Dr. Lydia Woods, CEO of Drum Arizona who recently received the Peoria Independent Hometown Hero award in the “Spiritual Leader” category, is part of a team of professional care providers, artists and artisans who offer programs at Doing Grief Community Healing Project in Sun City.

She will facilitate drum circles at the Healing Project’s Sun City location, at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, 13049 N. 103rd Ave., Thursday, March 13. Native American style drumming will be at 12:30 p.m. and African Djembe drumming at 1:30 p.m. No experience is necessary and drums will be provided.

Deb Fleming, who attends Woods’ drum circles said, “When I saw her face on the healing project brochure, that smile of hers, I just had to meet her. She radiates love and joy.”

Woods brings levity to the healing process for those suffering losses related to death or any loss that causes grief. Through her nonprofit, Drum Arizona, Woods championed an effort to teach volunteers to make and paint Native American style drums to donate to youths who have experienced trauma. Recently Drum Arizona reached a milestone of gifting over 1,000 drums.

“The drum circles are life-giving,” Fleming added, “That beat goes through your whole body. It touches you, it changes you. I can’t wait to go back again.”

Other upcoming programs at Doing Grief Community Healing Project include:

• “Playing with Color: Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Painting” with educator Dr. Andrew Darian, 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27.
• A grief education workshop, “Doing Grief YOUR Way,” will be presented by grief theorist and Healing Project director Shea Darian noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Darian is the creator of the theoretical Model of Adaptive Grieving Dynamics and author of “Doing Grief in Real Life: A Soulful Guide to Navigate Loss, Death & Change.”

To RSVP, call Banner Olive Branch Senior Center at 623-465-6000 or email Connect@DoingGrief.org. A suggested donation of $5-10 can be given at the door or at DoingGrief.org. All are welcome regardless of an ability to pay.