RiseUp: A Pathway to Resilience

Helix Human Services is returning with its 2nd Annual Conference: RiseUp: A Pathway to Resilience.

Over the years research has proven that exposure trauma i.e. to abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence, and other adverse experiences increases a person’s lifelong potential for serious health problems and engaging in health-risk behaviors.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, resilience is essential for overcoming challenges, fostering growth, and achieving lasting success. RiseUP: A Pathway to Resilience is a transformative conference aimed at equipping individuals, organizations, and communities with the tools, strategies, and inspiration needed to thrive. Through engaging keynote sessions and interactive workshops, attendees will acquire valuable skills to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives.

The conference targets educators, social workers, mentors, and caregivers for children and families, alongside anyone dedicated to enhancing the welfare of vulnerable populations within their communities. The primary objective of this conference is to educate participants on trauma and trauma-informed care, equipping them with strategies for personal application as caregivers, as well as methods for implementing trauma-informed care in support of at-risk children and families.

The conference will feature three keynote speakers with several breakout sessions run by professionals in the field (CEUs will be offered). Some of the topics to be treated include but are not limited to:

· Intro to Trauma Informed Care

· Motivational Interviewing (MI)

· LGBTQIA+

· Self-Care

· ADHD

This trauma informed care conference promises to be an incredible one with many great learning opportunities.

Morning Breakout Sessions (pick one from below)

When you see Me do you see Resilience? - Collaboration Through Empathy, Respect, and Cultural Humility

Presented by: Christian Smith, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-3.

About this session: This workshop invites human service providers to explore how adopting an approach rooted in cultural humility—marked by empathy, respect, and collaboration—can strengthen their relationships with clients and foster better life outcomes. Participants will engage in learning how to honor the diverse experiences, values, and perspectives of those they serve, recognizing the resilience inherent in every individual.

Through reflective discussions, case studies, and interactive activities, this session will focus on the importance of understanding power dynamics, acknowledging our own biases, and centering the voices of clients in the helping process. By cultivating a mindset of openness and lifelong learning, providers can more effectively collaborate with clients, respecting their autonomy and empowering them to lead their own journeys toward healing and growth.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have practical tools for engaging clients in ways that are culturally responsive, empathetic, and respectful—helping them to recognize and build upon the strengths and resilience that each individual brings to the table. This approach promotes a path toward more equitable, client-centered outcomes.

Books as Balm: Healing Centered Strategies for Educators and Caregivers

Presented by: Emely Rumble, LCSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-8.

About this session: This workshop will equip social workers and others with trauma-informed culturally responsive tools to integrate bibliotherapy into direct practice. Participants will learn how to use literature to support emotional regulation, strengthen caregiver-child relationships, and foster strength in individuals and communities. These tools are especially useful in school, clinical, and community-based social work settings. This interactive workshop is perfect for educators, social workers, and caregivers seeking practical culturally responsive tools they can use right away.

Trauma-Informed Care 101: Recognizing, Responding, and Supporting Healing

Presented by: Kim Monson, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-2.

About this session: This foundational training in Trauma Informed Care is designed to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals. Participants will gain knowledge about the nature and types of trauma, how trauma affects brain development and behavior, and the importance of recognizing trauma responses. The training explores the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, developmental trauma, and the ways in which trauma can manifest in daily life.

Attendees will learn how to identify trauma triggers, support healthy coping skills, and create environments that foster safety, empowerment, and healing. An emphasis will also be placed on self-care and preventing vicarious trauma for caregivers. Through interactive discussion, reflection, and practical tools, this training equips participants to begin applying trauma-informed principles in both personal and professional settings.

Joy as a Tool for Resistance and Resilience

Presented by: Dr. Latoya Bosworth

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-5.

