Anchors of Hope | 2026
Honoring Trauma-Sensitive Change-Makers
James B. Congdon Elementary School, New Bedford, Ma
William Seach Elementary School, Weymouth, Ma
Join us for a powerful evening as we celebrate the Manthala George, Jr. Global Studies School community that serve as an Anchor of Hope. Hosted by The Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIfTS), this event recognizes the educators and leaders who are making a lasting impact through trauma-sensitive practices—creating safe, supportive, and equitable learning environments for all students.
We are proud to recognize James B. Congdon Elementary School, New Bedford, Ma, and William Seach Elementary School, Weymouth, Ma, for their dedication to trauma-sensitive education and their commitment to fostering resilience and inclusion.
The Safe and Supportive Trauma Sensitive School Award recognizes schools that have created a safe, supportive, equitable, and inclusive school climate/culture of belonging for all students. It is a school where addressing trauma’s impact on learning, including trauma from racism and other structural inequities, on a whole school basis is central to its educational mission.
To qualify for the award, a school must:
Establish a shared understanding among staff of traumatic experiences and its impacts;
Engage in an inquiry-based reflection/action planning process to weave trauma-sensitive approaches into their practice; and
Utilize the transformative beliefs of a trauma-sensitive school to guide their action planning and decision-making throughout the school.
To apply for the award, building-based leaders should complete the following steps:
Notify the Lesley University Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIfTS) that you wish to apply for the award here (This would be a button connecting them to the awards page).
Complete the Trauma Sensitive Schools application on the awards page.
Complete the Trauma Sensitive Schools Assessment on the awards page.
