Workshop Descriptions
African American Youth Ambassadors; Addressing Mental Health & Violence
Presenter(s): Kandee Lewis
Violence, abuse and trauma, doesn't look the same when looking through the lens of African American eyes, especially when it involves youth. Trauma can show up disguised as hunger, children acting out, low self-esteem, hyper-sexuality, substance abuse, or other ways trauma is manifested. These are also signs someone may be dealing with mental health issues.With COVID-19 came isolation, which felt to many as abandonment. In many cases, it resulted in victims and children being left with their abuser. We saw mental health decline across the board. However, when further examining the impact of violence on Black Youth, we saw a marked increase in depression and suicide attempts.
We'll discuss creating and facilitating community stakeholder focus groups to develop a culturally responsive, trauma and healing informed outreach and engagement curriculum for African American Youth for the Ambassadors Peer Advocate program, addressing Mental Health & Violence Awareness and Prevention.
Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Aligning with the Black Church to reduce Teen IPV in the Black Community
Presenter(s): Alicia Coulter
Using Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and Asset and Social Development Theory, this workshop will address Teen IPV within the Black Community and how it not only affects the survivor, but additionally affects the course of life events that can likely follow for victims, survivors, families, and perpetrators. We will also tackle the approach faith-based communities such as the Black Church Community appear to address teen violence/relational issues with abstinence-based programs. We will then discuss the type of work that needs to be done to bridge the gap and educate the community on the need to reduce Teen IPV in order to protect our children within the Black Community via the Black church (Bent-Goodley, 2009).Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bringing Margins to Center in HR and Finance Policies
Presenter(s): Yasi Safinya, Psy.D. & Melissa Guajardo
By breaking cycles of power and control that have emerged in our organizations we have the opportunity to recenter staff and survivors within our organizations. Hope you will join us for this conversation.
During this workshop, we will how systems of oppression have taken root within our HR and Finance practices. We aspire to bring participants together to collectively and critically examine common HR and Financial policies and practices through a Margins to Center Framework. And, together, we will identify ways to initiate and collaboratively create changes within these organizational systems.
This workshop will be conversational and collaborative. Participants' willingness to embrace productive discomfort will significantly enhance the richness and value of this workshop. Participants will leave the session with lessons and resources.
Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Closer to Freedom
Presenter(s): Ayana Wallace
This workshop seeks to examine the intersections of race, class, and gender and how racialized tropes have not only manifested but are perpetuated and continue to impact Black women survivors and advocates alike. Through dynamic and interactive discourse, we will explore strategies that will shift power and allow advocates to better meet survivors where they are; critique the ways in which advocacy becomes performative when staff of color, specifically Black women, experience inequity and micro-aggressions in the workplace and other safe spaces,; and examine the role of an intersectional approach in our work. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Engaging Men through Cultural and Intergenerational Strategies to End Harm
Presenter(s): Jerry Tello & Gregory Hodge
This workshop will outline the model and principles of Healing Generations, a multigenerational and culturally-rooted approach of supporting the development of young men to be persons of dignity, health, and character. Developed and implemented by National Compadres Network in partnership with the Brotherhood of Elders, the Healing Generations Framework promotes familial community healing and addresses persistent community strife through retreats, gatherings and the incorporation of indigenous culturally based practices. As a result of the inter‐generational healing, these communities coalesce a common voice that advocates for better health/educational outcomes for children, develop a unified stance against abuse of children and young people, create a strong voice against all forms of violence (familial and community), and leverage new resources from governmental and non‐governmental organizations to support these goals.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Healing from and preventing racial injustice and inequities in our DV field
Presenter(s): Nilda Valmores & Ann King
It's been a difficult few years for all, especially managers and staff dealing with the trauma caused from our work, from covid, and from the injustices against underserved communities in the past few years. This interactive workshop is intended to include a meaningful discussion between elder leaders and younger leaders about lessons learned from this intense period; and include concrete strategies and perspectives for going forward. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Increasing Survivor's Options with Culturally Specific Trainings
Presenter(s): Taylor Campion & Raquelle Myers
Survivors lack access to legal help and culturally appropriate services, both of which are vital to end survivor homelessness and domestic violence. Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) and National Indian Justice Center (NIJC) provide organizations serving survivors with culturally specific trainings on jurisdictional barriers faced by survivors of crime and abuse on tribal lands and survivors' housing and employment rights. Through their trainings FVAP and NIJC are working to increase the amount of robust culturally responsive services provided to Native American survivors throughout California. In this interactive workshop, FVAP and NIJC will discuss the importance of providing culturally specific trainings to a variety of service providers on a wide range of issues survivors' face. Additionally, they will facilitate an interactive discussion about helping survivors in every community gain meaningful access to comprehensive and culturally accessible services.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
IPV: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach in Working with Survivors
Presenter(s): Kathryn Hamel, PhD & Kevin Connors
Intimate partner violence (IPV), encompassing physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression, impacts approximately one in four women and one in seven men, according to the Center for Disease and Control. Furthermore, the societal impact of IPV is immeasurable and includes survivors who often experience physical and mental problems, including depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While primary prevention is key, stakeholders spanning a wide-range of interdisciplinary fields are responsible for the continuity of care in the wake of intimate partner violence victimization and the resulting interpersonal trauma that often ensues. This workshop will explore practical ways in which practitioners from law enforcement, county social services departments, victim advocates, mental health professionals, deputy district attorneys and other stakeholders can collaborate to shield against secondary victimization, while maximizing interpersonal trauma healing. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
One Love: A Film-Based, Youth-Centered Approach to Prevention
Presenter(s): Sheridan Riolo & Nicholas Kumar
In order to engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation, One Love's peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative framework help spread this conversation in all communities.
