Different Paths: Interview with Heather Dearman Resiliency Reimagined

Heather Dearman, CEO of the 720 Foundation, describes the nuances in her, her family's, and her community's, journey in recovery from the 2012 shooting at Century 16 movie theater in Aurora Colorado.  She considers her definition of resiliency and things that have been impactful in her journey.  

Heather highlights the power of community following tragedy.  How support systems, and seeking support have shifted for her, while also acknowledging how her perspective on seeking support has changed.  She reflects on how her views related to who is impacted by mass violence have changed, as well as how it has been beneficial for her to shift into advocacy related to gun violence.  

She discusses the impact of one child in Missouri inspired the creation of the memorial for the theater shooting, and continues to inspire many to send support to other's following mass violence through the creation of paper cranes.  

Heather discusses the Survivors of Tragedy Outreach Program (STOP) and the importance of peer to peer support in trauma recovery, whether through this program or through the Rebel's project.  



Further information on the 720 Foundation can be found: https://www.7-20memorial.org/

The Rebels Project: https://www.therebelsproject.org/

STOP: https://www.tuesdayschildren.org/our-programs/community-resilience/#:~:text=The%20Survivors%20of%20Tragedy%20Outreach,to%20help%20other%20communities%20heal.

Also, to see what we are up to at the Center for Strength visit: https://www.center4strength.org/