July is a time to celebrate all summer has to offer by building bridges and innovating with community to get to the heart of trauma-informed awareness and resilience building. This month, we’ve added new July dates to the summer 2023 *CRC* curriculum—but that’s only half of the good news.

Last year, the CRC began as a pilot program. Now that it's evolved, what better time to bring accelerator participants together in a PACEs Connection CRC community than the summer? We are proud to announce the official launch of the dedicated CRC community page for all participants of the CRC Accelerator certification program to gather, share and discuss ideas, and innovate together as a community.

Login to the PACEs Connection website and look out for an invitation to join the community.

Program Summary

The PACEs 16-hour Creating Resilient Communities (CRC) accelerator certification program is focused on supporting and developing individual advocates and organizational agents of change in transforming their communities and organizations using PACEs science, trauma-informed awareness and resilience frameworks.

The CRC accelerator will cover fundamental topics such as understanding PACEs science, community organizing, multi-sector collaboration, and strategic planning; as well as several timely topics. Participants who complete all events in the series will receive a Certificate of Completion and will qualify for PACEs Connection fall 2023 fellowship program.

What’s new this July?

New guest consultants will join the CRC to share insight on education, social justice, organizing, and art as a form of healing. We can hardly wait!

Genesis Fisher, Esq., founder and principal attorney of Fisher Law Practice, P.C., will join us as a guest facilitator of CRC: Organizing for Resilient Communities. Prior to starting the firm, Genesis spent eight years fighting for the rights of indigent clients as a public defender with the Legal Aid Society. She began her legal career at the Southern Poverty Law Center, where she worked on national civil rights issues and Alabama jail and women’s prison reform. She became interested in public interest law when she was the coordinator of Volunteers at the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless in D.C. Learn more about Genesis here.

Nikole Barnes Tejada, co-founder of The Ryder | Talbutt Group, will join as a guest facilitator for CRC: PACEs Science and Social Justice. Nikole is a cis, Black, queer woman—she, her—licensed independent clinical social worker and DEIB consultant with over 16 years experience specializing and working with LGBTQIA+, young adults, BIPOC communities as a trauma therapist. Nikole believes in working to decolonize therapy and social justice work as an ongoing process that requires continuous self-reflection, education, and commitment to dismantling oppressive structures. Learn more about Nikole here.

While today’s educators continue to advocate for the special needs of students, many have needs that go unnoticed. CRC: Introduction to PACEs in Education will support educators and advocates in having a better understanding of PACEs science in schools and throughout education systems.

Gwen Grant, Director of Developmental Support of Urban Yoga Foundation, will facilitate CRC: Introduction to PACEs in Education. Schools are an integral part of creating a thriving and resilient community. This session will serve as an introduction for folx in both education and non-education roles interested in the effects of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences in school settings and the practices of trauma-informed schools. We will take a brief dive into how trauma and adversity affect learning and behavior and relationships between educators, why this shift in school culture is so important, and how communities can support the efforts of their local schools. Learn more about Gwen’s work here.

Grassroots organizer and activist, Agnes Yellow Bear, owner of ReeCreeations, will join as a guest facilitator of CRC: Introduction to Arts as Healing a Community to offer creative ways to promote healing. Agnes is Plains Cree from Kawacatoose First Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada. She brings her lived experience as the daughter of a Residential school survivor and Sixties Scoop survivor, culture, and creativity together through art, fashion, activism, and advocacy as a form of liberation. Agnes uses her lived experience to advocate for MMIWP and Orange Shirt Day. As an artist, Agens combines her passion for storytelling through stitches and social justice issues as a way to empower Indigenous People and spark meaningful conversations, inspire, and challenge. Learn more about Agnes here.

New to the CRC? Register for Introduction to PACEs Connection To Get Started

As a friendly reminder, attending Introduction to PACEs Connection is a required prerequisite of the CRC. There are several event dates available and you only need to attend ONE time. If you already attended, you will receive links for the remaining events via email. Registration links to the remaining introductory events are listed below. Click the registration link to choose from multiple options:
➤ Introduction to PACEs Connection

Pick Up the CRC Accelerator Certification Program Where You Left Off, This Summer

➤ Review a brief description of each event and this certification overview.

➤ Look out for the dedicated CRC newsletter with a list of event registration links.

➤ If you haven’t seen the list of events, you may want to update your PACEs Connection newsletter settings. Email communitymanager@acesconnection.com if you haven’t received the list of events.

What 2023 CRC Participants Have to Say About the Accelerator

“This is the way forward!” –Laurie Johnson-Wade @ Lost Dreams Awaken Center, Co-Founder

“This training is fantastic for connecting dots and getting the wheels turning about how to effectively implement a PACES lens into the work your non-profit might already be doing. This training has left me with myriad ideas about the intersections at which I can plan to implement opportunities for youth resilience. Both the curriculum and pedagogy were top-notch.” –Kate Brennan, Director of Strategic Growth, Philadelphia City Rowing

“What an incredible learning opportunity this is! Free resources and training and excellent discussion and collaboration with others who are passionate about trauma-informed practice!” –Jonathan Enix, Putnam County Schools

As a Part of the PACEs Movement, It’s Raining Gratitude!

PACEs Connection is grateful that you’re as passionate about trauma-informed awareness and heart-centered resilience building through a PACEs lens as we are. Our science is for everyone who wants to create, grow, and sustain resilient communities. We also know access matters. Thanks to the generosity of grants, Genentech sponsorship, and partners, the *CRC* Accelerator certification program is FREE. Pay it forward through this Click-to-Tweet link we created to make it easier to promote the CRC or share the CRC with your communities and workplaces.

Email Kahshanna Evans, Director of the CRC kevans@pacesconnection.com with any questions, at any time. The consultant staff at PACEs Connection look forward to seeing you soon!

About the author: Kahshanna Evans brings her passion for uniting people through stories and trauma-informed awareness to her role as the Director of Creating Resilient Communities at PACEs Connection. Kahshanna has been a leading strategic thinker in various industries, including communications, tech, professional services, and wellness.