Sexual Abuse Warriors

03/12/2026

✨ Tuesday Night at J.J. Hill – Braids, Self-Care & Self-Love ✨

Tuesday evening at the J.J. Hill Community Center was such a beautiful experience for everyone involved. We had an amazing time learning, connecting, and supporting one another.

By the end of the class, each participant walked away with the knowledge of at least 2–3 protective braiding styles, along with important tips on maintaining a healthy scalp and properly hydrated hair.
But this class was about more than braiding.

We also had meaningful conversations about the balance between self-care and self-love understanding that taking care of yourself physically is important, but learning to value yourself and protect your peace is just as essential.

It was incredible to see those who already had some experience with braiding step up and share their knowledge with others. The room quickly turned into a space where people were teaching, learning, encouraging, and supporting each other.

Thank you to everyone who showed up with vulnerability, effort, and a willingness to learn.

And a special thank you to Aveda for donating 10 mannequins. A few participants even barrowed one to take them home, practice their new skills, and continue growing. Because of this generosity, we’ll be able to continue offering this class in the future.

These conversations, support, spaces are important, and sometimes difficult but when we come together with the right tools, resources, and support, we can truly equip survivors, educate communities, and empower individuals.

Together, we REACH. 💛

ProtectiveStyles HealingTogether WINGroup HIMGroups BrightFutureGroups TraumaInformed EducationEqualsPrevention

03/10/2026

✨ Class Reminder – Tonight at J.J. Hill! ✨

We are so excited for tonight’s Braids, Self-Care & Self-Love class at J.J. Hill Community Center!

Tonight we’ll be learning about protective braiding styles while also diving into the importance of self-care, confidence, and showing ourselves love. This space is about more than hair it’s about connection, culture, and healing together.

💛 Come learn
💛 Come connect
💛 Come grow
🕡 Tonight | 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 J.J. Hill Community Center

⚠️ Reminder: There will be NO Bright Futures youth group this week due to Spring Break. We hope everyone enjoys their break and we will see our youth warriors next session!

We can’t wait to see everyone tonight! 💫

03/10/2026

Healthy, honest, and open conversation create room for growth ❤️.

Good job Dad!

03/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=122197385372517329&set=a.122195976926517329&type=3&mibextid=wwXIfr

Putting feelings into words does more than help you reflect. Brain imaging research shows it can shift activity inside emotional circuits.

The amygdala is often described as the brain’s threat detector. It helps you quickly respond to stress and uncertainty. When emotions feel intense or overwhelming, this region can become more active.

Studies using brain scans have found that labeling emotions — even briefly — is associated with reduced amygdala activity and increased engagement of the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex supports planning, reasoning, and self-regulation. In simple terms, writing about emotions appears to shift processing from automatic emotional reactivity toward more deliberate control.

Expressive writing research, including randomized controlled trials, suggests that structured emotional writing can reduce rumination and improve psychological well-being over time. When experiences are translated into language, the brain organizes them differently. What felt chaotic becomes structured, stored, and easier to reflect on.

This does not mean writing erases stress. It means the act of labeling feelings recruits regulatory networks that help the brain process emotional information more efficiently.

Even brief writing sessions have been linked to measurable changes in emotional processing patterns.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology; Mindfulness (Springer)

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personal concerns.

03/06/2026

Are you ready for this conversation?

03/05/2026

💫✨ Braids & Balance: Self-Care Through Protective Styles ✨💫
Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and candles.
Sometimes it looks like sitting in a chair, hands in hair, conversations flowing, and healing happening in community. 💛

SAW is excited to host Braids & Balance, a powerful Community Education class focused on:
✔️ Protective styling as self-care
✔️ Hair health & confidence
✔️ Cultural connection and identity
✔️ Stress relief and emotional balance
✔️ Creating space for meaningful conversation while we braid

This class is about more than hair it’s about restoration.
It’s about slowing down.
It’s about reclaiming time for yourself while learning skills that protect both your crown and your mental health.

Whether you’re a parent wanting to learn how to braid, someone wanting to care for your own hair better, or simply looking for a healing, educational space this class is for you.

📍 Hosted through St. Paul Community Education
📅 Winter 2026 Session
🔗 Register here:
https://stpaul.ce.eleyo.com/course/17383/winter-2026-adult/braids-balance-self-care-through-protective-styles

Come learn.
Come connect.
Come balance.

Because self-care is survival. And we’re choosing healing on every level. 💛

REACH WINGroup HIMGroups BrightFutureGroups TraumaInformed HealingTogether CrownCare EducationEqualsPrevention

03/05/2026

💛 Breaking Generational Trauma Workshop – J.J. Hill Community Center 💛
Tuesday evening we had the opportunity to teach our “Breaking Generational Trauma” workshop at J.J. Hill Community Center, and what a powerful night it was.

We were blessed to have our prayer warrior Keiana with us, representing WOOT, helping lead and support the conversation.

Throughout the evening we shared tools, resources, personal stories, coping skills, and breathing techniques to help people better understand trauma and how it can impact families across generations.

Participants were also able to create bracelets during the class, which helped keep hands busy while we worked through some heavy topics and allowed us to engage both sides of the brain through creativity and reflection.

But the most beautiful and rewarding part of the night wasn’t what we gave it was what our participants gave to us.
They showed up with:�✨ Vulnerability�✨ Honesty�✨ Compassion�✨ Empathy�✨ Growth�✨ Insight into their own lives and experiences

Some were there for their own healing, some for their families, and others for their students and communities so they could better understand trauma and support those around them.

