Across the Globe, We Are United in Our Dedication to Children’s Healing

Who We Are

Imago Dei Wellness was founded by Thai Makia Gambrell, a trauma‑informed PhD student, faith‑rooted leader, and advocate for children, families, and the communities who hold them. As an educator, and storyteller, Thai brings together evidence‑based practice, spiritual formation, and lived experience to create spaces where healing is possible and dignity is restored.

Grounded in the belief that every person is made in the image of God, Thai leads Imago Dei Wellness with a commitment to compassion, cultural humility, and justice. Her work centers on equipping the adults who shape children’s lives—parents, teachers, caregivers, and faith leaders—with the tools, language, and confidence to recognize trauma, respond wisely, and cultivate resilience.

Thai’s leadership is shaped by her deep roots in Philadelphia, her academic training in social work and trauma‑informed practice, and her calling to serve communities facing adversity with both skill and spiritual grounding. Through Imago Dei Wellness, she bridges research and real‑world application, offering training, advocacy, and wellness programs that honor the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Imago Dei Wellness exists because Thai believes healing is communal, restoration is possible, and hope is a practice. Her mission is simple: to help adults heal so children can thrive, and to build communities where every image‑bearer is seen, supported, and empowered.

Rasheeda Little is a Vice Chair of the Board of Imago Dei Wellness Institute and an emerging leader in community-based wellness and youth advocacy. With a passion for holistic healing and trauma-informed care, she is dedicated to creating safe, empowering spaces for women and at-risk youth.

Rasheeda brings experience in program development, mentorship, and community engagement, with a focus on integrating creative expression and emotional wellness into healing practices. In 2020, Rasheeda completed her Associate of Science Degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Change, further strengthening her commitment to impactful leadership.

Deeply rooted in her faith and love for writing, Rasheeda uses her voice to inspire growth, reflection, and transformation. Her work is driven by a vision to build stronger, healthier communities through compassion, connection, and purpose.

Our Approach

We Facilitate Safe Learning Spaces

At Imago Dei Wellness, we believe that every child carries God‑given worth, and it is our collective responsibility to protect, nurture, and uplift them. Our approach centers on empowering families, equipping communities, and raising trauma‑informed awareness so children can grow in safety, dignity, and hope.

We strengthen families by providing education, tools, and support that help caregivers understand trauma, build healthy connections, and create stable environments where children can thrive. We equip communities—educators, ministries, civil service workers, and local leaders—with practical, science‑aligned strategies that shift responses from punitive to restorative. And we raise awareness by helping adults see beyond behavior to the deeper needs and stories of our most vulnerable and valuable asset: our children.

Through this integrated, faith‑rooted model, Imago Dei Wellness works to restore dignity, cultivate resilience, and build networks of safe, informed adults who champion the well‑being of every child.

01.

— Our Mission

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco.Imago Dei Wellness exists to restore dignity, strengthen families, and equip communities with the trauma‑informed, faith‑rooted tools needed to support and protect our most valuable asset—our children. We empower adults to lead with compassion, wisdom, and spiritual insight so every child can grow in safety, belonging, and hope.

02.

— Our Vision

A world where every child is seen, valued, and supported by a network of healed, informed, and compassionate adults. Imago Dei envisions families, schools, ministries, and community systems working together to create environments where children can thrive emotionally, academically, and spiritually—free to imagine, dream, and become who God created them to be.

03.

— Our Story

Imago Dei Wellness was born from a simple but profound truth: every person carries the image of God, and every child deserves to be nurtured in that truth. As a mother, grandmother, educator, and advocate, Ty witnessed firsthand how childhood adversity shapes behavior, learning, and identity. She also saw how many adults—parents, teachers, pastors, and civil service workers—were doing their best but lacked the tools to understand trauma or respond with compassion.

What began as a calling became a mandate: Equip the adults who shape children’s worlds. Through faith‑centered teaching, trauma‑informed training, and community partnerships, Imago Dei Wellness now stands as a bridge—connecting science with spirituality, compassion with skill, and awareness with action.

Our story is one of restoration, advocacy, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child. And we continue this work because when adults heal, learn, and lead well, children flourish.