Today we’d like to introduce you to Brielle Bucksell.
Hi Brielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for giving me this platform. I am the Founder and Executive Director of From Pain To Power, which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization which focuses on supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence. From Pain To Power was birthed from an abusive relationship I experienced.
After finding the courage to leave, I felt that it was my purpose to help victims and survivors overcome the trauma associated with domestic violence. Today, I help, encourage, uplift, and empower women, as well as provide resources and assist in the journey of healing.
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?
My journey has come with a fair share of obstacles. One of the greatest obstacles is reliving the trauma as I do the work of helping other women. Although this work comes at a great toll on me, I do it because the outcomes contribute more to the greater good than they take away from me. Additionally, there’s a struggle to build a strong coalition around domestic violence because of its intimate nature.
The reality is, not many people want to talk about it. Women are afraid to speak out against their abusers, and men don’t talk about it because they’re often the aggressors. To that end, it’s hard to amplify it. What further complicates my ability to amplify is the lack of available funding. While there are some grants that are available, there are nowhere near enough funding opportunities for community-based organizations doing this important work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to being a full-time mom, I serve as the Executive Director of From Pain To Power. In my role, my primary task is to come up with ideas for programs and services that will help the community and forge meaningful relationships with the government and other community partners that will allow those ideas to come to life. From Pain To Power provides support in several different ways.
We provide crisis intervention and offer exit strategies to women who are victims of domestic violence, as well as facilitate the immediate exit for victims and engage in safety planning for the future. Additionally, we raise awareness and educate about the impact of domestic violence on individuals and families as well as what a healthy relationship looks like. We also provide referrals to community-based resources such as healthcare, housing, and legal support, and to an extent, some level of counseling to help women cope with trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that may result from their experience.
The wide range of services we offer plays a critical role in helping women and their children stay safe, heal from trauma associated with abuse, empower and amplify their voices, and rebuild their lives. What sets me apart in this work is that my lived experience as a victim of domestic violence helps me to understand and empathize with my target demographic in a powerful way. I’m proud that I was able to overcome my own obstacles so God could use me as a vessel to help other women overcome their own.
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The first step in finding a mentor is identifying your goals and interests. Before seeking out a mentor or attending networking events, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals and interests so that you can identify the types of people you should be seeking out. Attending events and conferences in your field is a great way to meet new people and network.
I’d say to make sure to have business cards or contact information readily available to exchange with others so you never miss a connection. Last, just be real. When networking or seeking out a mentor, it’s important to be genuine and authentic. Don’t just focus on what the other person can do for you, but also be willing to offer your own skills and expertise in return.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://frompaintopowercorporation.org/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/frompain_topower
