New Braunfels, TX: An unfortunate truth in the world is that countless innocent children are victimized across the world. It may be a one-time victimization, or it could last for years at the hands of one or more people.
But regardless of how long the abuse occurred or how severe it was, one thing always remains true – it is a traumatic experience that leads to lasting emotional scars.
At best, the perpetrator is caught and imprisoned so they can no longer do harm to children.
But the trauma doesn’t end there. The complex part of trauma is that people often relive the experiences brought on by external factors.
Susie Vybiral wanted to reduce that feeling in children – and she does it with Room Redux.
“Every day I would hear the horrific stories of what's happening to our children. And caregivers, parents would say, ‘Well she's doing alright in counseling but she's going back to her room where the abuse occurred’ or ‘he's experiencing triggers in his room’ or ‘he's not sleeping in his room,’” Susie said.
She added, “And it made sense to me. I thought let's change the environment they're going back to, this room where they don't want to be, where there are bad things - so change the environment.”
Room Redux is a nonprofit organization that specializes in complete room transformation to promote healing in children who are victims of abuse. And they transform the room strategically.
“We put therapeutic tools in there. We have to know that the child or the children are in counseling for the trauma or have been through counseling for the trauma so that we know what therapeutic tools to put in their rooms. Whether it be squishees or art supplies, music, punching bags… things like that. We completely transform it to make sure that it’s tailored to that child specifically,” Susie said.
One of the other key functions of a Room Redux transformation is that they completely transform the room swiftly and quietly while the child is not around.
This is by design.
“They come home to brand new room transformations, a brand new, fresh start because our mantra is it doesn't matter that we did it. Caregivers and parents will say, ‘What do I tell her? What do I tell him?’, and I say you tell him whatever you want - tell her you did it,” Susie said.
She continued, “Sometimes there might be a relationship that's damaged. Maybe the teenage girl feels like Mom didn't protect her from Mom's boyfriend. And so she can say she did it and it can kind of help repair that. We don't need the accolade. So that's part of the reason we leave so they can have genuine true reactions and not have to say thank you. They just know they’re loved and cared about by people who don't even know them.”
Susie’s nonprofit Room Redux has been a tremendous success and has received countless positive feedback from parents and caregivers for her work. She even found international recognition by being recognized as the L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth National Honoree, a prestigious title.
She now has 17 individual Room Redux chapters across the world. But she is far from finished.
“There will be a chapter of Room Redux in every city, in every state, in every country because the statistics show us, unfortunately, that abuse happens everywhere to children. So I would love to put us out of business,” Susie said.
To learn more about Susie Vybiral and Room Redux visit https://roomredux.org/
A Message from Trudy Jacobson
“The world owes a debt of gratitude to Susie and her nonprofit organization Room Redux. The help she is providing families and children is truly inspiring.”
– Trudy Jacobson
Watch the full interview with Susie Vybiral at
