Make space to rest, heal and connect. Join a community of young women ages 15 to 22 for a facilitated conversation and restorative movement. This community welcomes any young person who is femme-identifying, including trans* and GNC folks. Please wear comfortable clothes for light movement and stretching.
When: Wednesday, July 29, 4–5:30 p.m.
Where: This is a virtual workshop, advance registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot.
What: A workshop to make space for YOUR healing. Featuring:
- Aisaaca Hammond will give a keynote on emotional and mental wellness. A recent graduate from the University of Minnesota College of Education & Human Development earning a Master of Social Work (MSW). Aisacca is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker and currently works with the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation and North Education Center as a school-based Mental Health Practitioner.
- Marjorie Grievous will lead a gentle, restorative movement practice. Marjorie has been practicing yoga for 40 years and became a yoga teacher 10 years ago. She holds certifications in yin yoga, trauma-informed yoga, prison yoga project and teaches classes in Hatha (slow flow) and restorative yoga both at YWCA St. Paul and at Yoga Sanctuary in South Minneapolis. Marjorie is a registered member of Yoga Alliance and the Black Yoga Teachers Association. She has a long career in social services working with youth and families in crisis both in the Twin Cities and Southern California. Marjorie earned her BA in Secondary Education from Augsburg University, an MS in Human Services from Springfield College and an MA in Theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
- Athena Cloud and Ponny White, YWI Cabinet Members, will facilitate a conversation where you can connect with other young people and share your favorite self-care and wellness tools.
An enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Athena recently earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and American Indian studies from Augsburg University. Athena is now an American Indian educator for the Robbinsdale School District, specializing in working with Native youth across the district as a member of the Indian Education Department. Throughout the years, Athena has worked diligently to address disparities that affect American Indian communities across the state. She is a former Miss Red Lake Nation Princess and served a one-year term representing the Nation. She works with Native nations and community programs to initiate Mino-Bimaadiziwin, a good life, for those with whom she works. Athena has created her own way of promoting a healthy lifestyle by using “Powwow Zumba” as a way to motivate participants to get active and moving through traditional powwow dancing with a twist. Athena has also shared her own story and obstacles to motivate Native youth to push through the barriers of systems that were not designed for them. Athena is very proud of the work she has done and will continue to do to pave the way for the next generation of American Indian leaders.
Ponny holds a B.S. Political Science: Women & Gender Studies & B.A. Multimedia Journalism from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Ponny is a dedicated reproductive rights activist working with organizations like “Advocates for Youth” and “Planned Parenthood” to lobby Congress for legislation in support of young people’s access to affordable reproductive healthcare. As the President of her college’s Black Student Union and Campus Feminist org, Ponny orchestrated free, inclusive and comprehensive sexual education courses at her university. As an immigrant-American, first gen college student, Ponny understands the systemic disadvantages marginalized groups constantly experience; which is why she strives to center black, queer, bodies of color in her public service work.