This workshop will give participants the knowledge to creatively access and leverage One Love's free educational content by learning more about our film-based curriculum, grounding in the understanding of consent and boundaries, and the common language of the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship. These ideas will be reinforced by understanding the innovative prevention-focused tools and support available when using One Love's resources to bring healthy relationship education to communities around the state.
Participants will also be invited to learn from a student leaders experience about best practices, and think critically about how to shift the focus to identify, support, and engage youth in this pivotal conversation. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Prevention Education and Culture Change through Youth Leadership
Presenter(s): Shael Norris & Chalina Morgan-Lopez
This presentation will focus on how adult allies can engage students as culture-changers and leaders in their schools and communities. Attendees will learn about how and why we began - during the creation of the Netflix film Audrie & Daisy - and our commitment to youth leadership and the combination of art and activism to engage young people as culture changers. Youth Outreach Manager, Chalina Morgan Lopez will speak about her personal evolution from local activist to national advocate and activist leader, and how this informs the development of our materials and our approach to survivor-centered programs and leadership. We will delve into our commitment to build our programs focused on the authentic and lived experiences of young survivors and our work to address the more taboo and nuanced issues young people face in person and online.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Restorative Work With Men Who Cause Harm Through Intimate Partner Violence
Presenter(s): Devon Gaster & Veronica Pollutro
Men Creating Peace (MCP) has an innovative approach to treating individuals who cause harm through Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) compared to traditional batterer's treatment programs or anger management classes. We encourage healing and forgiveness as opposed to a judgmental or punitive model. The primary goal of this workshop is to demonstrate how MCP's creative approach yields positive results and long-term behavior change in program participants thereby creating safer communities. In this workshop participants will gain understanding about MCP curriculum and our nurturing approach to restoring peace with our clients and their families. MCP uses restorative justice tenets through our Survivor Impact class that encourages behavior change and develops compassion and empathy. Finally, the workshop will share our approach to community engagement and prevention strategies. We plan to show a short video and engage participants in break out groups to discuss one or two vignettes. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rewriting the Narrative: Centering the Legacy of Black Women
Presenter(s): Ruth Kahssai & Shalisa Gladney
In this interactive workshop for organizations, community workers, and advocates, we'll explore the histories and legacies of Black women survivors and advocates as change-makers. Like most social justice movements, Black women have been at the forefront of DV work, advocacy, and change. Black women are also disproportionately affected by DV, IPV, and SA. This workshop is intended for those who want to begin or expand on centering and honoring Black women in their work, organizational mission, and organizational culture. Led by two Black women, this workshop will have interactive individual and group activities within the lenses of social justice, critical race theory, doula and healing work, self-reflection. Attendees can expect to leave with a small tool kit and further reflection points to take back to their organizations and for themselves. This workshop will not and cannot provide answers to centering Black women, but rather provide potential frameworks for this work.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Shifting to a Co-Directorship Leadership Model
Presenter(s): Mary Martinez & Jill Zawisza
After a fiscal crisis just over a decade ago, our team got to work, thoughtfully reimagining an organizational structure that honors the collective wisdom of all stakeholders and fosters long-term sustainability. As a first step to diffuse power from traditional executive leadership roles, we spent years co-developing and finalizing our Cultural Praxis which was completed in 2014. Four years later, we engaged in a six-month process of brainstorming and consensus-building - fleshing out our organizational DNA in our 2018 Theory of Change. This document, our North Star, outlined our mission, vision and strategies designed to ensure our work was grounded in justice, shared power and supportive of emerging leadership at all levels. As a continued embodiment of these visions and values, on July 1, 2021 WOMAN, Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership Model. Join us as we share the journey, and learn from you! How are other organizations sharing power and cultivating emerging leaders?Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Strategizing LGBTQIA+ Centered Work
Presenter(s): Liat Wexler
You already took LGBTQIA+ 101: the importance of pronouns and what all the letters mean. You understand that many of the experiences of queer and trans DV survivors are similar to cis straight women, while some dynamics, power tactics, and barriers are specific to having a marginalized gender identity and sexual orientation. Your organization wants to better serve queer and trans communities but hasn't been successful in doing so, or doesn't know where to start. Maybe you've even made some progress but still see some gaps. This session will primarily use small group breakouts to collaboratively answer key questions and strategize how to center queer and trans people in your organization. We will also spend some time discussing ways to support successful organizational change.Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the Criminalization of Immigrant Survivors
Presenter(s): Neda Said & Liyah Birru
This workshop will focus on understanding the criminalization of immigrant survivors, and how domestic violence advocates can better support this underserved community. We'll explore how our society demands survivors be the 'perfect victim', and how this bias also plays into the systems meant to support survivors. Participants will also build an understanding of the shared tactics and dynamics of abuse in the home and treatment from the criminal legal system, the different points of criminalization for survivors, and strategies for intervention at those various points. We'll also expand on some of the more common ways survivors experience criminalization: through coercion to do illegal acts, defending themselves, and failure to protect. Lastly, we'll share and build on ideas and strategies for supporting criminalized survivors, including removing barriers to access services and concrete ways to support currently incarcerated survivors.
Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Values & Cross-Movement Advocacy: A Case Study on Reimagining Public Safety
Presenter(s): Tunisia Owens & Nishara Gunasekara
This workshop will be a case study and exploration of organizational values and how those values show up in a campaign. Gender-based violence providers often work with law enforcement agencies, but may struggle with community engagement as a result of their work with law enforcement. This tension was highlighted and tested during the Summer of 2020 amidst the protests against police brutality and the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We will describe the Family Violence Law Center's: 1) internal process to address racial and gender realities, 2) external community organizing, and 3) political advocacy as part of Oakland's Reimagining Public Safety process. This campaign highlights the intersectionality of race, gender, and class issues within a city that is struggling with a homelessness and affordable housing crisis in the middle of a global pandemic. We will provide information on process, campaign wins, challenges, and questions to consider for a local policy campaign.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Violence Prevention Through Gaming: Lessons from Teen Minecraft Club
Presenter(s): Armando Ruiz
As youth educators, one of our biggest challenges is connecting with youth and keeping their interest. We know our curriculum and we can teach it, but can we explain it in a style that is appealing and engaging? A way that makes them interested and wanting more? Video games are the youth educators dream come true. Gaming introduces a whole new level of interactivity and moves prevention into digital spaces once secluded from reach. In this session you'll learn the power that gaming has to push prevention into the future. Minecraft has been used to successfully engage youth in violence prevention and you'll learn how to get started if you want to build gaming into your own work too.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Walls Turned Sideways: The Bridge Between Prevention and Juvenile Justice
Presenter(s): Tonjie Reese
A history of relationship abuse and sexual violence is a predictive factor of young people entering the criminal justice system. Once in the system, they may receive little support to heal from unaddressed abuse and trauma - putting them at greater risk for sexual abuse behind bars. Like adults, young people can be impacted by systemic oppression. By viewing prevention as a form of justice, we offer young people an opportunity to forgo the juvenile justice system and space to re-imagine alternative forms of justice. Through storytelling, dialogue, and media examples, this workshop will explore the adultifcation bias, intersectionality, the school to prison pipeline, and young people are most at risk. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Bringing Margins to Center in HR and Finance Policies
Presenter(s): Yasi Safinya, Psy.D. & Melissa Guajardo
By breaking cycles of power and control that have emerged in our organizations we have the opportunity to recenter staff and survivors within our organizations. Hope you will join us for this conversation.During this workshop, we will how systems of oppression have taken root within our HR and Finance practices. We aspire to bring participants together to collectively and critically examine common HR and Financial policies and practices through a Margins to Center Framework. And, together, we will identify ways to initiate and collaboratively create changes within these organizational systems.
This workshop will be conversational and collaborative. Participants' willingness to embrace productive discomfort will significantly enhance the richness and value of this workshop. Participants will leave the session with lessons and resources.
Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Closer to Freedom
Presenter(s): Ayana Wallace
This workshop seeks to examine the intersections of race, class, and gender and how racialized tropes have not only manifested but are perpetuated and continue to impact Black women survivors and advocates alike. Through dynamic and interactive discourse, we will explore strategies that will shift power and allow advocates to better meet survivors where they are; critique the ways in which advocacy becomes performative when staff of color, specifically Black women, experience inequity and micro-aggressions in the workplace and other safe spaces,; and examine the role of an intersectional approach in our work. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Engaging Men through Cultural and Intergenerational Strategies to End Harm
Presenter(s): Jerry Tello & Gregory Hodge
This workshop will outline the model and principles of Healing Generations, a multigenerational and culturally-rooted approach of supporting the development of young men to be persons of dignity, health, and character. Developed and implemented by National Compadres Network in partnership with the Brotherhood of Elders, the Healing Generations Framework promotes familial community healing and addresses persistent community strife through retreats, gatherings and the incorporation of indigenous culturally based practices. As a result of the inter‐generational healing, these communities coalesce a common voice that advocates for better health/educational outcomes for children, develop a unified stance against abuse of children and young people, create a strong voice against all forms of violence (familial and community), and leverage new resources from governmental and non‐governmental organizations to support these goals.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Healing from and preventing racial injustice and inequities in our DV field
Presenter(s): Nilda Valmores & Ann King
It's been a difficult few years for all, especially managers and staff dealing with the trauma caused from our work, from covid, and from the injustices against underserved communities in the past few years. This interactive workshop is intended to include a meaningful discussion between elder leaders and younger leaders about lessons learned from this intense period; and include concrete strategies and perspectives for going forward. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Increasing Survivor's Options with Culturally Specific Trainings
Presenter(s): Taylor Campion & Raquelle Myers
Survivors lack access to legal help and culturally appropriate services, both of which are vital to end survivor homelessness and domestic violence. Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) and National Indian Justice Center (NIJC) provide organizations serving survivors with culturally specific trainings on jurisdictional barriers faced by survivors of crime and abuse on tribal lands and survivors' housing and employment rights. Through their trainings FVAP and NIJC are working to increase the amount of robust culturally responsive services provided to Native American survivors throughout California. In this interactive workshop, FVAP and NIJC will discuss the importance of providing culturally specific trainings to a variety of service providers on a wide range of issues survivors' face. Additionally, they will facilitate an interactive discussion about helping survivors in every community gain meaningful access to comprehensive and culturally accessible services.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
IPV: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach in Working with Survivors
Presenter(s): Kathryn Hamel, PhD & Kevin Connors
Intimate partner violence (IPV), encompassing physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression, impacts approximately one in four women and one in seven men, according to the Center for Disease and Control. Furthermore, the societal impact of IPV is immeasurable and includes survivors who often experience physical and mental problems, including depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While primary prevention is key, stakeholders spanning a wide-range of interdisciplinary fields are responsible for the continuity of care in the wake of intimate partner violence victimization and the resulting interpersonal trauma that often ensues. This workshop will explore practical ways in which practitioners from law enforcement, county social services departments, victim advocates, mental health professionals, deputy district attorneys and other stakeholders can collaborate to shield against secondary victimization, while maximizing interpersonal trauma healing. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
One Love: A Film-Based, Youth-Centered Approach to Prevention
Presenter(s): Sheridan Riolo & Nicholas Kumar
In order to engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation, One Love's peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative framework help spread this conversation in all communities.
