RESTORE partners with local churches to co-development of a program for resisting oppression-based stress caused by anti-Black racism

In early 2023, RESTORE joined a coalition with local churches including Roxbury Presbyterian, St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, and Twelfth Baptist Church to co-create supports for resisting the harms of anti-Black racism on individuals and communities. The coalition was previously established by Dr. Devin Cromartie, a psychiatrist at Boston Medical Center and First Lady of Twelfth Baptist Church.  

Recognizing that churches are not just places of worship but integral pillars of support and resilience in marginalized neighborhoods, RESTORE assembled oppression-based stress advisory boards to drive a program development and evaluation project that centers the lived experiences of the people in the community. Through monthly meetings and open dialogue, the board foster trust, engagement, and a sense of ownership of wellness programming.  

Using an approach called Intervention Mapping, The RESTORE team has been in the process of piloting the program—called Reconnect—at Boston Medical Center and Twelfth Baptist Church. The team will continue to revise the program manual after each delivery, so that the input of group participants is also integrated into the programming. The RESTORE team continues to meet with the advisory boards to ensure that the project is staying on mission, and to advise on the evolution of the program over time.  

After the manual is finalized, RESTORE will continue the partnership with churches to expand delivery of Reconnect within the church. The latest version of Reconnect was facilitated by a church member and a licensed therapist. 

Facilitators (Left to Right): Eric M. Brown, PhD, MDiv, LPC; Kalo Sokoto, PhD; Joseli Alonzo, LCSW; Sushmita Oruganti, PsyD; Lawrence Stevenson, MA; Zina Nord, BS