A specialized trauma response organization is expanding its reach across multiple states after completing search and rescue operations in the Texas Hill Country floods, marking the latest deployment in a series of disaster responses that included hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida last year.
RISEUP Phoenix Trauma and Crisis Institute, operating through its 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner Battle2be, deployed teams to work in rural and challenging river areas during the recent Texas flooding. The organization specializes in providing trauma-informed support to first responders, survivors, and communities during and after crisis events.
The institute’s approach differs from traditional disaster response by focusing on what they call “high-impact, low-footprint interventions” designed to address both immediate crisis needs and long-term recovery. Their work extends beyond natural disasters to include responses to teen suicide aftercare in local schools and support for communities facing various forms of trauma.
At the helm of the organization is Krista Fee, who has been nominated for an honorary doctoral degree and serves as an author, speaker, and educator. Fee specializes in active shooter prevention and response, community safety initiatives, internet safety, and human trafficking awareness and recovery programs.
The organization structures its services through distinct programs, each targeting specific populations affected by trauma. These include specialized support for first responders and veterans dealing with job-related stress, programs for women surviving trafficking and domestic violence, and initiatives focused on building emotional resilience in children.
The nonprofit’s educational arm, RISEUP Phoenix Academy, provides trauma-informed training through online courses, podcasts, and publications. The academy uses a framework based on six core principles: relationship building, identity recovery, safety establishment, emotional intelligence development, breaking destructive patterns, and discovering purpose through adversity.
Recent deployments have taken teams to North Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, and Houston, Texas, responding to various community crises. The organization also maintains The Ferryman Project, a memorial program supporting families and communities affected by suicide, line-of-duty deaths, and service-related trauma.
The institute’s Crisis Response Program focuses on rapid deployment of trauma-informed teams to communities experiencing disasters or violence. These teams work alongside local first responders while providing specialized support for rural and underserved areas that often lack adequate crisis resources.
Community safety education forms another pillar of their work, with programs designed to prepare schools, families, and professionals for potential crises. Their KidSAFE initiative specifically addresses child safety concerns including abduction and trafficking prevention through what they describe as a “resilience-first, fear-free approach.”
The organization emphasizes serving those who “carry chaos for a living,” including first responders, dispatchers, veterans, and their families. Programs address the unique challenges these professionals face, from communication breakdowns in relationships affected by job-related trauma to addiction and mental health struggles.
As Battle2be seeks to expand its volunteer base and secure additional funding, the organization continues to develop new programs addressing emerging community needs. Their model combines immediate crisis response with long-term support systems, aiming to create sustainable recovery pathways for individuals and communities affected by trauma.
The institute’s symbol, a phoenix, reflects their core mission of helping individuals and communities rise from traumatic experiences. Additional imagery including shields, broken chains, and lighthouses represents their commitment to protection, freedom from trauma bonds, and guidance through difficult circumstances.