This workshop will give participants the knowledge to creatively access and leverage One Love's free educational content by learning more about our film-based curriculum, grounding in the understanding of consent and boundaries, and the common language of the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship. These ideas will be reinforced by understanding the innovative prevention-focused tools and support available when using One Love's resources to bring healthy relationship education to communities around the state.
Participants will also be invited to learn from a student leaders experience about best practices, and think critically about how to shift the focus to identify, support, and engage youth in this pivotal conversation. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Prevention Education and Culture Change through Youth Leadership
Presenter(s): Shael Norris & Chalina Morgan-Lopez
This presentation will focus on how adult allies can engage students as culture-changers and leaders in their schools and communities. Attendees will learn about how and why we began - during the creation of the Netflix film Audrie & Daisy - and our commitment to youth leadership and the combination of art and activism to engage young people as culture changers. Youth Outreach Manager, Chalina Morgan Lopez will speak about her personal evolution from local activist to national advocate and activist leader, and how this informs the development of our materials and our approach to survivor-centered programs and leadership. We will delve into our commitment to build our programs focused on the authentic and lived experiences of young survivors and our work to address the more taboo and nuanced issues young people face in person and online.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Restorative Work With Men Who Cause Harm Through Intimate Partner Violence
Presenter(s): Devon Gaster & Veronica Pollutro
Men Creating Peace (MCP) has an innovative approach to treating individuals who cause harm through Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) compared to traditional batterer's treatment programs or anger management classes. We encourage healing and forgiveness as opposed to a judgmental or punitive model. The primary goal of this workshop is to demonstrate how MCP's creative approach yields positive results and long-term behavior change in program participants thereby creating safer communities. In this workshop participants will gain understanding about MCP curriculum and our nurturing approach to restoring peace with our clients and their families. MCP uses restorative justice tenets through our Survivor Impact class that encourages behavior change and develops compassion and empathy. Finally, the workshop will share our approach to community engagement and prevention strategies. We plan to show a short video and engage participants in break out groups to discuss one or two vignettes. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rewriting the Narrative: Centering the Legacy of Black Women
Presenter(s): Ruth Kahssai & Shalisa Gladney
In this interactive workshop for organizations, community workers, and advocates, we'll explore the histories and legacies of Black women survivors and advocates as change-makers. Like most social justice movements, Black women have been at the forefront of DV work, advocacy, and change. Black women are also disproportionately affected by DV, IPV, and SA. This workshop is intended for those who want to begin or expand on centering and honoring Black women in their work, organizational mission, and organizational culture. Led by two Black women, this workshop will have interactive individual and group activities within the lenses of social justice, critical race theory, doula and healing work, self-reflection. Attendees can expect to leave with a small tool kit and further reflection points to take back to their organizations and for themselves. This workshop will not and cannot provide answers to centering Black women, but rather provide potential frameworks for this work.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Shifting to a Co-Directorship Leadership Model
Presenter(s): Mary Martinez & Jill Zawisza
After a fiscal crisis just over a decade ago, our team got to work, thoughtfully reimagining an organizational structure that honors the collective wisdom of all stakeholders and fosters long-term sustainability. As a first step to diffuse power from traditional executive leadership roles, we spent years co-developing and finalizing our Cultural Praxis which was completed in 2014. Four years later, we engaged in a six-month process of brainstorming and consensus-building - fleshing out our organizational DNA in our 2018 Theory of Change. This document, our North Star, outlined our mission, vision and strategies designed to ensure our work was grounded in justice, shared power and supportive of emerging leadership at all levels. As a continued embodiment of these visions and values, on July 1, 2021 WOMAN, Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership Model. Join us as we share the journey, and learn from you! How are other organizations sharing power and cultivating emerging leaders?Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Strategizing LGBTQIA+ Centered Work
Presenter(s): Liat Wexler
You already took LGBTQIA+ 101: the importance of pronouns and what all the letters mean. You understand that many of the experiences of queer and trans DV survivors are similar to cis straight women, while some dynamics, power tactics, and barriers are specific to having a marginalized gender identity and sexual orientation. Your organization wants to better serve queer and trans communities but hasn't been successful in doing so, or doesn't know where to start. Maybe you've even made some progress but still see some gaps. This session will primarily use small group breakouts to collaboratively answer key questions and strategize how to center queer and trans people in your organization. We will also spend some time discussing ways to support successful organizational change.Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the Criminalization of Immigrant Survivors
Presenter(s): Neda Said & Liyah Birru
This workshop will focus on understanding the criminalization of immigrant survivors, and how domestic violence advocates can better support this underserved community. We'll explore how our society demands survivors be the 'perfect victim', and how this bias also plays into the systems meant to support survivors. Participants will also build an understanding of the shared tactics and dynamics of abuse in the home and treatment from the criminal legal system, the different points of criminalization for survivors, and strategies for intervention at those various points. We'll also expand on some of the more common ways survivors experience criminalization: through coercion to do illegal acts, defending themselves, and failure to protect. Lastly, we'll share and build on ideas and strategies for supporting criminalized survivors, including removing barriers to access services and concrete ways to support currently incarcerated survivors.
Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Values & Cross-Movement Advocacy: A Case Study on Reimagining Public Safety
Presenter(s): Tunisia Owens & Nishara Gunasekara
This workshop will be a case study and exploration of organizational values and how those values show up in a campaign. Gender-based violence providers often work with law enforcement agencies, but may struggle with community engagement as a result of their work with law enforcement. This tension was highlighted and tested during the Summer of 2020 amidst the protests against police brutality and the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We will describe the Family Violence Law Center's: 1) internal process to address racial and gender realities, 2) external community organizing, and 3) political advocacy as part of Oakland's Reimagining Public Safety process. This campaign highlights the intersectionality of race, gender, and class issues within a city that is struggling with a homelessness and affordable housing crisis in the middle of a global pandemic. We will provide information on process, campaign wins, challenges, and questions to consider for a local policy campaign.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Violence Prevention Through Gaming: Lessons from Teen Minecraft Club
Presenter(s): Armando Ruiz
As youth educators, one of our biggest challenges is connecting with youth and keeping their interest. We know our curriculum and we can teach it, but can we explain it in a style that is appealing and engaging? A way that makes them interested and wanting more? Video games are the youth educators dream come true. Gaming introduces a whole new level of interactivity and moves prevention into digital spaces once secluded from reach. In this session you'll learn the power that gaming has to push prevention into the future. Minecraft has been used to successfully engage youth in violence prevention and you'll learn how to get started if you want to build gaming into your own work too.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Walls Turned Sideways: The Bridge Between Prevention and Juvenile Justice
Presenter(s): Tonjie Reese
A history of relationship abuse and sexual violence is a predictive factor of young people entering the criminal justice system. Once in the system, they may receive little support to heal from unaddressed abuse and trauma - putting them at greater risk for sexual abuse behind bars. Like adults, young people can be impacted by systemic oppression. By viewing prevention as a form of justice, we offer young people an opportunity to forgo the juvenile justice system and space to re-imagine alternative forms of justice. Through storytelling, dialogue, and media examples, this workshop will explore the adultifcation bias, intersectionality, the school to prison pipeline, and young people are most at risk. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Engaging Men through Cultural and Intergenerational Strategies to End Harm
Presenter(s): Jerry Tello & Gregory Hodge
This workshop will outline the model and principles of Healing Generations, a multigenerational and culturally-rooted approach of supporting the development of young men to be persons of dignity, health, and character. Developed and implemented by National Compadres Network in partnership with the Brotherhood of Elders, the Healing Generations Framework promotes familial community healing and addresses persistent community strife through retreats, gatherings and the incorporation of indigenous culturally based practices. As a result of the inter‐generational healing, these communities coalesce a common voice that advocates for better health/educational outcomes for children, develop a unified stance against abuse of children and young people, create a strong voice against all forms of violence (familial and community), and leverage new resources from governmental and non‐governmental organizations to support these goals.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Healing from and preventing racial injustice and inequities in our DV field
Presenter(s): Nilda Valmores & Ann King
It's been a difficult few years for all, especially managers and staff dealing with the trauma caused from our work, from covid, and from the injustices against underserved communities in the past few years. This interactive workshop is intended to include a meaningful discussion between elder leaders and younger leaders about lessons learned from this intense period; and include concrete strategies and perspectives for going forward. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Increasing Survivor's Options with Culturally Specific Trainings
Presenter(s): Taylor Campion & Raquelle Myers
Survivors lack access to legal help and culturally appropriate services, both of which are vital to end survivor homelessness and domestic violence. Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) and National Indian Justice Center (NIJC) provide organizations serving survivors with culturally specific trainings on jurisdictional barriers faced by survivors of crime and abuse on tribal lands and survivors' housing and employment rights. Through their trainings FVAP and NIJC are working to increase the amount of robust culturally responsive services provided to Native American survivors throughout California. In this interactive workshop, FVAP and NIJC will discuss the importance of providing culturally specific trainings to a variety of service providers on a wide range of issues survivors' face. Additionally, they will facilitate an interactive discussion about helping survivors in every community gain meaningful access to comprehensive and culturally accessible services.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
IPV: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach in Working with Survivors
Presenter(s): Kathryn Hamel, PhD & Kevin Connors
Intimate partner violence (IPV), encompassing physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression, impacts approximately one in four women and one in seven men, according to the Center for Disease and Control. Furthermore, the societal impact of IPV is immeasurable and includes survivors who often experience physical and mental problems, including depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While primary prevention is key, stakeholders spanning a wide-range of interdisciplinary fields are responsible for the continuity of care in the wake of intimate partner violence victimization and the resulting interpersonal trauma that often ensues. This workshop will explore practical ways in which practitioners from law enforcement, county social services departments, victim advocates, mental health professionals, deputy district attorneys and other stakeholders can collaborate to shield against secondary victimization, while maximizing interpersonal trauma healing. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
One Love: A Film-Based, Youth-Centered Approach to Prevention
Presenter(s): Sheridan Riolo & Nicholas Kumar
In order to engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation, One Love's peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative framework help spread this conversation in all communities.
This workshop will give participants the knowledge to creatively access and leverage One Love's free educational content by learning more about our film-based curriculum, grounding in the understanding of consent and boundaries, and the common language of the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship. These ideas will be reinforced by understanding the innovative prevention-focused tools and support available when using One Love's resources to bring healthy relationship education to communities around the state.
