June 27: Annie Wood Bell

Adverse experiences in childhood can have detrimental lifelong outcomes, but we must also be more informed about ways we can mitigate negative impact with positive experiences. Annie Wood-Bell explains how adversity, particularly before one's 18th birthday, can be experienced as trauma for people and identifies some of the ways to heal and recover from that trauma. Learn the impact Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs) have on growth and development from the start of growth in babies and through adulthood. Time will be given to identify the healing and supportive resources people need to benefit them in their journey of preventing ACEs, building resilience and creating buffers when inevitable adversities arise. 

Speaker: Annie Wood Bell has lived, worked and played in Anderson, Indiana for 17 years. She is a licensed clinical social worker with her bachelor's in social work from Anderson University and master's in social work from IUPUI. Annie is grateful to have spent over 8 years as a therapist to many courageous people, concentrating much of her work on trauma treatment. Starting in 2020 Annie moved into mezzo/macro social work where she worked as a training consultant with Heart of Indiana United Way. In 2024, she moved into full-time work as the Director of Family Success for Heart of Indiana United Way which has a 5-county reach.  She trains and provides ongoing support to networks of coaches, community health workers, and other professionals and community members so that they can help strengthen the financial stability of individuals and families and help them achieve their short and long term goals. In her spare time, Annie enjoys singing with her family in the kitchen, taking her dog on walks, and going out with her besties.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81254591315