This virtual workshop will guide participants in a creatively brave, safe space to discover and explore various self-care strategies and healing tools that support overall wellness. Through interactive exercises, reflective practices, and shared experiences, the workshop aims to strengthen participants' ability to care for themselves emotionally, mentally, and physically, while fostering personal growth and a lasting sense of inner E.A.S.E (Education, Application, Self-care, Energy).

Facilitators: Alia Berry, MSW LSW & Dr. Waffiyah Saleem Iddriss :

Alia Berry, a local licensed community-based social worker and national consultant, has 24 years experience serving ages 0-75 years old in a variety of settings from daycares to group homes to correctional facilities. Her experience is well rounded and vast as a former special education teacher, former school leader, clinician and mentor. Alia currently supports community violence intervention/prevention work as she addresses the nuanced emotional roots of violence through a trauma informed and healing centered lens with individuals before, during and after incarceration- from the sidewalk to the courtroom and from corrections to reentry.

In 2020, Alia founded The Village Revival Project, a nonprofit organization that uses art to humanize the relationship between those who have caused violence and their surrounding communities; ultimately building social cohesion within the community at large.

Alia has a particular passion for supporting professionals who have high exposure to secondary and vicarious trauma through community work. In order for these individuals to continue to serve with quality, fidelity and empathy - their wellness is of paramount concern and must be systematically prioritized. To this end, she creates safe space workshops as well as provides consultation regarding building teams and designing infrastructure to help cultivate wellness culture within the workplace.

As an LSW, Alia is dually certified in Elementary/Special Education, a certified School Social Worker and holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work with an emphasis in Violence Against Women and Children: Concentration on Violent Perpetrators. Alia is also a certified Grief and Loss Specialist.

Alia currently works as a principal consultant of Seeds & Berries providing national capacity building and training as well as direct clinical services in schools, nonprofits and the government sector. Visit www.seedsandberries.com for more information.

Dr. Waffiyah Saleem Iddriss

Dr. Waffiyah (Saleem) Iddriss, founder of SHE MATTERS, a wellness movement inviting BIPOC/ALAANA women, girls, femmes to healing and liberation via consulting, healing circles, liberatory design curricula, speaking engagements, interactive training and workshops. She has partnered with over 20 organizations throughout NJ.

Currently, serving as The Deputy Director of Coalition of Change for NJ (COCNJ), Mental Health Consultant/Facilitator for Simon Youth Academy and RECOVERY, Consultant/Facilitator for NJ Child Welfare Training Program (NJCWTP) of Rutgers University, Board of Trustee for Berea Scholars, NYC and Newark Educators Community Charter School (NECCS), Treasurer for NJ Association of Black Social Workers(NJABSW), as well as, Co-Chair of Women of Color Taskforce for NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV).

She has 20 years experience working in Child Protection and Higher Education in NJ. Dr. Iddriss expanded her advocacy and traveled to over fourteen countries throughout Africa, Central America and Europe bringing awareness, sharing in advocacy, encouraging responsibility, exchanging in engagement, and supporting resilience.

Dr. Iddriss subscribes to the Ethiopian Proverb, “S/He who learns, teaches.” Her charismatic engagement and infectious spirit ushers a pursuit of igniting purpose, inspiring self-discovery, and introducing possibilities.

Invitation to E.A.S.E.: Creating Restoration for Self