The Innocent Justice Foundation (TIJF) has provided mental health and wellness programming focusing on vicarious trauma mitigation to support Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Teams and their affiliates across the country since 2009 through Supporting Heroes in Mental Health Foundational Training (SHIFT). SHIFT was one of the first Federally funded programs to focus on officer wellness and vicarious trauma mitigation in the country and has served over 30,000 heroes since its inception.

Victim serving work takes an emotional toll, because exposure to violent materials and events, or victim stories is a requirement of most first responder and health and human service professions. Vicarious trauma can be catastrophic, resulting in depression, burn-out, and sometimes suicide. Psycho-educational programs are crucial in helping exposed individuals learn how to recognize vicarious trauma and cope with problems before they become severe or permanent. TIJF is working to help by providing mental health and wellness training and resources to support professionals exposed to traumatic material and events in the work environment. HART- Helping Advocates Rebound from Trauma was developed in 2019 and launched in 2020 with continuing generous support from The Motorola Solutions Foundation. The program has been well received and is ready to grow, both locally in San Diego County and nationally as well. HART serves community heroes, law enforcement, first responders, child and victim advocates and others who are exposed to traumatic materials, events, or the stories of victims in the work they do.

In an effort to raise funds to grow programs locally and serve San Diego County heroes, TIJF has partnered with San Diego Gives this year!

The mission of San Diego Gives is to create a special day of giving across San Diego County, build a community resource for local nonprofit organizations, and connect people to the causes they care about most. 

San Diego Gives is a 24-hour online fundraiser happening on September 8, 2022, which is focused on addressing the needs of the San Diego community. It shines a light on the tremendous work of local nonprofit organizations throughout our community.

TIJF has a matching donor! Tri-City Medical Center will be matching the first $1000 we raise during San Diego Gives! You can give early and learn more about our fundraising effort here.  Donate today, your donation means more because of Tri-City Medical Center!