Participants will also be invited to learn from a student leaders experience about best practices, and think critically about how to shift the focus to identify, support, and engage youth in this pivotal conversation. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Prevention Education and Culture Change through Youth Leadership
Presenter(s): Shael Norris & Chalina Morgan-Lopez
This presentation will focus on how adult allies can engage students as culture-changers and leaders in their schools and communities. Attendees will learn about how and why we began - during the creation of the Netflix film Audrie & Daisy - and our commitment to youth leadership and the combination of art and activism to engage young people as culture changers. Youth Outreach Manager, Chalina Morgan Lopez will speak about her personal evolution from local activist to national advocate and activist leader, and how this informs the development of our materials and our approach to survivor-centered programs and leadership. We will delve into our commitment to build our programs focused on the authentic and lived experiences of young survivors and our work to address the more taboo and nuanced issues young people face in person and online.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Restorative Work With Men Who Cause Harm Through Intimate Partner Violence
Presenter(s): Devon Gaster & Veronica Pollutro
Men Creating Peace (MCP) has an innovative approach to treating individuals who cause harm through Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) compared to traditional batterer's treatment programs or anger management classes. We encourage healing and forgiveness as opposed to a judgmental or punitive model. The primary goal of this workshop is to demonstrate how MCP's creative approach yields positive results and long-term behavior change in program participants thereby creating safer communities. In this workshop participants will gain understanding about MCP curriculum and our nurturing approach to restoring peace with our clients and their families. MCP uses restorative justice tenets through our Survivor Impact class that encourages behavior change and develops compassion and empathy. Finally, the workshop will share our approach to community engagement and prevention strategies. We plan to show a short video and engage participants in break out groups to discuss one or two vignettes. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rewriting the Narrative: Centering the Legacy of Black Women
Presenter(s): Ruth Kahssai & Shalisa Gladney
In this interactive workshop for organizations, community workers, and advocates, we'll explore the histories and legacies of Black women survivors and advocates as change-makers. Like most social justice movements, Black women have been at the forefront of DV work, advocacy, and change. Black women are also disproportionately affected by DV, IPV, and SA. This workshop is intended for those who want to begin or expand on centering and honoring Black women in their work, organizational mission, and organizational culture. Led by two Black women, this workshop will have interactive individual and group activities within the lenses of social justice, critical race theory, doula and healing work, self-reflection. Attendees can expect to leave with a small tool kit and further reflection points to take back to their organizations and for themselves. This workshop will not and cannot provide answers to centering Black women, but rather provide potential frameworks for this work.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Shifting to a Co-Directorship Leadership Model
Presenter(s): Mary Martinez & Jill Zawisza
After a fiscal crisis just over a decade ago, our team got to work, thoughtfully reimagining an organizational structure that honors the collective wisdom of all stakeholders and fosters long-term sustainability. As a first step to diffuse power from traditional executive leadership roles, we spent years co-developing and finalizing our Cultural Praxis which was completed in 2014. Four years later, we engaged in a six-month process of brainstorming and consensus-building - fleshing out our organizational DNA in our 2018 Theory of Change. This document, our North Star, outlined our mission, vision and strategies designed to ensure our work was grounded in justice, shared power and supportive of emerging leadership at all levels. As a continued embodiment of these visions and values, on July 1, 2021 WOMAN, Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership Model. Join us as we share the journey, and learn from you! How are other organizations sharing power and cultivating emerging leaders?Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Strategizing LGBTQIA+ Centered Work
Presenter(s): Liat Wexler
You already took LGBTQIA+ 101: the importance of pronouns and what all the letters mean. You understand that many of the experiences of queer and trans DV survivors are similar to cis straight women, while some dynamics, power tactics, and barriers are specific to having a marginalized gender identity and sexual orientation. Your organization wants to better serve queer and trans communities but hasn't been successful in doing so, or doesn't know where to start. Maybe you've even made some progress but still see some gaps. This session will primarily use small group breakouts to collaboratively answer key questions and strategize how to center queer and trans people in your organization. We will also spend some time discussing ways to support successful organizational change.Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the Criminalization of Immigrant Survivors
Presenter(s): Neda Said & Liyah Birru
This workshop will focus on understanding the criminalization of immigrant survivors, and how domestic violence advocates can better support this underserved community. We'll explore how our society demands survivors be the 'perfect victim', and how this bias also plays into the systems meant to support survivors. Participants will also build an understanding of the shared tactics and dynamics of abuse in the home and treatment from the criminal legal system, the different points of criminalization for survivors, and strategies for intervention at those various points. We'll also expand on some of the more common ways survivors experience criminalization: through coercion to do illegal acts, defending themselves, and failure to protect. Lastly, we'll share and build on ideas and strategies for supporting criminalized survivors, including removing barriers to access services and concrete ways to support currently incarcerated survivors.
Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Values & Cross-Movement Advocacy: A Case Study on Reimagining Public Safety
Presenter(s): Tunisia Owens & Nishara Gunasekara
This workshop will be a case study and exploration of organizational values and how those values show up in a campaign. Gender-based violence providers often work with law enforcement agencies, but may struggle with community engagement as a result of their work with law enforcement. This tension was highlighted and tested during the Summer of 2020 amidst the protests against police brutality and the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We will describe the Family Violence Law Center's: 1) internal process to address racial and gender realities, 2) external community organizing, and 3) political advocacy as part of Oakland's Reimagining Public Safety process. This campaign highlights the intersectionality of race, gender, and class issues within a city that is struggling with a homelessness and affordable housing crisis in the middle of a global pandemic. We will provide information on process, campaign wins, challenges, and questions to consider for a local policy campaign.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Violence Prevention Through Gaming: Lessons from Teen Minecraft Club
Presenter(s): Armando Ruiz
As youth educators, one of our biggest challenges is connecting with youth and keeping their interest. We know our curriculum and we can teach it, but can we explain it in a style that is appealing and engaging? A way that makes them interested and wanting more? Video games are the youth educators dream come true. Gaming introduces a whole new level of interactivity and moves prevention into digital spaces once secluded from reach. In this session you'll learn the power that gaming has to push prevention into the future. Minecraft has been used to successfully engage youth in violence prevention and you'll learn how to get started if you want to build gaming into your own work too.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Walls Turned Sideways: The Bridge Between Prevention and Juvenile Justice
Presenter(s): Tonjie Reese
A history of relationship abuse and sexual violence is a predictive factor of young people entering the criminal justice system. Once in the system, they may receive little support to heal from unaddressed abuse and trauma - putting them at greater risk for sexual abuse behind bars. Like adults, young people can be impacted by systemic oppression. By viewing prevention as a form of justice, we offer young people an opportunity to forgo the juvenile justice system and space to re-imagine alternative forms of justice. Through storytelling, dialogue, and media examples, this workshop will explore the adultifcation bias, intersectionality, the school to prison pipeline, and young people are most at risk. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Increasing Survivor's Options with Culturally Specific Trainings
Presenter(s): Taylor Campion & Raquelle Myers
Survivors lack access to legal help and culturally appropriate services, both of which are vital to end survivor homelessness and domestic violence. Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) and National Indian Justice Center (NIJC) provide organizations serving survivors with culturally specific trainings on jurisdictional barriers faced by survivors of crime and abuse on tribal lands and survivors' housing and employment rights. Through their trainings FVAP and NIJC are working to increase the amount of robust culturally responsive services provided to Native American survivors throughout California. In this interactive workshop, FVAP and NIJC will discuss the importance of providing culturally specific trainings to a variety of service providers on a wide range of issues survivors' face. Additionally, they will facilitate an interactive discussion about helping survivors in every community gain meaningful access to comprehensive and culturally accessible services.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
IPV: A Law Enforcement and Clinical Approach in Working with Survivors
Presenter(s): Kathryn Hamel, PhD & Kevin Connors
Intimate partner violence (IPV), encompassing physical and sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression, impacts approximately one in four women and one in seven men, according to the Center for Disease and Control. Furthermore, the societal impact of IPV is immeasurable and includes survivors who often experience physical and mental problems, including depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While primary prevention is key, stakeholders spanning a wide-range of interdisciplinary fields are responsible for the continuity of care in the wake of intimate partner violence victimization and the resulting interpersonal trauma that often ensues. This workshop will explore practical ways in which practitioners from law enforcement, county social services departments, victim advocates, mental health professionals, deputy district attorneys and other stakeholders can collaborate to shield against secondary victimization, while maximizing interpersonal trauma healing. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
One Love: A Film-Based, Youth-Centered Approach to Prevention
Presenter(s): Sheridan Riolo & Nicholas Kumar
In order to engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation, One Love's peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative framework help spread this conversation in all communities.
This workshop will give participants the knowledge to creatively access and leverage One Love's free educational content by learning more about our film-based curriculum, grounding in the understanding of consent and boundaries, and the common language of the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship. These ideas will be reinforced by understanding the innovative prevention-focused tools and support available when using One Love's resources to bring healthy relationship education to communities around the state.
Participants will also be invited to learn from a student leaders experience about best practices, and think critically about how to shift the focus to identify, support, and engage youth in this pivotal conversation. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Prevention Education and Culture Change through Youth Leadership
Presenter(s): Shael Norris & Chalina Morgan-Lopez
This presentation will focus on how adult allies can engage students as culture-changers and leaders in their schools and communities. Attendees will learn about how and why we began - during the creation of the Netflix film Audrie & Daisy - and our commitment to youth leadership and the combination of art and activism to engage young people as culture changers. Youth Outreach Manager, Chalina Morgan Lopez will speak about her personal evolution from local activist to national advocate and activist leader, and how this informs the development of our materials and our approach to survivor-centered programs and leadership. We will delve into our commitment to build our programs focused on the authentic and lived experiences of young survivors and our work to address the more taboo and nuanced issues young people face in person and online.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Restorative Work With Men Who Cause Harm Through Intimate Partner Violence
Presenter(s): Devon Gaster & Veronica Pollutro
Men Creating Peace (MCP) has an innovative approach to treating individuals who cause harm through Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) compared to traditional batterer's treatment programs or anger management classes. We encourage healing and forgiveness as opposed to a judgmental or punitive model. The primary goal of this workshop is to demonstrate how MCP's creative approach yields positive results and long-term behavior change in program participants thereby creating safer communities. In this workshop participants will gain understanding about MCP curriculum and our nurturing approach to restoring peace with our clients and their families. MCP uses restorative justice tenets through our Survivor Impact class that encourages behavior change and develops compassion and empathy. Finally, the workshop will share our approach to community engagement and prevention strategies. We plan to show a short video and engage participants in break out groups to discuss one or two vignettes. Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rewriting the Narrative: Centering the Legacy of Black Women
