Grief and Grieving Community Building Circles

“I exist somewhere between the pain of your death and the joy of your life”. -Author Unknown

Restorative Justice Initiative is offering two community building circles for our network on Grief and Grieving.

On Wednesday, December 7th, from 6-8pm we are holding a circle on Navigating Grief and Loss as an RJ Facilitator or Healing Justice Practitioner, with Kena Acuña. This two-hour circle will provide an opportunity for RJI Facilitators to process their own grief and loss. Using the circle process, Somatics, and mindfulness, we will explore the six stages of grief and our relationship to them. There will also be space to hold joy as we navigate grief.

On Monday, December 12th, from 5-7pm we are holding an open community circle for our network on Unpacking What Grief and Grieving mean to you, with Leslie Short. We will be examining the meaning of the words Grief and Grieving, and how you accept the 5 stages of grief when they come, how they come, and how to keep moving.

Register for a session on our website.

More info about our facilitators:

Kena Acuña, MPHE, ACC, is a health educator, ICF-certified coach, and training and healing facilitator. Her work includes public health, reproductive justice, staff development, and race equity, with individuals and organizations in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She leads workshops on managing stress and anxiety during moments of collective trauma, and since 2019, has been providing virtual support and skills for addressing the emotional effects of COVID-19. Kena has facilitated circles on grief and loss for educators in NYC and has trained Community Health Workers and Health Promoters on navigating loss and grief in order to provide support to the communities they work with. Kena is trained in Internal Family Systems, peer counseling and mindfulness. She trains educators on Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices with the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility.

Leslie Short, owner and creator of Ascend Bereavement Management. {ABM} ABM is responsible for guiding families through the business of death, conflict and grief.

She is also a chaplain, activist, certified mental health aide, mediator, conflict, and transformational coach as well as CEO and Leadership advisor. Leslie is also the owner of The Cavu Group which focuses on company culture through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lens.