When 20 days to go October 08, 2026 at 6:00pm 2 hrs

Join us for our 4-week Wellness Series for Artists & Activists. We will meet every Thursday from October 1st to October 22nd from 6-8pm at the IMC, 202 S Broadway, Urbana, IL 61801. This series will be facilitated by Karen Simms (trauma-informed care), Dua Aldasouqi (dietitian), and Ty Lewis (somatic practitioner). 

Each week during the series, Karen, Dua, and Ty will offer hands-on tools and resources that focus on individual, community, and broader community care. We will end the series with a reflective discussion. We have a simple breakdown below of each week.  

  • Week 1: October 1 - individual/self care 

  • Week 2: October 8th - community care (example: family, co-workers, and neighbors) 

  • Week 3: October 15th - broader community care  

  • Week 4: October 22nd - reflective discussion 

We encourage you to commit to all 4 sessions, but it is not required. 

For questions regarding the series, please contact our Program Manager, Ty Lewis, at [email protected]. 

 Sign up HERE! 

Karen Simms Bio 

 Karen Simms, MAMFT, LMHC, LCPC, is a therapist, trainer, and founder of Trauma & Resilience Initiative (TRI) and TRU Healing Solutions. With 30+ years of experience, she supports leaders, advocates, organizations, and communities in understanding trauma, strengthening resilience, and cultivating healing, connection, and collective well-being. 

Dua Aldasouqi Bio 

Dua Aldasouqi is multi-faceted, and though you may know her as Dua CU MAC, the local Palestinian and CU MAC team member who advocates fiercely for Palestinian rights and self-determination. She is, by profession, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who believes deeply in the interconnectedness of our lives. Food and eating, like every other aspect of our lives, is political, and we can nourish ourselves and our souls while being cognizant of those within--and outside of—our circles. 

Ty Lewis Bio 

Ty Lewis is a performing artist, experimental site-specific choreographer, somatic practitioner, movement activist, and educator, born and raised in Houston, TX, and currently residing in Urbana, IL. Ty is trained and certified in yoga & Pilates. She also has a strong background in dance improvisation. As Ty continues to expand her movement research, she maintains an open perspective to dance, movement, and the arts as tools for individual growth, creative expression, collaboration, and social change.