Pervasive current and historical trauma necessitates a new approach to community engagement. It is imperative to take into account the psychological needs of community members and avoid re-traumatization triggers, which “traditional” models of community engagement may ignore or exacerbate.
Being trauma-informed can equip libraries and other cultural arts institutions to better serve our complex communities. In this webinar, Ozy Aloziem, MSW, will discuss how adopting a trauma-informed approach to community engagement can create an environment of collaboration and trust and enable individuals to access the resources and support they need.
Viewers will learn:
What trauma is and why we should care about it
What trauma-informed community engagement looks like in practice
How individuals may be impacted by doing trauma-informed community engagement
How individuals can take care of themselves while helping others
About Our Presenter: Ozy Aloziem is the founder and principal advisor of HEAL INC LLC. She is a TEDx speaker, an award-winning Igbo social work scholar, and professor deeply committed to collective liberation, justice, radical imagination, and healing. Ozy was the Denver Public Library's first Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager. During that time, she was a 2021 Library Journal “Movers & Shaker” award winner for her racial equity research and advocacy. She is a well-regarded skilled facilitator and speaker and has served as a racial equity and racial healing consultant for numerous organizations across the nation and globe. She is currently living in Mexico City, attempting to learn Spanish and rest.