FLORIDA CENTER FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. providing Gulf Coast Community Care and noncustodial parents, employment of non custodial parents, noncustodial parent employment program, care management, elderly care, elder mental health, elder care, geriatric mental health, mental health and elderly, violence prevention, intergenerational mentoring, community care for disabled adults and jewish family services.
Florida Center for Survivors of Torture ... Inspiring Hope and Understanding

Services

FCST Newsletter April - July 2008
FCST Newsletter January - March 2008

Volunteer Application

Volunteer Center



Program Description
The Florida Center for Survivors of Torture (FCST) is a nationally and internationally recognized treatment center for survivors of torture and genocide, which is funded directly by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture in Geneva, as well as special funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement in Washington, DC.

The Florida Center provides comprehensive treatment and support services, including medical and psychological care, to victims of torture and state-sponsored genocide who have relocated to the Tampa Bay and Miami-Dade areas from their countries of origin. The FCST is one of only 114 torture treatment centers world-wide, and one of 35 torture treatment centers in the U.S which forms the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs. Our center is accredited by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Utilizing the concept of a Center Without Walls, the FCST contracts with diverse partners including Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services of Florida, Church World Services and Jewish Family Services of South Florida, and partners with the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University. The FCST has recruited, trained and developed a multi-disciplinary network of more than 120 providers including psychiatrists, psychologists, interpreters, social workers, attorneys, and physicians who provide no or low cost services to clients in the communities in which they reside. The Florida Center also engages in research to document best practices in service to torture survivors and contributes to the growing international body of literature on the subject.
refugess and torture survivors
Mission:
The Florida Center for Survivors of Torture, in its commitment to justice and peace building, works locally, nationally and internationally to:
  • Support the successful integration of communities through culturally appropriate advocacy and education
  • Provide research, education and training to expand the awareness and understanding of global conflict and migration
  • Promote human rights worldwide
Vision:
We at the Florida Center for Survivors of Torture envision a world in which every person enjoys human rights and every community torn apart by crisis is given the opportunity for healing and hope.

We hold a primary value of respect for:

  • Individuals and families
  • A diversity of cultures and communities
  • Each contribution that builds hope and healing for a better future

…Inspiring Hope and Understanding


Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. providing Gulf Coast Community Care and noncustodial parents, employment of non custodial parents, noncustodial parent employment program, care management, elderly care, elder mental health, elder care, geriatric mental health, mental health and elderly, violence prevention, intergenerational mentoring, community care for disabled adults, jewish family services, and assitance for HIV/AIDS patients via the Tampa Bay AIDS Network, HIV/AIDS Pinellas, HIV/AIDS Hillsborough, HIV/AIDS Hernando, HIV/AIDS Pasco, HIV/AIDS Florida, TAN, TBAN.
What is Torture?

The Center utilizes the United States definition of torture: “ (1) “torture” means an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control…US Code-Title 18 § 2340

What types of torture have clients experienced?
Depending on their country of origin, clients will have experienced one or more of the following forms of torture: imprisonment, having their personal property destroyed and their homes burned down, being deprived of food and water, separated from family members, witnessing family members being tortured, kidnapped and murdered, having electric shock used on parts of their bodies, being raped or sexually assaulted, genital mutilation, confinement to small spaces, sleep deprivation, burning, isolation, mock executions, pharmacological torture, psychological torture.

What are some common reactions to torture?
Survivors experience a wide range of reactions including:
  • Grief
  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Decrease in various levels of functioning
  • Loss of basic assumptions about humanity: trust, dignity and meaning destroyed
  • Loss of relationships to family, community, cultural and religious systems
  • Fear of law enforcement, government, and the legal system
What services are provided to the clients and the community?

To achieve our mission, the FCST provides a variety of programs.

For survivors of torture, the Center is one of only 35 programs nationally and the only program in the state of Florida designed specifically to meet their needs. Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services has taken the lead in Florida to develop and provide services by partnering with numerous organizations including the major refugee resettlement agencies statewide to provide comprehensive care for survivors of torture and genocide.

Our program's mission is to assist survivors in rebuilding their lives and to empower them through a community-based approach. Our goal is to facilitate the healing process to enable the survivors to become as independent and self-sufficient as possible.

Through our Center Without Walls model, the Center has established a comprehensive network of service providers to serve clients. These resources include medical, psychological, legal and social services. Trained interpreters, collectively speaking approximately 20 languages, are available to accompany clients to appointments if needed. Providers and other community members are trained on working sensitively with torture and trauma survivors, immigration issues, and cultural competency.