About this session: "The Master’s Tools will Never Dismantle the Master’s Hose. In her well-known essay, Audre Lorde discourages marginalized groups from using the tools of oppression to combat oppression. In this workshop participants will explore the historical, cultural and communal uses of joy as a form of holistic preservation and renewal. Participants will make connections between joy and resilience, and joy as resistance, particularly during turbulent times and as a part of movements

Participants will:

• Explore varied perspectives and connection between resilience and resistance.
• Understand practice of joy historical and current contexts as both resilience and resistance for collective preservation, restoration, and movements.
• Learn the current science of using joy as a tool for resilience and resistance.
• Explore strategies for cultivating joy that support both resilience and resistance.

Creative Expression for Burnout Care and Prevention

Presented by: Jennifer Wolfe-Hagstrom, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-6.

About this session: As helping professionals, we have an increased likelihood of experiencing burnout at some point. Since COVID the topic of burnout has gotten more attention, as it should, and professionals need more concrete skills to not only cope with active burnout but set up routines for prevention. Creative expression interventions offer outlets to get at the core of the contributing factors while engaging in novel and playful activities. This workshop will provide information about symptoms, risk factors, and actions to take. Additionally, hands-on techniques will be taught and experienced so that you can leave this workshop knowing exactly how to access these resources outside of the teaching environment. Come nurture parts of you that need some extra attention while learning about effective and fun methods immediately accessible, all while getting Continuing Education Credits. Your exhausted and depleted parts will thank you!

Engaging Resistant Clients with Empathy and Skill

Presented by: Cristina Rivera, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-4.

About this session: When you are eager to work with a client, but you are met with resistance, it can be challenging. This training explores how resistance often reflects underlying fear or mistrust. Participants will have the opportunity for an interactive discussion and leave with tools to strengthen engagement, build comfort with the discomfort of resistance, and recognize resistance as a part of the process.

Anger Regulation: Effective Practical Strategies for Change

Presented by: Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-9.

About this session: Anger is an emotional state that can range from mild irritation to overwhelming rage and is a response to events which can be interpreted through a set of unrealistic expectations. The workshop will look at how an individual can monitor their anger. The program will also introduce specific anger regulation techniques that a person can use to help build resiliency in being able to cope with feelings of anger. In this session you will learn specific techniques to improve one’s ability to regulate one’s anger, learn the distinction between anger, aggression and assertiveness, and understand the dynamics of anger.

Breaking White Silence in Queer Spaces

Presented by: Kevin Grady, M.Ed (he/him) and Neil Dembkoski (they/them)

About this session: As behavioral health organizations strive to provide more inclusive services, white silence frequently serves as a barrier to achieving genuine equity and access. Participants will explore how silence in response to racial inequality continues to hurt LGBTQIA+ spaces and creates disparities in care. Using an intersectional and social justice-focused approach, the workshop will present strategies for breaking white silence and promoting inclusive environments.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions (pick one from below)

When you see Me do you see Resilience? - Collaboration Through Empathy, Respect, and Cultural Humility

Presented by: Christian Smith, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-3.

About this session: This workshop invites human service providers to explore how adopting an approach rooted in cultural humility—marked by empathy, respect, and collaboration—can strengthen their relationships with clients and foster better life outcomes. Participants will engage in learning how to honor the diverse experiences, values, and perspectives of those they serve, recognizing the resilience inherent in every individual.

Through reflective discussions, case studies, and interactive activities, this session will focus on the importance of understanding power dynamics, acknowledging our own biases, and centering the voices of clients in the helping process. By cultivating a mindset of openness and lifelong learning, providers can more effectively collaborate with clients, respecting their autonomy and empowering them to lead their own journeys toward healing and growth.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have practical tools for engaging clients in ways that are culturally responsive, empathetic, and respectful—helping them to recognize and build upon the strengths and resilience that each individual brings to the table. This approach promotes a path toward more equitable, client-centered outcomes.

Trauma-Informed Care 101: Recognizing, Responding, and Supporting Healing

Presented by: Kim Monson, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-2.

About this session: This foundational training in Trauma Informed Care is designed to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of trauma on individuals. Participants will gain knowledge about the nature and types of trauma, how trauma affects brain development and behavior, and the importance of recognizing trauma responses. The training explores the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, developmental trauma, and the ways in which trauma can manifest in daily life.

