Hearts of Change - Teens Talking to Teens Leadership Program
"Teens Talking to Teens about Threat, Trauma, and Therapy" in Teen Dating Violence and IPV: Youth Mentor Certification Program & HOC Youth Ambassadorship
The conflict of caring for someone who is abusive is a challenge, especially
when the person can be a parent or loved one. Exposure to this at a young age
leads to generational trauma and a feeling of self-blame among the child of a domestic
violence home and a risk to be involved in an abusive relationship for those teens who may normalize the signs and red flags.
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Our goal is to provide a space to reconcile these different feelings with the aim to help
teens to understand both the victim and abuser in totality of who they are,
rather than in fragments based on their isolated actions. The work involved in
attempting to end physical and emotional violence requires a multi-faceted approach, one that teens can eradicate by supporting the criteria of debunking the stigma towards teen dating violence. The more we speak about it, the more we normalize seeking help and debunking the stigma against mental health.
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Our mission is to bring innovative teaching and awareness to this arena with our Teen Talking to Teens Leadership Program.
Dr. Bindu Babu, I-MD PHD
CEO & Executive Director
Hearts of Change Mind Body Bridging Program
Teen Talking to Teens Workbook Co- Author & Program Facilitator
International Best Selling Author, Speaker, Integrative Medicine Practitioner & trained Physician.
Quantum Based Transformational Coach &
Consultant
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Danielle N. Williams, JD, MS, MSED
Executive Director
Hearts of Change - Teens Talking to Teens Leadership Program
Dr. Danielle N. Williams is the founder and CEO of S.T.I.G.M.A Consulting Group, LLC. She named her
company S.T.I.G.M.A (Student Timely IEP Growth Modification Advocates) because of the stigma parents
and children of disabilities face every day, which she wants to dispel.
As a special educator for over
15 years, Danielle has served as an assistant principal, teacher, instructional coach, and Executive Director.
She is currently the District Director of Alternative Programs/Twilight Principal with the Valley Stream
Central High School District where she created a school for over-age under credited high school students
with and without special needs. She is a 2020 Early Childhood Leadership Fellow with the Division for Early
Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Williams received the 2024 Nassau BOCES
Education Partner award for her profound effect on public education in Nassau County.
Dr. Celina Pina Shemo, Psy.D
Hearts of Change - Teens Talking to Teens Leadership Program Facilitator & Workbook Co-Author
Founder and CEO of VGI Mental Health, a
501 C 3, non-profit organization, providing clinical services to diverse populations.
Dr. Celina is recognized for her distinguished clinical proficiencies, particularly in the area of
trauma and abuse. She is an international bestselling author of “The Five Keys to Emotional
Oneness; the Emotional Detox System,” she has also developed training and coaching
curriculums based on her “Five Keys System.”
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Dr. Faith Brown, Ed.D
Hearts of Change - Teens Talking to Teens Leadership Program Facilitator & Workbook Co-Author
Counseling Psychologist, Performance Strategist, Business
Mentor, Author, Speaker, Professor, Radio Personality, & Expert Panelist
Dr. Brown coaches individuals and corporate entities in posturing for next level positioning.
Specializing in relationships, she leverages her knowledge in neuropsychology and behaviorism with more than 25 years in the corporate sector to facilitate personal and professional development.
Dr. Natoushka Trenard, MD, MPH
Grant Procurement & Program Support
Dr. Natoushka Trenard is currently serving as Chief of the Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine Division at Metropolitan Hospital which she joined in 2019 as the Director of Critical Care Services.
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Dr. Trenard is on the Board of Advisor for Hearts of Change.
Dr. Janice Desir MD, MPH
Grant Procurement & Program Support
Dr. Janice Desir is a Nephrologist & Renal Module Clinical Course Director at CUNY School of Medicine
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Dr. Vinod Karavally
Chief Program Research Associate
Dr. Vinod Karavally is a trained physician and an educator who has worked in the healthcare industry for over 15 years. Dr. Karavally is currently working in the healthcare sector of hospital insurance claims. Additionally, Dr. Karavally is an Adjunct Professor at CUNY LaGuardia College and previously worked as an Adjunct Professor at Queens College.
Sophia Carone
Program Research Assistant
Sophia Carone is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is studying Psychology and Public Health. Originally from New York City, she brings a diverse perspective to her academic and professional pursuits.
As a research assistant in the Infant Visual Cognition Lab at the University of Tennessee, Sophia focuses on developmental working memory and attention. This role has deepened her understanding of cognitive processes and her implications for early childhood development.
With aspirations to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Sophia is passionate about using her expertise to address mental health disparities, particularly among children in underserved communities. She is committed to making a positive impact through research and direct service.
Devin Shetty
Program Assistant
Devin is Penn State University undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business. Devin has a passion for driving positive change through community engagement, data analysis, and project management. He's acquired a versatile skill set that enables him to adapt to different challenges and contexts, from political campaigns to database transformation in the communities. Devin has interned at the Department of Environmental Services where he accelerated his skills in data analysis and program coordination .