About Us
Rooted exists to make the arts and therapeutic services accessible to every child and family across Tuscaloosa, regardless of ability or circumstance. We believe that when we show up in the most under-resourced corners of our community, the impact is transformative and generational.
Meet the Team
Rooted began with two moms who simply wanted to leave their children and their community stronger than they found it. What started as an adaptive dance class grew into a movement that weaves together the arts, therapeutic learning, and community. Our classes are backed by evidence-based theory and research informed practice.
We met as colleagues at The University of Alabama, dreaming of a world where every child could thrive. So we built one, filling the gaps our systems too often leave behind.
We believe every child deserves access to creativity, connection, and transformative love. We're not afraid to ask hard questions, challenge the status quo, and design programs that nurture growth from the inside out.
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Founder
Jessica is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She graduated with her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Alabama, where her project focused on integrating creative and body-focused modalities into trauma therapy, specifically rhythm and drumming.
Her current full-time position is as a program manager for VitAL Alabama, providing mental health awareness training to first responders across the state of Alabama. She previously worked as a therapist at the University of Alabama’s Women and Gender Resource Center, where she provided individual and group therapy to students, faculty, and staff survivors of interpersonal violence, and also has previous experience working in community mental health.
She is passionate about researching and finding new and creative methods for healing the mind and body. Her drive for this ministry comes from her son on the autism spectrum, and she desires every individual to feel known, loved, and capable of greatness.
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Founder
Liz brings a decade of experience in marketing and communications across both corporate and nonprofit spaces, including five years in the University of Alabama's Division of Student Life working alongside departments focused on student health and wellbeing.
She spent those same years building an adaptive dance program for children in the Tuscaloosa community which was the seed that eventually grew into Rooted.
Liz lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband and two daughters. Rooted was inspired by her nephew, Hayes - a beautiful, brilliant boy whose devastating diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy called her to build something that could hold families like his. Programs and services for every child who needs a little extra support.
