The FORT experience
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The FORT is a safe, healing, community space for young people in middle and high school to find connection, make friends, be themselves without pressure, and participate in fun, experiential workshops and activities that help them deal with the stresses of everyday life.
In addition to games, brief group discussions and free activity time, all participants will engage in two workshops that vary each time they attend the FORT, exploring expressive arts, mindfulness, nature or animal assisted therapy, and movement/physical activity.
All workshops are designed specifically to focus on building resilience through positive messaging and holistic experiences that allow participants to learn new tools and strategies that can be used in moments of heightened anxiety, stress or sadness.
The FORT schedule
Past participants: Online registration closes Thursday at 6 PM (walk-ins accepted).
New participants: Register and complete phone intake by Wednesday at 6pm before the FORT - registrations without an intake cannot attend.
Meet Our FORT Facilitators
Doreen Zebdi, MA
Hello Friends! I’m Doreen Zebdi, a movement specialist with a MA in Dance from American University where I studied modern dance. Are you ready to create and move at the Movement for Well-being Workshop? I’m so excited to share my passion for movement with you! Creative dance is one way you can express how you feel without words. Movement and dance have profound connections to mental health. The best part is that there is no right or wrong. When we move more, we simply feel more. That’s because dance offers a unique avenue for emotional expression, so you can convey feelings and experiences that you just can’t put into words. Have fun moving and dancing while you hear about all the ways dance can boost mental well-being. The way you feel in your head matters. Let’s use those feelings and create an expressive outlet through creative dance. Just Move! I studied modern dance and teaching techniques from American University. I also teach barre, cycle, strength and yoga classes through her company; UnFancyFitness. I am a certified ACE® Health and Fitness Coach and AFAA® Personal Trainer teaching virtual and in-person fitness classes and 1:1 health coaching.
Hello Friends! I’m Doreen Zebdi, a movement specialist with a MA in Dance from American University where I studied modern dance. Are you ready to create and move at the Movement for Well-being Workshop? I’m so excited to share my passion for movement with you! Creative dance is one way you can express how you feel without words. Movement and dance have profound connections to mental health. The best part is that there is no right or wrong. When we move more, we simply feel more. That’s because dance offers a unique avenue for emotional expression, so you can convey feelings and experiences that you just can’t put into words. Have fun moving and dancing while you hear about all the ways dance can boost mental well-being. The way you feel in your head matters. Let’s use those feelings and create an expressive outlet through creative dance. Just Move! I studied modern dance and teaching techniques from American University. I also teach barre, cycle, strength and yoga classes through her company; UnFancyFitness. I am a certified ACE® Health and Fitness Coach and AFAA® Personal Trainer teaching virtual and in-person fitness classes and 1:1 health coaching.
Nancy McGovern, MS, RYT-500 & C-IAYT
Hi, I’m Nancy! I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Certifications include RYT-500 & C-IAYT. I spent three years as the District Director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association before starting my first business, Dance To You. As owner, director, and primary instructor, Dance To You’s, Kids ‘N Motion program taught dance & tumbling in area preschools for 25+ years. In 2017, I became a certified yoga teacher and began to add yoga and mindfulness to the Kids ‘N Motion curriculum. In July of 2018, Dance To You was renamed Corner of the Sky. I spent many years as a performing artist. I danced and acted professionally and have been a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild for over 25 years. I taught creative movement in area preschools for 30 years. I love spending time with my husband and grown children. The beach in St. Augustine, Florida is my happy place.
Kirsten Shabanowitz, RYT-200
Hello my friends, I’m Kirsten, a yoga and meditation teacher for kids through adults. I am a big believer in the power of yoga for both our physical and mental health. Whether we are moving, meditating, breathing, journaling or getting out in nature it is all a part of yoga and can provide our minds with a sense of calm and clarity through regular practice. Yoga practices are all about connecting to yourself and keeping expectations far away! Just like we all learn differently and at different paces, our bodies move and act differently from one another’s and there is no need for comparison. My goal is to not only teach what yoga is, but also how to apply it to your daily life in a way that makes sense for you. You can take what works and leave behind what doesn’t. I invite you to bring a smile, your sense of humor, any questions you may have and I will see you on the mat!
Dave Edwards, LPC
Hi, my name is Dave Edwards. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and the owner/clinical director of Evolve Family Counseling and Sports Psychotherapy, a private group practice in Lansdowne, VA. I have been working with children and adolescents for 36 years and have been providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in the Northern Virginia region since 2015. I work with clients of all ages, but specialize in work with children, adolescents, and families, as well as all sports performance-related issues. I played soccer at the professional level in the U.K., and have coached professionally for over 36 years. I graduated with honors from the highly accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Marymount University in 2016.
Michael Kruczkowski (they/them)
Hello, my name is Michael Kruczkowski. I have been working in public education since 2015. Prior to serving LCPS in my current role as an Instructional Technology Facilitator, I taught middle school Visual Arts for ten years. I graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors in Art Education with concentrations in both Ceramics and Fiber Arts. I am also the music and technical director of the Lionheart Players, a middle school performing arts group. I love working with young creatives using both the visual and performing arts to express themselves and share their stories.
