WRAP is kicking off 2026 and the future of WRAP! The WRAP team, Laurie Wyse, Sarah Farmer, Mary Jaffe, Akua Feathers, and Lynn Patrone, welcome the new year with gratitude that WRAP has achieved nonprofit status as its own organization.
Over the past five years, WRAP has certified hundreds number of new Facilitators and Advanced Level Facilitators (ALFs) throughout the world. It has been very exciting and productive working with county agencies, state agencies, colleges, Veterans administrations, and other innovative programs, such as a Veteran PTSD service dog training program, nonprofit agencies, prison systems, peer programs, and more, to ensure fidelity of WRAP’s evidence-based practice.
Our mission has been to create greater accessibility so every person has an opportunity to participate in and benefit from developing their own WRAP, and with the support of those we have worked with and trained, we have far exceeded this expectation!
On a personal note, during my past two decades with WRAP, it has been my privilege to work with so many peers who shared in the lived experience of improving our lives to be our very best!
When we walk into a WRAP space, titles, positions, status, etc., are overshadowed by a very critical part of the WRAP values and ethics: “Rooted in the belief in equality: No one is any better or has higher value than anyone else.” In WRAP, we are all valued peers on the journey to our best lives.
Reflecting on my 20+ years of WRAP and when I was first introduced to it, I never realized WRAP would become so instrumental in my life. I remember meeting Mary Ellen Copeland in Vermont and being in a Seminar II training where she was consulting. I was most impressed by what I experienced as I watched the humbleness, graceful, yet down-to-earth and caring way Mary Ellen interacted with every person there. She took time to really see us, listen to us, and make us feel like we were very valued. She embodied the heart of WRAP.
At that time in my life, witnessing this brought so much hope to me! I am from a generation where mental health challenges were hidden, ignored, and degraded. That encounter with Mary Ellen set the trajectory for what I was determined to accomplish both in my personal life and my professional life. And for me, they are the same; my personal life is my reason for my work. It connects me as a peer with people on their own journeys while building a support system that has become the cornerstone of my life. My work is my No. 1 wellness tool, with chocolate and the ocean being close seconds!
As we chart this new beginning, the WRAP team is here to support and collaborate with the WRAP community. We value and welcome innovative concepts and ideas! I have been very blessed in my career journey and owe this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to launch WRAP Inc. to the unwavering support of Mary Ellen Copeland, her spouse Ed Anthes, and Advocates for Human Potential CEO Noah Shifman.
As I lead WRAP in the years ahead, I commit to striving to expand WRAP nationally and internationally and to fulfill the goal of Mary Ellen Copeland, which is to share WRAP around the world. So many of you have requested to work with WRAP Inc. on innovative projects, and we are eager to get started. The best is yet to come!
