Online Events

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This is an interactive workshop designed to help people change patterns of thought and behavior shaped by traumatic experiences. Topics include understanding what holds us back, finding your inner peace, building healthy relationships, understanding our thinking, separate realities, learning how to forgive, controlling our moods, living the best possible life. FREE and open to all. 

Offered via Zoom.  For further information contact: Hnealali614@gmail.com 

Helen Neal-Ali is a Level II Certified Trauma Specialist. Through her company, Life Changing Consulting & Associates, she motivates individuals and groups through personal and community empowerment training. Her most recent workshops teach participants to empower the wisdom they have inside of them to be the best that they can be. 

UPCOMING WORKSHOP DATES: TBA

These sessions combine information from the Letting Go Of A Traumatic Past workshops with an ongoing mutual support group.

Every Thursday from 3pm-4pm

McCown Towers Conference Room

1300 Boulevard of the Arts

All Residents Welcome 

Graduates of Letting Go of A traumatic Past and ongoing participants in Striving To Thriving sessions are eligible for 1-3 individual free sessions with Helen Neal-Ali. Contact  Hnealali614@gmail.com

What you need to know about responding to people in distress. Includes information about how trauma affects us; tips for responding to people who are fearful, angry, or mistrustful; techniques for helping people to calm down and for building resilience; and “Red Flags” for when to call in a professional.

Janet E. Taylor, M.D., MPH - Dr. Janet Taylor is a community psychiatrist working with individuals who are criminal justice-involved and who have mental illness.

Andrea Blanch, PhD - Andrea Blanch is a consultant with expertise in mental health, trauma, and systems change.

View the latest session HERE.

For further information, contact Andrea Blanch akblanch@aol.com

This two-hour training provides an overview of the "Community Safekeepers" response to Covid-19, (called "Community Health Deputies" by the Neighborhood Resilience Project, who designed the model.) Participants learn the basic functions of a Community Safekeeper and essential information about preventing and responding to Covid-19.

Offered on request via Zoom to individuals interested in becoming involved in the Community Safekeepers Program. 

For further information, contact Betsy Friedman blfsrq@gmail.com 

WATCH THE TRAINING SESSION HERE

Many parents in Sarasota are looking for resources and support for how to talk with their children about racism and privilege, and how to support the development of values of racial equity and justice. This workshop provides the opportunity for participants to reflect on their own racial attitudes while also learning and practicing ways to discuss racism with their children.

Participants are encouraged to sign up with a friend or co-parent – someone they can talk with throughout the week to share stories, wonderings, and realizations.

Format:

• 4 one-hour Zoom sessions, a week apart, with “homework” to be conducted between sessions.
• Free.
• Participants will be invited to a closed (private) Facebook group for participants only.
• Participants can get to know each other, and share stories, wonderings, and realizations throughout the workshop to build a sense of community.
• This is a small-group discussion-based workshop. Participants will be asked to share their thoughts and reflections each week.

ATTENTION: Registering for this workshop is a commitment to all (4) Zoom sessions. Since the workshops have limited space to allow for an intimate learning environment, we ask that if you are NOT able to commit to all 4 sessions to please leave space for those who can. Additional dates will continue to be announced that may work better for your schedule and needs. Thank you for understanding.

Curriculum:

• Participants will read 4 selected chapters of So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo, to begin self-examination & reflection.
• Participants will be encouraged to purchase 2-3 children’s books from a recommended list.
• Facilitators will share video links both for adults and children to spur conversations about race.
• Guiding questions for the children’s books and discussion strategies will be discussed.
• Participants will reflect on ways they themselves & their children can be agents of change.

Parameters:

This workshop will:

• Start from the premise that racial injustice & systemic racism exist today.
• Provide opportunities for self-reflection & discussion to raise one’s own awareness of racial attitudes & bias.
• Provide instruction & recommendations for books & guided discussion questions to address racial injustice with children aged 7-12.
• Work toward a goal of becoming parents and raising children who will be agents of social change.

This workshop will not:

• Advocate for specific political groups or organizations
• Discuss the merits of specific political actions or proposals

Facilitators:

Dr. Thomas William (Bill) Clyburn is a retired psychological sociologist. He has given numerous talks around the country relating to challenges facing urban minority youths relative to race, racial and cultural identity and criminal justice. 

Sarah Hu is a veteran public school teacher. Sarah believes in the power of individuals to have a meaningful impact on their neighbors, co- workers, friends and family, and in this way change their ever-widening world. 

Teidra Everett is a wife, mother and educator. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family. She has a deep passion for promoting kindness amongst children. That’s where it all starts! 

Greg Cruz is the founder of Streets Of Paradise, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the houseless. He's also spearheaded the "Stop The Violence Day" a no-cost community event where all are welcome. From the rights of prisoners and migrant workers to the LBTQ+ community to environmental activism, the single father of 4’s motivation is to leave the world a better place for all of our children. 

Kim Doleatto  writes for the Sarasota Herald Tribune on topics like early childhood education and development. She is a mother, active community member, and Italian-Canadian immigrant. She believes that reflection and conversation are essential steppingstones to build a world where equality is a given for our children. 

Upcoming Workshop dates: TBA