Mckenzie (she/they) is a Columbia, SC native who graduated from University of South Carolina in 2015 with a double major in Spanish and International Studies and a life long love for dancing. Wellness is a very important part of Mckenzie’s life since high school and they have been teaching a wide variety of yoga and healing classes since January 2012. They are trained in Level 1 and 2 YogaFit, 200hr RYT HoopYogini™, Level 1 and 2 Reiki and have been an active member of the Ecstatic/ Conscious movement dance community since 2014. Community Organizing and Environmentalism is another deeply integral part of their life as they are currently a Board member for Columbia Resilience as the Co-Orchard Keeper for Rosewood’s Public Orchard where permaculture (people and earth care) is put into practice.
Part of what ties everything together for Mckenzie is their interest in Restorative Justice as a method to facilitate deeper listening and engagement with youth, adults and nature. They have been trained in OWL 7-12, IIRP’s courses for Restorative Justice for Educators and Restorative Justice Conferencing as well as another method of group facilitation called Integrative Community Therapy.
That being said, sharing time with people while making crafts, watching movies or weeding gardens are some of their favorite ways to spend time. The UUCC has allowed Mckenzie many opportunities for professional development and group facilitation, as well as the honor to befriend UUCC youth and adults.