When

      Thursday, September 29th from 12 to 1:30 PM ET 

Where

      Zoom

Costs

OASW Members: Free!
Non-Members: $20
Student Non-Members: $10

Event Description

In a society where Black identities are constantly under attack, many are left feeling rejected, unsafe, helpless, and alone in their challenges with pervasive racial trauma. The reality of systemic racism requires Black communities to find a safe haven to explore their common past and present wounds, externalize their pain and fears, meanwhile gaining culturally appropriate support to move them along their healing journey as they celebrate and honour their Black identities.

We will explore, how for centuries African principles and practices have highlighted the importance of communal healing, Indigenous knowledge and practices prioritize collective healing, and western sciences have remained consistent around healthy connections being one of our most advanced healing tools. Learners will gain a brief history on healing circles, the important role Black healing circles and spaces are to the wellness of Black identities overall and why it is vitally important for learners to consider connecting Black bodies to these spaces.

This webinar is offered through OASW's Local Engagement Network Program, which builds local connections and communities among OASW members. To support the growth of social workers in Ontario, we are launching a pilot series of unique learning opportunities focused on professional and personal development. Social workers who are not members of OASW can access these offerings at a nominal fee.

Biography of Presenter:

Simone Donaldson is the Founder, Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist, and Principal Consultant at Agapé Lens Consulting and Therapy. She has devoted over 15 years to racialized communities and mental health. Simone has been featured in multiple media outlets as a mental health and Anti-Black racist expert, including Elle Magazine, Yahoo Mail, and a recent documentary that was selected for the 2022 Toronto Black Film Festival, where she was featured as a guest expert in the film called “Born in Sin”. Simone is also a co-author in a chapter of the first ground breaking Canadian text named, “Africentric Social Work”, which explores the experience of Black communities in Canada, their challenges with Anti-Black racism, and provides best practice guidance to support Black communities across all sectors.

Simone provides psychotherapy, prioritizing Black youth individuals 12 years old and up, through a warm, honest and mindfully present approach. She also consults with organizations in the private and public sectors to bridge the gap between equity and wellness concerns with a specialization in Anti-Black racism. Her consultations consists of education and training, leadership coaching, mental/wellness training, program development, facilitation, team consultations and guest speaking.

Agapé Lens Consulting and Therapy is grounded in the "Love Lens", Africentric care, anti-black racism, attachment, a holistic and a trauma informed lens.

Simone’s purpose is to support all her clients to see sustainable change, while guiding them patiently and safely towards authenticity, so they may heal, thrive, and live out their purpose.

NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:

OASW is committed to inclusion and promoting a diverse range of identities, experiences, perspectives, and voices across all areas of the Association. As such, the registration contains some optional questions that are intended to assist us to better understand our social work community and ensure that our work is reflective of the diverse membership of OASW and our profession.