#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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

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