Team 1 — Healing In Community

Our Team

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Bunny Chidester has worked in the field of Human Services since 1996, originally in child abuse prevention and mentoring young parents and teens. She has been an advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, with a passion for Primary Prevention work and youth advocacy. For 7 years she served as the My Life Youth Program Coordinator and Special Projects Director. She developed a 6-year mentoring program for 8th-12th grade students in King George, VA where “non-traditional student leaders” who may not have seen themselves as leaders developed facilitation skills, led workshops for other youth, and saw increased self-esteem as they served as peer educators and role models for area youth. Bunny worked as a contract trainer for VDH, JMU, and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance (VSDVAA). In 2013, VSDVAA awarded her their Blue Ribbon award for Child and Youth Advocacy. She is certified in the Richmond Peace Education Center’s Conflict Resolution, Help Increase the Peace, and HROC curriculums. RPEC awarded Bunny their 2018 Peacemaker of the Year award for her work with youth and her commitment to social justice.

Renée A. Hill retired as an Associate Professor of Philosophy specializing in Political Philosophy and as the Interim Department Chair for the Department of History and Philosophy at Virginia State University. She developed and coordinated the Oasis, the Mindfulness/Meditation Center on VSU’s campus; and for twelve years was Co-Director of the Institute for the Study of Race Relations. She taught, researched, lectured, and implemented programs in the areas of social justice and contemplative practices. She advised the LGBTQ student advocacy organization on campus and continues to serve on the board of the Southern Initiative Algebra Project. She has studied at the Intercultural Communications Institute and the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and was awarded a fellowship for the teaching of contemplative practices by the American Council of Learned Societies. She is also a certified Conflict Resolution and Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities facilitator.

Elham Khairi is a servant leader, certified facilitator, nonviolent practitioner who has over 17 years’ experience in the field of Conflict Resolution, Multinational Violence Prevention, Restorative Circles, and Interpretation for Vulnerable Populations.
She is passionate about facilitating growth, healing and transforming lives who is skilled in creating and holding space for complex experiences, and identities.
     She received her degree in Political Science from Alneelin University and a postgraduate diploma in Translation from Juba University, Sudan. She is a certified trainer in the following curriculums and pedagogy: Alternatives to Violence, Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities, The Voice of Love and Healing Voices.
She studied with Lee McKenna: Partera.org, Dr. Ram Bhagat: Drums No Guns Foundation, Kay Pranis: Restorative Justice Circles and continues to study with Santa Sorenson: Healing in Community. She specializes in community trauma healing, survivors of war and sexual violence, linguistically appropriate social and mental health services.
*Awards*
   Diversity/Inclusion/Outreach Leadership Award – Richmond/Henrico Health Dept.

Community Serving Award- The American Sudanese Association in Richmond Va.

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Colonel Pratt is a Facilitator experienced in working with groups of all ages. Colonel excels at relating to people with diverse backgrounds and is an effective communicator who is fueled by a desire to genuinely connect with those he serves. Colonel has thrived as a facilitator under the guidance of Santa Sorenson and regularly seeks opportunities to sharpen his skills independently as well. Colonel holds a Bachelor's in Bible from Ohio Valley University and is enrolled as a graduate student at George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution where he is earning his Masters degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Colonel is passionate about Social Justice and actively engages in anti-racism work as a volunteer with the Richmond Pledge to End Racism. Colonel is encouraged daily by his wife Kelly and their two teenaged children. In his free time, he likes to listen to music, read, and play video games with his wife and children.

Rachael Randall was raised outside of Omaha Nebraska as a “perk” of being in a military family. Rachael received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from University of Nebraska-Omaha In 2013. After graduating, Rachael began working in mental health with youth. In 2014, Rachael moved to Richmond Virginia for no particular reason other than to be somewhere new. In 2019, Rachael received their Masters in Social Work from VCU, igniting a passion in social justice. During this time, Rachael began facilitating conflict resolution workshops, engaging with community activism, community building and working collaboratively with organizations and people around Richmond. Rachael has also received training in a restorative justice and transformative practice called circle process with Kay Pranis. Rachael currently works as the program manager at a youth crisis unit. Rachael desires to continue building a career in organizational development by helping leaders and groups find the tools to have difficult conversations in order to increase diversity, fostering innovation and creativity.

Rachael is a black, female, millennial, cat lover, extrovert, know-it-all that wants to be more curious, social justice warrior who values love, authenticity, and connection.

Lyons Sanchezconcha is an experienced educator passionate about education equity. Born in Peru and raised in Northern Virginia, Lyons has made Richmond his home and is dedicated to serving the diverse RVA youth. Lyons has facilitated many sessions ranging from restorative practices, conflict resolution, and equity in education. He also serves as a board member for the Virginia College Access Network, Asian Latino Solidarity Alliance, Scholars Latino Initiative, and the Governor's Latino Advisory Board. Lyons is currently working on an M.Ed. on Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Richmond.