And of course, we had a few laughs when it came time to turn on the smart board! Being a millennial, technology and I don’t always get along.

Thankfully the amazing staff at J.J. Hill and our participants jumped in to help, and the smiles and laughter in the room made the entire evening worth it.

If you missed this class but are interested in the PowerPoint or resources, feel free to email us and we’d be happy to share the information.
📧 sawarriors23@gmail.com

And don’t worry if you missed this one we have another class coming up!
✨ Next Tuesday:�We’ll be teaching a class on braiding hair and diving into self-care and self-love.

A special thank you to our amazing mentor Nani for being there and providing snacks and beverages for the group. Your support means so much to our community. ❤️

Together, we continue to educate, equip, and build stronger communities.

03/02/2026

💬 “Can we talk about how draining and demeaning school is?”

That was the question one of our girls asked in group last week and it opened the door to one of the most honest, powerful conversations we’ve had.

It was incredible to hear these young women articulate their thoughts and feelings so clearly.

They talked about:
• The overwhelming workload from multiple classes
• Staff who feel dry, monotone, or unsupportive
• The pressure of balancing school, sports, jobs, and friendships
• The constant screen time: computers, iPads, smart boards, and phones

One statement that stood out:

“We’re not learning like we used to. Our eyes hurt. Our heads hurt. It’s too much screen time. We need pens, paper, real homework not just ‘submit to Dropbox.’”

That conversation mattered.

Because instead of dismissing their frustrations, we validated them and then we did what we always do at SAW:

We made a plan.

✨ We talked about:
• How to respectfully ask parents/teachers for support
• How to approach counselors
• Requesting extended time for assignments or testing
• Understanding 504 plans and IEPs
• Attending school board meetings to voice concerns
• Writing a letter to the board as a group

We also challenged perspective.

Teachers are learning new systems too.
Many may not agree with every change either.
Change impacts everyone students and staff alike.

Understanding both sides builds maturity and advocacy.

But here’s the bigger takeaway:

Our youth are overwhelmed.
They are overstimulated.
And many are exhausted.

Parents talk to your babies.

Not just “How was school?”
But:
• How is school really affecting you?
• Do you feel supported?
• Do you feel heard?
• What’s stressing you the most right now?
• How can I help you advocate for yourself?

Teach them:
✔️ How to send a respectful email
✔️ How to request a meeting
✔️ How to explain what they need
✔️ How to take breaks from screens
✔️ How to balance academics and mental health

Advocacy is a life skill.

And what I saw in that room last week?
Future leaders.
Future board members.
Future change-makers.

We don’t just talk at SAW.
We equip.
We educate.
We build.

And these girls are building something powerful.

02/25/2026

Hi, my name is Leinani Watson, and I am a 24-year-old college student at North Hennepin Community College. I am currently a pre–social work major and plan to transfer this fall to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work.

As a soon-to-be mother, I have found this stage of my life further strengthens my desire to build a career centered on compassion, advocacy, and creating safe, supportive environments for individuals and families.

My academic and career goals focus on supporting people through challenging experiences while promoting healing, resilience, and empowerment.

I chose to intern with Sexual Abuse Warriors because I deeply believe in its mission to heal and uplift survivors. In a previous role, I worked with children being interviewed by law enforcement about experiences of abuse. That experience profoundly impacted me and sparked a strong passion for supporting victims as they reclaim their voices, regain a sense of control, and move forward in their healing journeys.

This internship is an important step in my growth as a future social worker and in my commitment to advocating for survivors in meaningful, compassionate ways.

❤️Nani

02/24/2026

✨ This Is What Healing Looks Like. ✨

This is what happens when you don’t just show up 
you do the work.
You face the daily challenges.
You make the necessary changes.
You grow.
You change.
You heal.

Everyone deserves to heal.

And this warrior chose to.

She is a:
• Domestic Abuse Survivor
• Sexual Assault Warrior
• Mother of three

She carries many titles and many roles and she is learning to accept all of them. Her past. Her present. Her future. She has taken back control.

From day one, when I said “Grab markers and paper,” she was ready. I’ll never forget the brand-new box of Sharpies and the smile that said, “I will beat this.”

She came to group broken.
She came proud.
She came happy, sad, mad, lost, confused, unsure.
But she came.

She showed up for herself in her darkest moments.
She pushed herself.
She believed she was deserving of healing, love, support, strength, and compassion.

She sought outside therapy.
She used the tools we worked on in group.
She completed projects and assignments.

She did the work even when it hurt.

And when she finally allowed herself to feel worthy… she received it.

Now her cup is overflowing.
Her family dynamics have changed for the better.

She has taken back control of her trauma, her triggers, her emotions, and her thoughts.
She focuses on what she can control her attitude and her effort.

And most recently?

She applied to become a

Domestic Assault Advocate.

Let’s give it up for this
beautiful warrior. 👏🏽💛

Thank you for trusting us.
Thank you for your vulnerability.

Thank you for your honesty, your lessons, and your grace.
Even with tears in your eyes, you were giving advice to others.

Even when you weren’t sure you would make it out of your situation, you were still encouraging someone else.

That is strength.
That is healing.
That is transformation.

I am so proud of you.
And I am honored to walk beside you on this journey.

With love, hope, and respect together, we REACH. ❤️

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02/20/2026

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