Our Story
Experts in Safety
We bring over 15 years of combined training and expertise in self-defense, emergency preparedness, program development, and facilitation. We have collaborated with trauma survivors, mental health professionals, martial artists, personal trainers, social justice activists, corporate trainers, conflict resolution experts, disability rights activists, and emergency preparedness experts to create inclusive, comprehensive, and widely accessible safety and self-defense trainings. We specialize in individual and group safety and self-defense trainings that create a sense of safety and confidence, and we help individuals and businesses develop stronger, more staff-centered safety protocols. We work with businesses, corporations, non-profits, clubs, schools, event planners, parents, families, and others to create a safer culture for all.
People with Stories
We are trauma-survivors with lived experiences in what it feels like to question your safety. We have walked the path towards re-finding our voices and our strength. We have worked in places that had great safety considerations, and places that didn’t. We put into the practice the methods we teach and commit to building safety as a practice in our own lives. We love helping people reconnect to themselves and our favorite moments are when our students realize that they are strong and capable. We believe in the possibility of a safer world, not one devoid of risk, but a world where individuals trust in themselves and are supported by their communities.
Mission & Vision
Mission
Mission
Mission
We facilitate inclusive, trauma-informed safety and self-defense programs that inspire confidence, empowerment, and resilience in individuals at higher risk of violence, in order to cultivate stronger and more supportive communities.
Vision
Mission
Mission
We envision a safe world where everyone (no matter their age, ability level, gender, sexuality, race, religion, or other identifiers) can show up authentically, live expansively, and pursue their wildest dreams.
Meet the Founders
Kayla Berry (she/her)
Kayla Berry is a certified empowerment self-defense instructor with over 6 years of experience in teaching kids, teens, and adults of all abilities in safety, self-defense, and violence prevention. She has also undergone specialized training in various areas, including first aid, Colorado Mandatory Reporter certification, Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment Training, Community Emergency Response (CERT), Abuse Prevention (accredited by Safe Sport), and non-violent communication. On top of providing empowerment safety and self-defense trainings, Kayla works teaching emergency preparedness classes with the Denver Office of Emergency Management. Kayla is a rock climber, and has two cats (hopefully some dogs soon) and lots of plants! Her world feels better when she is surrounded by her friends or family and reintroducing hobbies that she used to love when she was young like guitar playing, writing, and traveling. She is on the constant journey to figure out how to explore the outdoors, which usually means lots of practice getting out of her comfort zone. She will gladly talk your ear off about plants, fantasy/sci-fi books, or self-defense.
Krista Hanley (she/her)
Krista Hanley is a writer, speaker, and violence prevention educator with over ten years of expertise facilitating programs in the areas of self-defense, trauma recovery, and embodiment. As a Columbine survivor, she brings her experience as a trauma survivor to the development of safety programs at We Are Safer Together. Some of her specialized certifications and trainings include: Empowerment Self-Defense Professional credential through the Association of ESD Professionals, Impact self-defense instructor and instructor-trainer certification, mental health first aid, Colorado mandatory reporter training, Community Emergency Response Team training (CERT), Trauma Informed Instructor certification, ALERRT Active Shooter Civilian Response, Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment Training, Adaptive Sport Abuse Prevention Trainer (accredited by Safe Sport), and non-violent communication training. Krista is an artist and a writer, expressing herself through her watercolors and words. She is an avid traveler and loves to explore how taking appropriate risks can help her grow. She is a fierce advocate for her loved ones and her community. She has a cat who she adores and who adores her. She makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (just ask anyone).
Contact Us
Have questions? Want to get signed up for a class or book a customized training? Contact us now!
We Are Safer Together
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