Presenter(s): Ruth Kahssai & Shalisa Gladney
In this interactive workshop for organizations, community workers, and advocates, we'll explore the histories and legacies of Black women survivors and advocates as change-makers. Like most social justice movements, Black women have been at the forefront of DV work, advocacy, and change. Black women are also disproportionately affected by DV, IPV, and SA. This workshop is intended for those who want to begin or expand on centering and honoring Black women in their work, organizational mission, and organizational culture. Led by two Black women, this workshop will have interactive individual and group activities within the lenses of social justice, critical race theory, doula and healing work, self-reflection. Attendees can expect to leave with a small tool kit and further reflection points to take back to their organizations and for themselves. This workshop will not and cannot provide answers to centering Black women, but rather provide potential frameworks for this work.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Shifting to a Co-Directorship Leadership Model
Presenter(s): Mary Martinez & Jill Zawisza
After a fiscal crisis just over a decade ago, our team got to work, thoughtfully reimagining an organizational structure that honors the collective wisdom of all stakeholders and fosters long-term sustainability. As a first step to diffuse power from traditional executive leadership roles, we spent years co-developing and finalizing our Cultural Praxis which was completed in 2014. Four years later, we engaged in a six-month process of brainstorming and consensus-building - fleshing out our organizational DNA in our 2018 Theory of Change. This document, our North Star, outlined our mission, vision and strategies designed to ensure our work was grounded in justice, shared power and supportive of emerging leadership at all levels. As a continued embodiment of these visions and values, on July 1, 2021 WOMAN, Inc. transitioned into a Co-Director Leadership Model. Join us as we share the journey, and learn from you! How are other organizations sharing power and cultivating emerging leaders?Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Strategizing LGBTQIA+ Centered Work
Presenter(s): Liat Wexler
You already took LGBTQIA+ 101: the importance of pronouns and what all the letters mean. You understand that many of the experiences of queer and trans DV survivors are similar to cis straight women, while some dynamics, power tactics, and barriers are specific to having a marginalized gender identity and sexual orientation. Your organization wants to better serve queer and trans communities but hasn't been successful in doing so, or doesn't know where to start. Maybe you've even made some progress but still see some gaps. This session will primarily use small group breakouts to collaboratively answer key questions and strategize how to center queer and trans people in your organization. We will also spend some time discussing ways to support successful organizational change.Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Understanding the Criminalization of Immigrant Survivors
Presenter(s): Neda Said & Liyah Birru
This workshop will focus on understanding the criminalization of immigrant survivors, and how domestic violence advocates can better support this underserved community. We'll explore how our society demands survivors be the 'perfect victim', and how this bias also plays into the systems meant to support survivors. Participants will also build an understanding of the shared tactics and dynamics of abuse in the home and treatment from the criminal legal system, the different points of criminalization for survivors, and strategies for intervention at those various points. We'll also expand on some of the more common ways survivors experience criminalization: through coercion to do illegal acts, defending themselves, and failure to protect. Lastly, we'll share and build on ideas and strategies for supporting criminalized survivors, including removing barriers to access services and concrete ways to support currently incarcerated survivors.
Workshop level: Advanced
Theme: Is Our Work Transformative?
Monday, November 1st - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Values & Cross-Movement Advocacy: A Case Study on Reimagining Public Safety
Presenter(s): Tunisia Owens & Nishara Gunasekara
This workshop will be a case study and exploration of organizational values and how those values show up in a campaign. Gender-based violence providers often work with law enforcement agencies, but may struggle with community engagement as a result of their work with law enforcement. This tension was highlighted and tested during the Summer of 2020 amidst the protests against police brutality and the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. We will describe the Family Violence Law Center's: 1) internal process to address racial and gender realities, 2) external community organizing, and 3) political advocacy as part of Oakland's Reimagining Public Safety process. This campaign highlights the intersectionality of race, gender, and class issues within a city that is struggling with a homelessness and affordable housing crisis in the middle of a global pandemic. We will provide information on process, campaign wins, challenges, and questions to consider for a local policy campaign.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Violence Prevention Through Gaming: Lessons from Teen Minecraft Club
Presenter(s): Armando Ruiz
As youth educators, one of our biggest challenges is connecting with youth and keeping their interest. We know our curriculum and we can teach it, but can we explain it in a style that is appealing and engaging? A way that makes them interested and wanting more? Video games are the youth educators dream come true. Gaming introduces a whole new level of interactivity and moves prevention into digital spaces once secluded from reach. In this session you'll learn the power that gaming has to push prevention into the future. Minecraft has been used to successfully engage youth in violence prevention and you'll learn how to get started if you want to build gaming into your own work too.Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Moving from Trauma to Healing
Wednesday, November 3rd - 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Walls Turned Sideways: The Bridge Between Prevention and Juvenile Justice
Presenter(s): Tonjie Reese
A history of relationship abuse and sexual violence is a predictive factor of young people entering the criminal justice system. Once in the system, they may receive little support to heal from unaddressed abuse and trauma - putting them at greater risk for sexual abuse behind bars. Like adults, young people can be impacted by systemic oppression. By viewing prevention as a form of justice, we offer young people an opportunity to forgo the juvenile justice system and space to re-imagine alternative forms of justice. Through storytelling, dialogue, and media examples, this workshop will explore the adultifcation bias, intersectionality, the school to prison pipeline, and young people are most at risk. Workshop level: Introductory
Theme: Youth Stand and Be Heard!
Tuesday, November 2nd - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
One Love: A Film-Based, Youth-Centered Approach to Prevention
Presenter(s): Sheridan Riolo & Nicholas Kumar
In order to engage young people with powerful films and honest conversation, One Love's peer-to-peer discussions and collaborative framework help spread this conversation in all communities.This workshop will give participants the knowledge to creatively access and leverage One Love's free educational content by learning more about our film-based curriculum, grounding in the understanding of consent and boundaries, and the common language of the 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationship. These ideas will be reinforced by understanding the innovative prevention-focused tools and support available when using One Love's resources to bring healthy relationship education to communities around the state.
Participants will also be invited to learn from a student leaders experience about best practices, and think critically about how to shift the focus to identify, support, and engage youth in this pivotal conversation.
