Journals For Healing
At The 1st 28 Foundation, we believe in the transformative power of the written word. Journaling offers survivors of trauma a private sanctuary to process emotions, reflect on experiences, and embark on a journey toward healing. By putting pen to paper, individuals can navigate their feelings, gain clarity, and reclaim control over their narratives.
Identifying the Gap: Dawn's Story
Instead, she was handed a folder full of resources—contact information for local support groups, crisis hotlines, and the police station’s assault assistance team. The resources were helpful, but they didn’t address the right now.
Dawn left the hospital with nothing tangible to help her process what she was going through. Days turned into weeks, and as she mustered up the courage to reach out to the organizations listed in that folder, she heard the same advice:
"You should try journaling."
She asked again:
"Do you have one I can use?"
Again, the answer was no.
Therapists, crisis counselors, and advocacy groups all encouraged writing as a way to heal, but none of them had journals to provide. Survivors were being asked to do the work—without the tools to do it. That’s when Dawn saw the gap.
Why was journaling so widely recommended, yet never provided?
Why were survivors left to figure it out on their own when they were already navigating so much?
A Second Realization: The Importance of Handwritten Documentation
After time had passed, Dawn made the courageous decision to press charges against her attacker. She went to the police station, first speaking with an officer and later with a detective. During the investigation, she was once again asked if she had been journaling.
But this time, the question wasn’t about healing—it was about evidence.
When she asked if a digital journal—like notes in a phone or an online journaling app—would be acceptable, the detective shook their head.
"No, we actually prefer a handwritten journal. A dated, physical journal is stronger evidence in case you ever need to recall specific details or testify in court." Not only that, but the detective added: "Ink is better than pencil—pencil can smudge or fade, making it harder to authenticate entries if ever needed in court and corrections or changes are obvious."
Dawn was stunned.
Why wasn’t this critical information shared at the beginning of the process?
Why was journaling treated as optional when it could be the difference between justice and a case being dismissed due to lack of evidence?
Why did survivors only learn this information when they were already deep in the legal system—if they even got that far?
This conversation reinforced what she already knew: Survivors need access to journals from the moment they seek help.
The Birth of The 1st 28 Foundation
Dawn knew she had to take action. She created The 1st 28 Journal, designed specifically for survivors—a tangible, structured tool that serves both as a method of healing and, if needed, a reliable way to document events for potential legal use.
Her mission became clear:
No survivor should have to search for a journal after being told to write.
No survivor should find out too late that a handwritten, dated journal could protect them in court.
Every survivor deserves access to the right tools from the moment they ask for help.
That’s what The 1st 28 Foundation is here to change.
No More Empty Hands
Now, Dawn is making sure that no survivor walks away empty-handed. Through The 1st 28 Journal, survivors have access to a physical, guided tool designed for healing and self-reflection. By sharing her story, Dawn hopes to inspire others to reclaim their voice, their strength, and their light.
No more empty hands. No more unanswered questions. Just the right tools—when they’re needed most.
When Dawn arrived at the hospital emergency room after her sexual assault, she was overwhelmed, afraid, and unsure of what came next. As she sat with a crisis nurse, trying to process what had just happened, she was given a small but repeated piece of advice:
"You should try journaling—it can help you process everything."
The suggestion made sense. Writing had always been a way for people to work through their emotions, to put their pain into words, to make sense of what felt impossible. But when Dawn asked the nurse if they had a journal she could use, the answer was no.
Instead, she was handed a folder full of resources—contact information for local support groups, crisis hotlines, and the police station’s assault assistance team. The resources were helpful, but they didn’t address the right now.
Dawn left the hospital with nothing tangible to help her process what she was going through.
Days turned into weeks, and as she mustered up the courage to reach out to the organizations listed in that folder, she heard the same advice:
"You should try journaling."
She asked again:
"Do you have one I can use?"
Again, the answer was no.
Why The Need for Accessible Journaling Resources
-
✺
Expressive Writing Reduces Anxiety & Stress:
A 2019 study found that trauma survivors who engaged in expressive writing experienced significant reductions in anxiety and stress levels.
-
✺
Improved Mental Health Outcomes:
Research indicates that expressive writing can lead to improved mental health outcomes, including reduced symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). -
✺
Enhanced Physical Health:
Studies have shown that individuals who practice expressive writing may experience better physical health, such as improved immune function and reduced blood pressure. -
✺
Accessible Therapeutic Tool:
Therapeutic journaling is especially useful for reaching trauma survivors in need of evidence-based mental health care who live in remote areas. -
✺
Barriers to Accessing Support Services:
A report highlighted that long waitlists, unaffordable options, and lack of financial resources prevent many survivors from accessing necessary support services, emphasizing the need for accessible tools like journaling. -
✺
Positive Impact on PTSD Symptoms:
Engaging in expressive writing has been associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms, including anxiety and anger, aiding in the overall healing process.
Our Mission: Nationwide Distribution
Our Mission: Putting Journals Where They’re Needed Most
At The 1st 28 Foundation, we believe that healing starts with having the right tools—right when they’re needed most. Survivors are frequently encouraged to journal as a way to process trauma, but too often, they are left to find their own way with no journal in hand.
We are changing that.
We provide free journals to hospitals, crisis centers, police stations, advocacy organizations, and support groups so that when professionals mention journaling as a powerful healing tool, they can also provide a survivor with a journal on the spot. No more empty hands. No more missed opportunities for healing.
And we’re looking to expand.
We are actively seeking more organizations, programs, and facilities that serve survivors to ensure they have access to our journals. If you work with survivors and believe this resource could make an impact in your community, or are aware of a program that would benefit from our resource, we’d love to connect with you.
Our goal is to expand this initiative nationwide, ensuring that every facility and organization that serves survivors has access to this resource. Journaling should never be just a recommendation—it should be an accessible, immediate tool in every survivor’s healing journey.
Supporting Ongoing Healing: Journals for Every Stage of Recovery
Healing isn’t just about the first 28 days—it’s a lifelong journey. Maybe you’re past the immediate crisis, but you still need a place to process emotions, set goals, and reflect on your progress. Maybe you’ve healed in ways you never thought possible, but you still find comfort in putting your thoughts on paper.
We see you. And we’ve got you.
For those who want to continue journaling beyond the first phase of recovery, we offer The 1st 28 Journal for purchase. These journals are designed with survivors in mind, featuring guided prompts, reflection exercises, and space to write freely. Every purchase helps us provide more free journals to those in immediate need, meaning your healing journey is also helping someone else begin theirs.
Because healing isn’t linear. It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it’s yours.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Join Us in Making a Difference
By supporting the Journals for Healing initiative, you're providing survivors with a powerful tool for self-expression and recovery. Together, we can ensure that no survivor walks their path alone.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
-
We provide free journals to crisis centers, hospitals, police stations, advocacy organizations, and shelters. These organizations then provide them to those in need.
-
Organizations interested in distributing journals can reach out to us through our partnership page to learn moreabout collaboration opportunities.
-
Our journals are designed specifically for survivors, featuring guided prompts, reflection exercises, and open space for free writing to help process emotions and aid in the healing journey.
-
Yes! If you are not currently connected to a hospital, crisis center, or support group distributing our journals, you can purchase a journal directly through us. Every purchase helps fund our initiative to provide free journals to survivors in immediate need.
-
Currently, our journals are available in a standard paperback format designed for ease of use and portability. We are exploring additional formats to accommodate diverse needs.
-
We love hearing from survivors, supporters, and organizations. If you’d like to share your experience with our journal, please reach out through our feedback form.