Trena: leading by example

1) In what ways has working at NAOMI intersected with your own life? Healed parts of you? What have you learned about yourself while working here?

During my 4 years at NAOMI, I have experienced a deeper understanding of relationships. I realized that for most of my life, I’ve had an unconscious belief that relationships were healthy when there was very little conflict. I’ve learned that is not true. Healthy relationships will have conflicts because they are made up of two people with different perspectives, beliefs and values. We will not always see eye to eye, and the true test of a healthy relationship is when we can hold space for another’s perspective, be curious, work toward understanding and compromise (with our values intact!) in a mutually loving way. Healthy relationships take time and a whole lot of intentionality!

NAOMI staff team

Another way I’ve grown at NAOMI is being able to identify my needs and care for myself well. As a mom, wife, daughter, and sister, I have lots of opportunities to care for others and I enjoy showing up for my people! However, I’ve discovered life-long patterns of ignoring what I need so I won’t feel guilty for saying no. When I’m not aware of what I need or take time to consider the cost of what is being asked of me, my responsibilities and even my health take a backseat to the requests of others. This leads to disappointment, regret and resentment in my own heart. It hurts the very people I want to love and show up well for.

2) What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments to date?

My greatest accomplishment is continuing to pursue healthy relationships in my life. Not running away when things get painful or confusing but leaning in and choosing to do the hard work of healing and rebuilding. This work is never done! Relationships are living, breathing ever-changing forces so it takes continued effort to help them grow deep, healthy roots. And the reward is life-giving!

3) What do you want people to know about your work at NAOMI?

As the ED, I am passionate about cultivating a healthy organization. From the board, staff, volunteers, partners and the women we serve, I seek to cultivate wellness across the entire organization. I hold to the values that relationships come before outcomes and a healthy staff is how we continue to do this work for decades to come. I’m committed to ensuring our organization has what it needs to serve many more generations of women and children.

Trena with a group of long-time friends.

4) How has God loved you through community/family?

I feel very grateful to have strong friendships in my life. These handful of women have journeyed with me for decades and consistently show up to support, laugh, listen and challenge me. We pursue each other and work to have healthy communication and expectations. We choose to be authentic with one another, which sometimes is really uncomfortable. I know that I would not be who I am today without having these women in my life.

Healthy relationships are the thread that keeps our (all humans’) lives together. When we don’t have a community to learn from, lean on, and serve with our gifts, we don’t survive. It’s as important as food, water, and shelter. That is why the mission of NAOMI is vital to the wellbeing of our greater community. We help women cultivate healthy relationships as they heal from trauma so that they have what they need to not only survive, but thrive in all aspects of their lives.

5) Random details: How do you like to have fun? What are you reading?

I LOVE to gather with friends and family to eat good food and play games. I’m most at peace when I’m camping or hiking or sitting by running water. When I can combine camping with my people, good food and games, it’s about as close to heaven as I can imagine!

I’m usually reading at least two books. One fiction and one non-fiction. Currently, I’m slowly working my way through a book on the history of Christianity and just finished a novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Want to join Trena in this important work? Check out our partnership page!