CCI held its 5th Annual THRIVE Conference in Silver Springs on a beautiful sunny morning at Silver Stage High School. This year’s conference had a record 135+ attendees from nonprofits, public agencies, and human service providers who enjoyed a half-day of networking, inspiration, and support for the rewarding and challenging work of serving our state’s most vulnerable citizens; in addition, 12+ agencies showcased their programs and services at the vendor tables . We heard from inspirational youth, adults, groups, and poets about how to work together to make a difference. Here was the letter from our Erik Schoen, CCI’s new Executive Director, that was in the event’s program:
A Love Letter to All of You –
When I told folks we were holding a statewide conference in Silver Springs, I invariably encountered quizzical looks and heard this question, “Why Silver Springs?”
To which I would reply, “Why not Silver Springs?”
Initially I replied out of a sense of righteous indignation, a feeling of protectiveness for all of rural Nevada, but especially Silver Springs, a community in which I have spent the better part of 20 years learning. As I thought more about it, I realized that folks were asking mostly from a place of innocent ignorance, and my question challenged a lot of preconceived notions folks have about rural Nevada.
I would argue that it is possible for a statewide conference to be held anywhere within the great state of Nevada. There is so much great work being done everywhere throughout this State. At the universities and community colleges in Reno and Las Vegas, this everybody knows. But also this: some of the most sophisticated community- and collaboration-building strategies being developed and used are those widely known to anyone who spends time in any of Nevada’s rural counties. One goal of this conference was for these best practices to be acknowledged and shared from rural to urban and back again, so that we can teach and learn from one another what is most effective.
As well, this day is a celebration of all you do, those who choose to be of service to their fellow men, women, and children. It is such a powerful choice and an affirmation that love matters. Thank you.
Community Chest staff member Farah Rashdan read her original poem “The Desert People”, honoring the people who serve, and the people we serve. Click here to read Farah’s poem.
Thank you to the Nevada Community Action Association
for its generous support of this year’s THRIVE Conference!
2017 Social Justice Superheroes unmasked!
CLICK HERE TO read about THIS YEAR’S
SOCIAL JUSTICE SUPERHEROES!
THRIVE Statewide Conference @Silver Stage High School
3755 Spruce Ave, Silver Springs, NV 89429
Conference Schedule:
8:00 Registration
9:00 Welcome by Edrie LaVoie, Conference Host
9:15 Why THRIVE? by Erik Schoen, Community Chest
9:30 Poetry Readings
9:45 Keynote Speaker – Lisa Lee, Northern Nevada HOPES
10:00 Focus on Collaboration: Why Youth?
Wendy Madson, Executive Director of the Healthy Communities Coalition, will lead a presentation and panel answering in the affirmative for deep and meaningful youth participation: Yes!
11:15 Focus on Collaboration #2: FASTT and MOST – not just acronyms
Jessica Flood, Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator, will lead a panel discussing their attempts to provide needed resources and better wrap-around services to those with mental health and substance use disorders.
12:00 Presentation of Social Justice Superhero Awards
12:30 Close by Erik Schoen
Community Chest 