Connect, Co-create Context, Express Yourself, & Heal.
FirstPerson Narratives Foundation (FirstPerson) funds expressive arts programs where adults who experienced family system trauma explore their life stories, reclaim their sense of self, and connect with community—supporting personal healing, breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, and fostering resilience.
What is Family System Trauma?
Family system trauma (FST) is what happens when the people who were supposed to protect us couldn't—not because they were bad, but because they were hurt, overwhelmed, or struggling themselves.
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When we grow up with ongoing stress in our families, our bodies and brains learn to prioritize survival. We become experts at reading the room, managing others' emotions, staying small, or shutting down. These strategies kept us safe then, but they can make it hard to connect now—with ourselves, with others, and with the life we want to create.
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FST affects how our nervous system works, making it difficult to find our words, stay grounded under stress, and make sense of what we've been through. But healing is possible. It starts with understanding what happened, recognizing how we adapted to survive, and building new pathways for safety, connection, and self-expression.
Let's Connect
Join us in co-creating healing-centered storytelling initiatives. We seek to learn from and collaborate with thought leaders, wellbeing practitioners, teaching artists, program advisors, and other contributors involved in healing-centered engagement. Contact us to learn more, fill out the form, or email development@first-person.org.