Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Vybiral.
Hi Susie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I am a big believer in doing all things. I have a band, Salubrious Fox, I’m an officiant, I have an honorary doctorate, and I am a published writer.
One of my childhood dreams was to become a psychologist so at 41, after 18 years of being Susie Homemaker (literally!) I decided to finally pursue my doctorate. In another year or so I’ll be Dr. Suz! I had originally thought I would have my own practice or work in a hospital but as my journey in school progressed, my intentions shifted. I have always had a heart for the innocents.. animals, the elderly, and children. I was a family advocate for an advocacy center for a few years and every day I heard the unfathomable things that were happening to children in our area.
Parents and caregivers would express the fact that, although counseling was helping their children heal from the trauma they had experienced, they were still going back to a bedroom where the abuse occurred. The triggers in their rooms inevitably caused setbacks causing children to avoid being in their rooms at all. It made sense that changing their environment would help facilitate healing. I started Room Redux to offer another piece of the healing puzzle.
We transform the rooms and LIVES of children who have faced sexual and/or physical abuse or any type of trauma. We do this anonymously so the children never see us and we do this in one day! Room redux is now a global organization and I believe this is a result of all of us spreading the word and sharing our passion with anyone and everyone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Any road worth traveling is bound to have bumps but I can honestly say, for the most part, my journey with Room Redux has been smooth and incredibly fulfilling. Because of the nature of what we do and the fact that Room Transformations are so tangible, people gravitate to Room Redux and want to help in any way they can.
The only thing that may be considered a challenge is founding, running, and growing a nonprofit from the ground up. It’s been a learning experience for sure! Fortunately, we have an amazing Board of Directors, fabulous chapter Executive Directors, and knowledgeable officers, who help keep everything running smoothly.
A friend of mine once said, “Always surround yourself with people who are smarter than you” so that’s what I do!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of the fact that Room Redux transforms the rooms and lives of children who have faced sexual and/or physical abuse and trauma as well as the fact that we are expanding across the globe. We have active chapters in Texas, California, Oregon, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, and Michigan with several more across the US and the UK in the initial planning phase. One in ten children will face sexual abuse before the age of 18, Because of this staggering statistic, our goal is to serve every child.
I am also proud of the way we are not only transforming the rooms of children who have faced abuse and making sure parents and caregivers know they have advocates, but also of the way we are changing the trajectory of these children’s lives. There is no nonprofit that does what we do the way we do it and what we are finding is that a change in a child’s environment has a huge impact on the child’s healing process and overall wellbeing.
I also love the fact that Room Transformations are anonymous. This means that the children never see us. We do this because we don’t want children to feel the need to say thank you to us or to react in a certain way. We also want them to know that they are loved and cared about by people who don’t even know them and who expect nothing from them.
Room Transformations have the potential to have magnificent psychological and emotional effects. Children begin to realize they are worthy and their self-esteem and confidence begin to improve. They sleep in their rooms after not having slept in their own bed or felt safe in their own room for years. By removing triggers and specifically tailoring the room to the child, we are giving them a fresh start… a place to feel safe and to blossom.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Easy– sheer determination! When I set a goal, whether it’s obtaining my doctorate or expanding Room Redux across the world, I always expect a positive outcome. When I give an individual or business the opportunity to partner with Room Redux in some fashion, I always expect a yes.
Attitude and mindset have everything to do with success. I make sure my body language, the tonality of my voice, the look in my eyes, and my attitude all convey the deep passion that I have for transforming children’s lives. It’s important to be committed and courageous to your passion and dreams in order for them to come to fruition.
Pricing:
- Room Transformations range in cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000
Contact Info:
- Email: SUSIE@ROOMREDUX.ORG
- Website: https://roomredux.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roomredux/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roomredux
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/reduxroom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiKUgqlHdgPg73z-Q4S7bxQ
Image Credits
Tammy Lechner Photography
