Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Bull

Hi Megan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

In the midst of rebuilding her life after experiencing multiple traumatic events within one year, President and Founder Megan Bull wished she could lean on a community of fellow trauma survivors for additional strength.
Noticing the absence of such a community, Megan decided to build her own, and Reclaim Foundation was born in 2020. Throughout her research, she recognized a pattern where trauma resources typically congregate in the exact location where a specific traumatic event occurred. Megan acknowledged this as a major limitation. One of Reclaim Foundation’s fundamental goals is to expand access to meaningful trauma support, regardless of one’s current proximity to the location of their traumatic event. In addition, Megan noticed the trauma community is often underserved and is in great need of comprehensive support.

Megan wants to ensure that the friends and family of survivors can receive guidance to support the survivors in their lives. Megan found that researching trauma support contacts, methods, and organizations can be challenging and isolating during the healing process. To mitigate this, Reclaim Foundation compiles external resources into a singular location while also developing our own resources that will benefit the trauma community. We hope to provide tools that empower survivors to reclaim their lives.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It has not been a smooth road creating and maintaining Reclaim Foundation. There have been personal challenges navigating being a trauma survivor myself and working with our survivors, which inherently can invoke vicarious trauma.

There also have been challenges with getting the non-profit “off the ground”. There is a saying that “if you build it, they will come” and while that has been true for survivors finding our services, it has been much more challenging finding funding to supports the plentiful survivors needing our programs.

Often times grants require a level of establishment before granting funding and as a new non-profit, we often do not qualify. It becomes a double edged sword because then we do not have the funding to further establish ourselves. However, it has taught our team how to navigate these struggles and look for less conventional non-profit funding sources like fundraisers or public donation campaigns.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Reclaim Foundation?

At Reclaim Foundation, we are dedicated to providing healing and support for trauma survivors, offering them a safe space to embark on their journey to recovery. As part of this commitment, we are organizing a series of workshops designed to facilitate healing through a variety of therapeutic and holistic activities.

Trauma statistics continue to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support for survivors. Activities such as therapy, yoga, nutrition, and more have been shown to play a significant role in aiding the healing process and promoting overall well-being. At Reclaim Foundation we offer a variety of holistic offerings so that trauma survivors can find what works for them.

This July 2024 we hosted our first ever trauma survivor retreat. It was an all-inclusive weekend that sold-out (free for attendees) within 72 hours. Attendees arrived at Whispertree where they had accommodations in a beautiful nature setting, nutritious meals, and workshops focused on healing. The attendees were able to form a community of individuals that could relate to the intricacy of their experiences.

Reclaim Foundation is proud to be able to host virtual workshops and to begin hosting in-person events like this retreat.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?

I tend to lean on the support of non-profit and mental health community leaders for guidance and recommendations. Toni Bowles of the Neon Exchange, author Meghan Riordan Jarvis of ‘End of the Hour’, author Marsha Jacobson of ‘The Wrong Calamity’, non-profit leader and CBS Survivor winner Ethan Zohn, publisher Diana Daniele, and many more are folks that have, at some point or continuously, offered me words of wisdom during my journey with Reclaim Foundation.

Watching others navigate the mental health, business, and non-profit spaces gives me the confidence and guidance to do the same. Outside of these personal conversations, I enjoy learning through reading and listening to podcasts like “Skimmed from the Couch” or “Financial Feminist”.

Pricing:

• On average, a donation of $150 supports 1 survivor receiving 1 therapy appointment

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reclaimfoundation.org
• Instagram: @reclaimfndn

Image Credits

I am still looking for photos to send! I can hopefully send them via email shortly.