leaders and Board of Directors.