Examples of services provided include:
  • Case coordinator and Program Specialists work with clients to assess their needs, establish a client-centered service plan, link clients to the provider network and provide on-going support and advocacy.
  • Client directed groups are facilitated by staff to address specific needs of ethnic communities and include both informational and psycho-educational formats.
  • Refugees are assisted with the citizenship process through coordination of educational, medical, legal and immigration services.
  • Asylum seekers are assisted with the asylum process through coordination of psychological, legal, medical and immigration services.
  • Professional Interpreters are available to interpret for clients at medical, mental health, legal and social service appointments directly related to torture treatment.
Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and private donations.

For area professionals and volunteers we provide a series of educational opportunities. Community education is fostered locally through special events and presentations at colleges, community groups, faith communities and conferences which seek to build a more welcoming community for new Americans.

Current professional development workshops include:
  • Working with Survivors of Torture: An Introduction to the Center
  • New Neighbors: An overview of refugee acculturation and integration issues
  • Bridging the Gap: Working with Interpreters
  • The Road to Becoming a New American: Immigration issues
  • Connecting Across Cultures: Competency in working with clients from Bosnia/Vietnam/Somalia/Columbia
Trainings and workshops can be tailored to the unique needs of your program or office. Please call for details.

How can I get involved?

Volunteers contribute to this program in important ways. Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities at all times of the year. Training and support are provided. Please call to discuss your special talents and our needs!

Volunteers and Interns are always needed to work directly with clients in a variety of ways including:
  • Cultural Liaisons and Mentors
  • Community Guides
  • English Tutors
  • Case Management Assistants
  • Support group assistants
Internships and volunteer work is also available in our office providing support for:
  • Research
  • Program evaluation
  • Administrative support
  • Data input
  • Assisting with community events.
Professional providers are needed to donate their time and talents to serve survivors of torture such as:
  • Dentists
  • Therapists
  • Social Workers
  • Medical Providers
  • Attorneys
Please contact our Center if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, intern or being part of our provider network at (727) 450-7273. Or by email fcst@gcjfs.org
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, INC.
Special Help For Jewish Community Children, Family & Intergenerational Mental Health Services Employment & Job Training Tampa Bay Aids Network Florida Center For Survivors of Torture Disabilities & Frail Elders Affordable Housing & Homeless Programs
SERVICES MODEL PROGRAMS LOCATIONS ABOUT GULF COAST VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES DONATE
NEWS & EVENTS JOB OPPORTUNITIES LINKS TAMPA BAY AIDS NETWORK FLORIDA CENTER FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE HOME PRIVACY NOTICE


Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. providing Gulf Coast Community Care and noncustodial parents, employment of non custodial parents, noncustodial parent employment program, care management, elderly care, elder mental health, elder care, geriatric mental health, mental health and elderly, violence prevention, intergenerational mentoring, community care for disabled adults, jewish family services, and assitance for HIV/AIDS patients via the Tampa Bay AIDS Network, HIV/AIDS Pinellas, HIV/AIDS Hillsborough, HIV/AIDS Hernando, HIV/AIDS Pasco, HIV/AIDS Florida, TAN, TBAN.
Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. providing Gulf Coast Community Care and noncustodial parents, employment of non custodial parents, noncustodial parent employment program, care management, elderly care, elder mental health, elder care, geriatric mental health, mental health and elderly, violence prevention, intergenerational mentoring, community care for disabled adults, jewish family services, and assitance for HIV/AIDS patients via the Tampa Bay AIDS Network, HIV/AIDS Pinellas, HIV/AIDS Hillsborough, HIV/AIDS Hernando, HIV/AIDS Pasco, HIV/AIDS Florida, TAN, TBAN.
Offices in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk,
Sarasota, Lee, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties
14041 Icot Boulevard
Clearwater, FL 33760 		(727) 479-1800
(800) 888-5066
Fax (727) 535-4774

General Information
info@gcjfs.org
Employment Information
HR@gcjfs.org


©2000, 2001, 2004 by Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
7/21/06
Direct links to pages associated with this website: Gulf Coast Jewish Family Service, Inc. Home Page About Gulf Coast Jewish Family Service, Inc. Donate to the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Inc. of Florida Donation form Events by Gulf Coast Jewish Family Service, Inc. Florida Center for Survivors Jobs available thru Gulf Coast Jewish Family Service, Inc. Links to sites of interest Gulf Coast Jewish Family Service office locations Noncustodial Parent Employment Program PEAK PERFORMANCE VIOLENCE PREVENTION OUTCOMES Privacy Notice PRIVACY RIGHTS OVERVIEW Services Available from gcjfs Tampa Bay Aids Network Community Care for Disabled Adults DISABILITIES AND FRAIL ELDERS CHILDREN, FAMILY AND INTERGENERATIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HOMELESS PROGRAMS EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Noncustodial Parent Employment Program OutComes 1999 Noncustodial Parent Employment Program OutComes 2002 Special Help for Jewish Community REFUGEES AND TORTURE SURVIVORS Volunteer Opportunities Key Phase page