Silver Springs, Nevada – This year’s free, statewide THRIVE Conference will be held at Silver Stage High School in Silver Springs on Friday, September 15th from 9 AM to 1 PM.
The THRIVE Conference showcases the deep, positive impact of humanitarian work happening in Nevada. Health and human services providers, educators, community volunteers, first responders, public service employees, nonprofit staff, and many others come together for this forum for education and networking. The free conference, which is intended for anyone who lives anywhere in Nevada, highlights the opportunities so many bring to our state through innovative multi-sector partnerships.
Speakers
The conference includes presentations on unusual and effective collaborative strategies that have potential for scaling and replicability, so attendees can take ideas back to their own workplaces and agencies.
* The conference’s keynote speaker will be Lisa Lee from Northern Nevada HOPES.
*Jessica Flood, Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator, will lead a panel on the changes being put in place to reduce recidivism and prevent issues that lead to incarceration of those experiencing mental health and behavioral health challenges. Lyon County Sheriff Al McNeil will be recognized for his part in advocating for a restorative justice approach in Lyon County.
*Wendy Madson, Executive Director of Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties, will lead a panel of youth leaders from the Lyon County region discussing the importance of including youth in collaborative community engagement efforts.
Award Winners Honored
As part of the conference agenda, this year’s “Social Justice Superheroes” will be honored. This year’s winners include Peggy Edwards of Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties, a community advocate who has worked tirelessly to increase access to mental health resources available for all ages. As well, May Hylton, an associate professor at the University of Nevada Reno, will be honored for creating a program at Hug High School to increase civic engagement so that students are ready to be future community leaders.
Shaun Griffin, executive director of Community Chest, explained that “social justice” is a term that simply means, “breathing life into the heart of what it means to be a community.” The honorees were chosen for going above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities places where everyone has a seat at the table. Both Peggy Edwards and May Hylton have inspired others to work toward a just and thriving future for their communities and everyone in it.
Sponsors
This year’s conference is funded, in part, by the Nevada Community Action Association, and sponsored by Community Chest, Lyon County, and Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties. The location is graciously provided by the Lyon County School District and Silver Stage High School. Previous THRIVE conferences, formerly called “Rural and Urban Nevada Social Justice Institutes”, were held in Reno, Las Vegas, and Silver Springs.
Continuing Education Credits
Attendees who wish to file for CEUs with their respective licensing boards can receive letters of attendance.
Cost
This is a completely free event, including healthy snacks.
Registration
To register, go to http://www.communitychestnevada.net. For more information, please contact Erik at (775) 847-9311, x102.
