Wishing a Fond Farewell to CTSS Founder Mary Zinkin

After eight years of dedicated service, our beloved founder, Mary Zinkin, is transitioning from her role as the Executive Director of CTSS to Board Member, and pursuing a new path as a Death Doula. Since the establishment of CTSS in 2015, Mary's unwavering commitment and passion have provided crucial healing and support to individuals in the Portland area recovering from trauma. Her legacy will forever be etched in the heart of our organization, and we are immensely grateful for her leadership and service. We wish her the best in her new endeavors and know that she will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of others.

Here are a few words from Mary:

Answering the call to become a Buddhist Chaplain led to my leaving the faculty of Portland State University to found the Center for Trauma Support Services in 2015. I did not want any other victim or survivor of a serious violent crime to experience what I had endured…. years and years of feeling all alone with no support for healing and recovering from severe trauma. Through the incredible continuous financial generosity of friends and family; the eventual approval to receive Crime Victim Compensation; the time, energy, and expertise of dedicated board members; and the referrals from our community partners; I have been honored to amplify the voices of, advocate for and provide essential healing services to hundreds of crime Survivors.

Now, excited to move into my next call to be a Death Doula, I am leaving the Executive Director position at CTSS with such a great sense of joy and well-being! It is so rewarding to know that from this solid foundation the work will continue, grow and change under the talented and caring staff who now comprise The Team! I have known all of them for years and could not be happier or have more trust that CTSS is truly in the best hands. I look forward to supporting them as a mentor and consultant.

Thank you beyond words for allowing me to use the ingredients of my life to serve crime survivors through tragic and difficult times…to help them be able to once again sleep through the night, to go back to work, to recreate some sense of safety, to find joy, to engage in relationships, to find some sense of justice, and to comfort their broken hearts. My heart is tender and full as I write these words, recognizing the huge gift CTSS has been in my life. Here’s to the next chapter!!!

❤❤❤ Mary