2024 Bridge Conference

Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth was developed by Leslie Briner, MSW of Youth Care; This training will prepare caregivers and service providers to identify, engage and provide support to sexually exploited youth; Introductory topics include definitions, language, landscape of exploitation, identification including “red flags”, victim engagements and interventions.

This 90-minute workshop aims to equip emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) youth development professionals with essential career development strategies and resources to thrive in their careers. Participants will explore key aspects of career planning, skill development, networking, and overcoming barriers unique to BIPOC professionals in the youth development sector.

In this wonderful workshop, we will address philosophies surrounding restorative practices. Participants will then walk through challenges as well as easy-to-discuss topics in a step-by-step process while they learn to facilitate circle activities by doing them. We will introduce a framework for asking inquiry-based questions for facilitation. By adopting these concepts educators will be ultimately helping students to build positive shifts in: Attitudes toward academics and school culture. Improved class attendance. Handling of face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying. Creative solving of discipline problems.

Experience a sound bath session of frequencies and vibrations from crystal singing bowls that will move your high stress and anxiety Beta brain waves of into calm and clear minded relaxed Theta and Delta brain waves. Take a moment for yourself to breathe, reset, and rejuvenate as you listen to the music and sounds that will recenter you with your inner peace.

Grief has become an ever-increasing concern for our youth. In this workshop, participants will learn creative and connection-building activities that are designed with the intention of increasing the professional’s knowledge of supporting children who are impacted by grief. This workshop will be fun, while increasing the professional’s comfort in talking to children about grief and in engaging the child in greater understanding of their physical and emotional response to their grief. This workshop will include hands-on activities with the option for participants to share their experience with each other to enhance the learning. Participants will also learn the intention behind the choice of activities, which will allow them to adapt the tools to fit their audience. This workshop is designed to be most beneficial to direct service staff. However, managers and leaders will also learn skills in this workshop that will increase their understanding of supporting grieving children.