Light Beyond the Call of Duty
First Responder Trauma Services Provides Relief, Renewal, and Hope for Those Who Carry the Heaviest Burdens
Article by Dana Olson
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There’s a place… on the edge of Windsor… down a quiet dirt road. It’s a special place… where healing begins, where people feel safe, maybe for the first time in a long time. It’s a welcoming space where there is no reproach but rather complete acceptance.
Two people are at the heart of this haven who know firsthand the plight of their peers for which they provide unceasing vigilance… because they’ve been there. Ed and Joanne Rupert are the founders of First Responders Trauma Services, and they are an ever-present light for those seeking reprieve from the shadows of trauma. Read more...
Harmony Residents Caring
Article by Phil Goldstein, Harmony Resident
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We here at Stroll Harmony love to promote good causes, and one that surely is worthy of our attention has to do with First Responder Trauma Services (FRTS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2022 by Harmony residents since 2014, Joanne and Ed Rupert.
FRTS provides mental health support, crisis response and education for current and retired emergency responders and related frontline workers, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, health care workers, and their legal partners.
The FRTS team, experienced emergency services professionals, ensures that responders have the support, tools and resources needed to manage their well-being as they do the difficult work upon which communities rely. Read more...
At Good Day Pharmacy, we believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in community. And few communities are more deserving of care, compassion, and unwavering support than our first responders. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to partner with 911 Overwatch, an initiative led by First Responder Trauma Counselors, to support the mental and emotional wellness of the heroes who support us every day.
This partnership is more than professional—it’s deeply personal. First responders endure what most of us can’t imagine: long hours, life-threatening emergencies, trauma, loss, and the emotional toll of being someone else’s strength in their darkest moments. 911 Overwatch exists to ensure they never have to carry that weight alone. Read more...
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Here are some ways you can get involved:​
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DONATE: Make a one-time or recurring donation
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VOLUNTEER: Join our volunteer network to help with events or outreach
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SPONSOR: Partner with us to fund programs and expand our reach
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FUNDRAISE: Start your own fundraiser to rally your community around this important cause