Local Connections, Timely Care, Lasting Impact

Michigan Tri County TRN® Responds to Community Tragedy

On September 28, 2025, the Grand Blanc, Michigan community experienced an unimaginable tragedy when a shooting and fire broke out at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Five people lost their lives, while eight others were injured.

For many, the feelings that followed were marked by fear and uncertainty. People were hesitant to gather in large groups, unsure if it was safe to return to familiar routines. Members of the faith community expressed concern that they might be targeted again because of their religion.

In the days, weeks and months following the attack, the Michigan Tri County Trauma Recovery Network® has been there to support victims, families and the community through their recovery.

Coming Together to Support the Community

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, a volunteer with the Michigan Tri County TRN, who lived in the community, was able to quickly reach out to church members and begin sharing information about available TRN support services. At the same time, a contact within the church became a vital link between congregants and the TRN, helping individuals find their way to services and assisting with securing space for group sessions. The overall response was led by co-coordinators Christine E. Muska, LMFT, and Alejandra Medina, MA, LPC, NCC, with consultation from Harriet Mall, Ph.D., LP, EMDRIA Approved Consultant.

As the community’s needs became clearer, volunteers stepped forward to offer immediate care, accepting referrals, facilitating groups, and providing steady support during an incredibly painful time. The TRN initially offered four ASSYST groups and accepted individual referrals, using EMDR, the Flash technique, and stabilization and grounding interventions. Services primarily supported adults, with one group created specifically for children.

For many current TRN members, this was the first time facilitating these group sessions, and it required courage and compassion to show up and provide care in the wake of such profound loss. They witnessed meaningful reductions in subjective units of disturbance (SUDs) for most participants and heard directly from community members about how deeply the groups helped ease their most distressing symptoms.

One particularly meaningful moment came after the first group session.

“I was very nervous about how it would go,” shared co-coordinator Christine. “When I saw that all of the participants in that group had dropped their SUDs to below 3s I remember feeling overjoyed. I knew from my training it should work, and read about the model’s successes, but to actually see it work for a group of people that had gone through something so horrific – it was a moment I won’t ever forget.”

The TRN continues to accept referrals and provide ongoing individual services as the community continues to process and heal from this traumatic event.

Reflecting on the Importance of the Trauma Recovery Network

The Michigan Tri County Trauma Recovery Network’s response underscores the value of having trauma‑informed systems in place before a disaster occurs. Because the network was already established, trained, and connected within the community, volunteers were able to respond quickly and offer timely care when it was needed most, helping to reduce the risk of longer‑term impacts for those affected.

A cornerstone of the Trauma Recovery Network model is building strong local relationships in advance. As a network of volunteer clinicians embedded in their own communities, TRN members are able to connect early with trusted community leaders and organizations. In this response, existing relationships and coordination with those responsible for church communications helped ensure that information about available services reached people efficiently and compassionately.

“When a disaster happens, not only the people who experience it get affected, the people who witness it do too, as well as their relatives. Entire communities suffer the consequences of these events. We need to treat people as soon as possible, not only so they can find relief, but to prevent long term treatments in the future,” shared co‑coordinator Alejandra.

Preparation through ongoing training also played an important role. Shortly before the incident, the Michigan Tri County TRN had reviewed both the G‑TEP and ASSYST protocols, strengthening volunteers’ readiness and confidence to respond. This combination of preparation, connection, and shared purpose reflects the heart of the Trauma Recovery Network’s mission: to build community resilience in the face of crisis.

This response builds on the Michigan Tri County TRN’s history of service. The network has previously supported the community following the Oxford High School shooting in 2021 and the Michigan State University shooting in 2023.

We are deeply grateful to this dedicated group of EMDR clinicians who continue to volunteer their time, skills, and compassion. The care, coordination, and commitment demonstrated by the Michigan Tri County Trauma Recovery Network offers a powerful example of how preparation and connection can help communities begin to heal.