Today we’d like to introduce you to Amberlee Rogers.
Hi Amberlee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Amberlee Rogers. I’ve been married to my husband, Jason for 30 years. We have 3 biological children and 4 biological grandchildren. We both grew up in New Port Richey, FL. We raised our children in Highlands County, FL, where we have lived for over 30 years now. We live in an area that is high poverty filled with lots of generational trauma. 5 years ago, my husband and I took a class called TBRI – Trust Based Relational Intervention from Marisa Stam. At the time, I was working at a local high school and I had several students that were at risk for not graduating with lots of behavior issues. My goal in taking this class was to become trauma informed and be better in assisting our community through our church and school system. What I didn’t expect was for it to change how I view everyone I come in contact with as well as helping me understand myself, my past, and to become healthier in relationships overall. This class started me on a journey of becoming a TBRI Practitioner and a great friendship with Marisa.
We started a non-profit called Worthy & Known Family Project in Lake Placid, FL in the fall of 2022. With Worthy & Known Family Project we were able to contract with Heartland for Children (Circuit 10 Community Based Care) to help educate & train their staff & the families they serve with TBRI -Trust Based Relational Intervention classes. These are families that are fostering and adopting our children that need loving homes. Additionally we work with biological families that have been through a difficult time to educate them while they are working their plan to regain their family.
In July of 2023, I began volunteering at Avon Park Correctional Institute, a state operated correctional institution in Polk County, FL. I facilitate TBRI and another class called Making Sense of Your Worth (which replaces lies you believe about yourself with God’s truth) to inmates that are nearing the end of their sentence. This program which is called the re-entry, Abide program, provides classes that educate men to help them get ready to re-enter society. I am extremely passionate about our correctional system and the need for reform and community in order to reduce recidivism.
Over the last 3 years, as we are growing our non-profit, we have educated over 1600 individuals in Florida. We’ve provided trauma-informed education to the system of care including, foster/adoptive families, the school system, the court system, churches, and several community organizations that provide care for our community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not long after we started Worthy & Known, Marisa and her family were relocated to Maine. Quickly, I had to figure out how to do this work solo and begin to build a team and volunteers. Working with families and people from hard places is very difficult and really hard to get people on board to help. I felt like I spent a lot of time just trying to convince people that we have an entire community of hurting families and they are people that might not look like us, but they are our neighbors, people we sit next to in church, people our kids go to school with, they are US!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our vision is for everyone to know their God-given dignity and worth through the love of a healthy family and community. Our mission is for there to be prevention and permanency for children and families facing challenges by providing a Christ-centered network of support, family education, and community strengthening. We provide on-going Trust Based Relational Intervention classes, as well as personal coaching. We also offer Making Sense of Your Worth classes and as well as Parenting for Positive Self Worth.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Seeing families thrive, watching people begin to trust others. Being in community and healthy relationships with the people I live with, work with, and play with. We are all precious, and I love when someone begins to see their preciousness and that they are worth being seen, heard, and valued. My joy comes from the Lord and my family! Knowing and trusting that He has a plan even if its hard or not what I understand. Finding purpose along the way is my goal!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.worthyandknownfp.org
- Instagram: wandkproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FQKaqcFfq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
