One Connection at ACEs Conference Sparked Awareness into Action
/updated April 5th, 2026
How One Conversation at the ACEs Conference Sparked Awareness into Action
From Awareness to Action at the 2017 ACEs Conference
Anyone who attended the 2017 ACEs Conference hosted by the Center for Youth Wellness knows it was a lineup to remember. From Nadine Burke-Harris’ welcoming remarks to Bryan Stevenson’s closing keynote, the speakers inspired us all.
But what stood out most was the chance to connect. Sparks of change often come from the unexpected. I noticed this even before the conference officially began—while waiting in line for my badge, I struck up a conversation with the person next to me. That conversation would shape what came next.
A Chance Meeting with Lasting Impact
That first conversation with Andi Fetzner set the tone for a shared vision. After working together for several months, we decided to partner formally under Origins Training & Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping leaders transform organizations and communities using the science of adversity and resilience.
Introducing The Basics: A Foundation for Trauma-Informed Practices
We developed The Basics, a half-day session that gives participants the foundation to bring trauma-informed and resilience practices into their work. The session covers:
- Why a Trauma-informed Approach
- Understanding Stress & Trauma
- Exploring Resilience
- Applying the Concepts
We’ve delivered this training to cross-sector audiences in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and it’s been a powerful starting point for change.
Exciting Update: The Basics is now available on-demand, and the content has been updated to include the latest research, practical strategies, and real-world examples. You can access the updated session anytime, making it easier to bring trauma-informed practices into your work at your own pace. Health care professionals, lawyers, mental health professionals, and many others can receive continuing education credits (check details here). We even have trainers who are training within their communities.
Principles That Guide Our Work
Here’s what we believe:
- Start at the beginning: Understanding the “why” behind interventions fuels creativity and investment.
- Talk about resilience: While trauma awareness matters, resilience is where the magic happens.
- Culture matters: Embedding resilience into every interaction strengthens organizations.
- Language matters: A shared language ensures everyone’s on the same page.
- Accountability is key: How we each behave impacts communities and systems.
- Teamwork makes the dream work: Learning from others and collaborating across sectors drives solutions.
- Mistakes are okay: Growth happens when it’s safe to take risks.
A Bit About Us
Lori Chelius: Lori brings a background in healthcare systems, strategic planning, and project management, along with years of experience translating complex ideas into practical, actionable strategies. After her own “lightbulb moment” discovering the ACE Study, she shifted her work to focus on trauma-informed systems change. She has supported initiatives like Trauma Free DC and continues to contribute to resilience efforts through community partnerships and training. Through Origins, Lori helps organizations move from insight to implementation with clarity and purpose.
Andi Fetzner: Andi is a licensed therapist, coach, and trauma-informed trainer who has spent her career working alongside children, adults, and families across systems of care. Through that work, she saw the need for a shared language that makes the science of adversity and resilience accessible and actionable. Today, she leads cross-sector trainings and has expanded this work through the updated, on-demand version of The Basics, making it easier for individuals and organizations to engage with trauma-informed and resilience practices in a way that fits their real lives. She continues to support communities in building cultures rooted in resilience, accountability, and connection.
, Andi now leads workshops and serves on the Trauma Informed Taskforce of Greater Los Angeles.
Let’s Get Back to The Basics
Building trauma-informed, resilient communities is simple—but it’s not easy. Together, we can create lasting change, one connection at a time.
Read the original blog post at: http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/how-one-connection-at-cyw-s-aces-conference-sparked-awareness-into-action