#RiseTogether
Join us for our third annual Rise Conference! Our focus this year is to celebrate the power of community. Recognizing the value that individuals bring to their community helps to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment to make a difference. Join us as we encourage participants to reconnect with their community and learn how to lift others up in the process.
Registration is NOW OPEN! Sign up below!
Introducing Our Keynote Speakers
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Kristi Wiley
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Kristi Wiley, MFA is the Vice President of Programs for The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation in Fort Worth, TX. Kristi is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certified and has trained more than 12,000 people to be gatekeepers and recognize the warning signs for suicide. She is also a Hope Squad Master Trainer, training under Dr. Greg Hudnall, Founder of Hope Squad. Kristi currently provides program and implementation support for 120 Hope Squad campuses across 23 districts in North Texas.
A mental health advocate with lived experience, suicide loss survivor, and adept in her field, Kristi has been asked to speak locally and nationally on suicide prevention and the power of QPR. Most recently, she was a panel presenter for the 5th Annual Women’s Cardiovascular & Brain Health Symposium, panelist for the 4th Annual Advancing Behavioral Health Collaboratives Summit, Strong Schools: Advancing Student Wellness and Resiliency in Texas, and speaker for the REMOTE K12 Conference held by Arizona State University. You can also hear her on podcasts and tv/radio stations across North Texas discussing the need for suicide prevention and offering education on what anyone can do to save a life from suicide.
Trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), SAMA De-Escalation, ASIST, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and Mental Health First Aid, Kristi understands the necessity of continuing education and the importance of knowing the most up-to-date modalities in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
When she isn’t working, Kristi enjoys going to the theater, reading and Taco Tuesday. Her coolest title, however, is Mommy to her amazing daughter, Layla Jan.
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Angel Ayala
SUBSTANCE USE AND FAMILY
Angel earned his master’s degree in counseling psychology from Tarleton State University and holds licenses as a Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor. Formerly the president of Fort Worth TAAP (Texas Association of Addiction Professionals), Angel authored the Addiction Support book and regularly presents at state and local conferences. A dedicated advocate for mental health and addiction recovery, Angel, a proud United States Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is committed to dispelling stigma and promoting lifelong learning in his field.
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Cheyanne Davis
DEFINING TOGETHER
Cheyanne Davis is on staff at Pathway Church as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation where she has been a minister since 2015. She has a passion for seeing people freed from their self-made prisons and loves to sit with people in the trenches during the dark moments of their lives. God uses Cheyanne to equip and mobilize children and adults in their faith development through classes, groups, and a variety of speaking engagements. She specializes in serving addicts, those who are struggling with mental health, and people experiencing grief. Her desire is for everyone to know they belong and their story matters. Cheyanne owns a small business with her husband where she serves as the Vice President of Vision and Strategy Dynamic Graphics.
Above all, she is a wife, mom, pastor, business owner, sinner saved by grace who carries herself with consistency in all of these areas.
Conference Schedule
8:00am: Doors Open - Registration and Refreshments
9:00am: Opening Remarks
9:10am - 9:55am: Speaker Kristi Wiley presents The Power of Community
9:55am - 10:10am: BREAK
10:10am - 10:55am: Speaker Angel Ayala presents Substance Use and Family
10:55am - 11:05am: BREAK
11:05am - 11:50am: Breakout Session 1
11:50am - 1:00pm: LUNCH
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Breakout Session 2
1:45pm - 2:00pm: BREAK
2:00pm - 2:45pm: Breakout Session 3
2:45pm - 3:00pm: BREAK
3:00pm - 4:00pm: Speaker Cheyenne Davis presents Defining Together
Adult Breakout Sessions
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Coping with Anxiety
We all experience feelings of anxiety throughout our lives. While some are able to overcome these feelings with ease, others may need help learning how to use positive coping skills to manage their anxiety. This session will discuss an overview of anxiety, positive coping skills, and offer resources.
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Making Friends as Adults
As we get older, it becomes increasingly harder to make friends. 1 in 3 people report feeling isolated and/or lonely. This session explores ways to increase feelings of connection as an adult by pursuing hobbies, joining groups, volunteering, etc. Barriers of socialization should also be addressed (ie: not enough time, shy/reserved, etc.), along with ways to overcome these barriers.
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Agree to Disagree
There are a few things we have been conditioned to not talk about - politics, religion, money, etc. Rather than labeling these topics as taboo, we should learn how to have meaningful conversations to gather a deeper understanding of one another. This session will remind us to listen empathetically and learn how to disagree in a healthy way, as well as offer conflict resolution tips.
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Building the Parent/Child Relationship
This session will give parents information on how to establish an open-line of communication with their children, reminding them of the importance of being empathetic and understanding of their child's needs. It may also cover creating healthy boundaries, setting appropriate consequences and expectations, and more.
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Managing Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a personality trait that involves setting high standards for oneself and others, often striving for flawlessness. This session should focus on learning how to manage that perfectionism by setting realistic goals, accepting mistakes, acknowledging positive traits, etc.
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Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
Being a caregiver can be an overwhelming task and is vital to the wellbeing of the ones we love. We may, at times, also begin to neglect ourselves in this process. Finding balance with your wellbeing and your loved one's care can be a pivotal part our continued ability to provide the level of day-to-day care needed. Please join us in discussing the stressors of caregiving and exploring ways we can engage in self-care to help prevent burnout.
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Cultivating Serenity: A calming Garden Experience
Explore the art of creating and experiencing a calm garden. In this interactive and meditative class we will create a small calm garden to reduce stress increase calmness in your life. A wonderful way to share the serenity of a peaceful garden with others.
Youth Breakout Sessions
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Mindfulness Exercise
Join us for an engaging, hands-on session where we will explore stressors and healthy coping skills. We will also discuss the Circle of Control, where we will be able to visualize the stressors that are in our control and those out of our control. This session also includes time to interact with the group and a take-home bag of supplies.
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Suicide Awareness: QPR
Question, Persuade, and Refer: This session will cover warning signs, steps of action, and where to get help if you suspect someone is contemplating or having thoughts of suicide. This session will cover QPR from a youth's perspective.
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Inside Out, Upside Down
Emotions. They make up our days, weeks, months, lifetimes. Have you ever wondered, “What is this feeling and do I need it, or why do I need it?”, or “Is this feeling normal?” Well, not to worry. You are not alone. Come learn about emotions-the good, the bad, the ugly-and why we need them all! No emotion is a bad emotion. Going through the roller coaster ride known as adolescence can be a less scary ride when we know how to identify our feelings and how to express them. Come learn more!
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Cultivating Serenity: A calming Garden Experience
Explore the art of creating and experiencing a calm garden. In this interactive and meditative class we will create a small calm garden to reduce stress increase calmness in your life. A wonderful way to share the serenity of a peaceful garden with others.
FAQs
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Everyone! Ages 12 and up are able to attend the conference, and childcare will be available for younger family members.
This year's conference does have a focus on those who feel isolated/lonely, veterans, those in recovery, caregivers, and those who have been impacted by suicide or suicidal thoughts.
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This is a FREE event open to the public.
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Rise Together is an opportunity to learn new things, build or strengthen your connection to your community, and learn how to empower others around you. Our main session and breakout speakers will present on a wide array of topics including social connectedness, coping with anxiety, recovery, conflict resolution, managing perfectionism, and more! Be sure to check out the conference schedule for more details.
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There will be multiple food trucks at the event offering lunch options for purchase. Attendees may also opt to bring their own lunch from home.
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Yes! If you are interested in being a volunteer at this year's event, please contact us at RAJC@ReachCouncil.org
Our Food Vendors