Professional counselors Tierney Veliz and Charlene Armstrong Mayer of the Center for Evaluation & Counseling, will discuss the impact of trauma on children at Project Self-Sufficiency’s next Pizza & PACEs gathering, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m.

The Pizza & PACEs initiative is designed to facilitate the conversation about issues of positive and adverse childhood experiences.). Trauma experts and guest speakers address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resiliency at regularly scheduled workshops. Pizza will be provided; advance registration is required. All attendees must be vaccinated against Covid-19. Those who are not vaccinated, or who are unable to attend in-person, may participate via Zoom.

Tierney Veliz has a master’s degree from Seton Hall University and is currently employed as a Licensed Associate Counselor. Her presentation, “Talking Trauma with Tierney,” will give an in-depth look at the impact of trauma on children.

Adverse childhood experiences are categorized as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity. These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts. It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

The Pizza & PACEs program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call 973-940-3500 to register or to obtain log-in details for remote participation via Zoom. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street, Newton.