Kwanzaa Community Church is hosting a conference aimed at addressing the trauma children have experienced following the May tornado that ripped through North Minneapolis.
The event, "Tornadoes, Tears and Trauma: A conference on recovery, resilience and restoration," will be held July 16, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The conference will be held at dual sites; at the University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center and the Minneapolis Urban League.

The day's schedule will feature presentations by childhood trauma expert, Dr. Bravada Akinsanya, clinical director or Brakins and Associates and African American Child Wellness Institute in Minneapolis.

The conference will also include small group discussions to examine the healing power of childhood resilience, how it can be enhanced, and how it can to lead toward recovery and restoration.
"Our children in North Minneapolis already carry around multi-levels of childhood trauma and the recent tornado only added to it," said the Rev. Alika Galloway, co-pastor of Kwanzaa Community Church and conference planning team member. "We can use this as an opportunity to catapult the community into further conversation with regard to the reduction and healing of trauma in our children."
Additional partners involved in planning of the conference include the University of Minnesota, the city of Minneapolis Department of Health and Support, New Salem Baptist Church and other community and faith-based organizations.
For morel information and to register, visit www.kwanzaachurch.org.