CINDY BEZAS

Cindy is a national adult and youth speaker who is passionate about storytelling and its ability to connect generations through storytelling’s empowerment and connective ability. She has been a top-ranked podcast host, a featured vocal soloist, professional actress, and published author. She is nationally certified as an oral and written storyteller, in addition to being internationally certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader. Her passion is helping communities and families find strength in each other's stories.

• Healing Fractured Families Through the Power of Family Stories: Friday at 10:15 AM & Saturday at 3:15 PM
• Ooh, Comic Strips! (The Power of Your Life's Story Visual Form): Friday at 3:15 PM 

 Healing Fractured Families Through the Power of Family Stories – Cindy Bezas, M.S.; Basic, Intermediate; (Friday at 10:15 AM & Saturday at 3:15 PM) 

The role of intergenerational family stories is strongly connected to mental health and wellbeing. When we know our ancestors' stories, research shows family bonds strengthen and connections deepen. Self-esteem increases. A sense of wellbeing and resilience grows. But *how* we share those stories makes all the difference. Come learn how to tell your family's history in a way that changes lives, helps heal injured feelings, and empowers family members. Leave the class with your first story ready for the telling!

Ooh, Comic Strips! (The Power of Your Life's Story In Visual Form) – Cindy Sue Bezas, M.S.; Basic, Intermediate; (Friday at 3:15 PM & Saturday at 11:30 AM)

Calling all teens! Future teens need you! Why? At your stage of life right now, your advice needs to be remembered. Just think on this. What have you learned from tough times? What brings the best kind of happiness? What do you want remembered about you? In this class you’ll learn one of the best ways to keep those stories: making your own comic strips! Not only are they easy (hint: you don’t need to be an artist), creating them even lowers stress and helps with anxiety. Learn how to tell your life story in a memorable way. And by the end of class, you’ll walk away with a cool story from your life in comic book form.