The Pavement Project is an innovative initiative designed to train child counselors in using the Picture Be process, a unique counseling tool developed by Lifeword Global. Known affectionately as “The Green Bag,” this tool employs biblical resources, including stories and pictures, to identify trauma in children and guide them toward healing. By leveraging these visual and narrative techniques, the Pavement Project equips counselors to provide effective, faith-based support to children in need.

Key Elements of the Pavement Project:

1. Training Child Counselors: The Pavement Project focuses on training child counselors in the Picture Be process. This process is a structured method that uses visual and narrative elements to engage children in a way that is accessible and therapeutic. The training ensures that counselors are proficient in using these tools to address the emotional and psychological needs of children who have experienced trauma.

2. The Green Bag: At the heart of the Pavement Project is “The Green Bag,” a kit containing various biblical resources. This kit includes:

• Stories: Biblical stories that provide moral and spiritual lessons, helping children to connect with their faith and find comfort in familiar narratives.
• Pictures: Visual aids that help children express their feelings and experiences, making it easier for counselors to identify specific traumas and areas of distress.

3. Identifying Trauma: Using the Picture Be process, counselors are trained to identify signs of trauma in children. The visual and narrative elements help children articulate their experiences in a non-threatening way, allowing counselors to gain a deeper understanding of the child’s emotional state.

4. Guiding Toward Healing: The ultimate goal of the Pavement Project is to guide children toward healing. By using the stories and pictures from The Green Bag, counselors can help children process their trauma, find hope, and begin the journey toward emotional and spiritual recovery. The faith-based approach ensures that children not only receive psychological support but also spiritual nurturing, reinforcing their resilience and capacity for healing.

Impact and Reach:

The Pavement Project’s training programs enable counselors to reach a wide range of children in need. By equipping local counselors with these specialized tools and techniques, the project ensures that support is both culturally relevant and deeply rooted in the community’s faith traditions. This approach has the dual benefit of addressing immediate emotional needs while also fostering long-term spiritual growth and resilience.

Conclusion:

The Pavement Project represents a comprehensive approach to child counseling that integrates faith-based resources with proven psychological techniques. By training counselors to use the Picture Be process and The Green Bag, the project empowers them to provide effective support to traumatized children, helping them to heal and thrive. This initiative not only addresses the immediate impacts of trauma but also builds a foundation for sustained emotional and spiritual well-being in children across various communities.