Attendees will learn how to identify trauma triggers, support healthy coping skills, and create environments that foster safety, empowerment, and healing. An emphasis will also be placed on self-care and preventing vicarious trauma for caregivers. Through interactive discussion, reflection, and practical tools, this training equips participants to begin applying trauma-informed principles in both personal and professional settings.

Joy as a Tool for Resistance and Resilience

Presented by: Dr. Latoya Bosworth

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-5.

About this session: "The Master’s Tools will Never Dismantle the Master’s Hose. In her well-known essay, Audre Lorde discourages marginalized groups from using the tools of oppression to combat oppression. In this workshop participants will explore the historical, cultural and communal uses of joy as a form of holistic preservation and renewal. Participants will make connections between joy and resilience, and joy as resistance, particularly during turbulent times and as a part of movements

Participants will:

· Explore varied perspectives and connection between resilience and resistance

· Understand practice of joy historical and current contexts as both resilience and resistance for collective preservation, restoration, and movements.

· Learn the current science of using joy as a tool for resilience and resistance.

· Explore strategies for cultivating joy that support both resilience and resistance.

Mental Health – The Reality of Mental Illness and the Family Unit

Presented by: Lisa Zarcone

About this session: In this workshop we will be discussing mental health and how it can affect a whole family unit. When a parent or guardian is struggling with mental illness, and does not get the proper help and support that they need, who helps the child? How does this effect the environment in which they all live.

I will break down the family dynamics and how it can all unravel quickly when there is no support. We will discuss different types of mental health disorders, and the trauma and abuse factor surrounding family dysfunctions.

What is the long-term effect on children and young adults living in this type of situation, and how deep does the trauma go. The body does keep the score, and eventually it ends up filtering out into their adult lives if not addressed. The cycle cannot be broken unless we do the work.

Silence is the main culprit of families who struggle. There is still a “stigma” surrounding mental health, and a real fear to talk about it, and ask for help. Because of that silence countless families end up in the system. There is also a great fear of children being taken away.

What are the statistics and do we have concrete answers when it comes to helping the families who are struggling.

Engaging Resistant Clients with Empathy and Skill

Presented by: Cristina Rivera, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-4.

About this session: When you are eager to work with a client, but you are met with resistance, it can be challenging. This training explores how resistance often reflects underlying fear or mistrust. Participants will have the opportunity for an interactive discussion and leave with tools to strengthen engagement, build comfort with the discomfort of resistance, and recognize resistance as a part of the process.

Substance Use & Trauma: What You Need to Know about Trauma-Informed Addiction Care

Presented by: Dr. Ari Kriegsman

About this session: In this breakout session we will review the history of medical care for people living with substance use disorders. Special focus will be given to stigma in the healthcare setting, and the frequency of psychological trauma and sub-par medical care that people with SUD experienced when accessing care.

We will then review the principles of trauma informed care, and their practical application in different medical settings, including the ER, hospital, primary care and addiction treatment centers. Special attention will also be given to developing policies and procedures so that these principles can be applied on a systematic level within a given organization.

Calm in the Storm: Building Self-Regulation for Trauma-Informed Practice

Presented by: MJ Henry & Associates, Inc.

Martha J. Henry, PhD and Michael J. McManus, LICSW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10428-2.

About this session: Goal: Encourage caregivers and providers who serve children and families to evaluate their own triggers, strategies, and reflections related to self-regulation. Children and youth thrive when adults can recognize their own emotions and manage their reactions, minimizing any negative impact on those around them. This 75-minute session emphasizes the importance of well-regulated adults in trauma-informed care. Facilitators will guide participants through a self-discovery process to help them identify the actions, behaviors, and circumstances that lead to dysregulation, as well as those that promote emotional and physical regulation.

From Lived Experience to Leadership: The Transformational Advocacy

Presented by: Areliz Barbosa, CHW

This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for
relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number 10396-7.

About this session: Join Areliz O. Barbosa—a proud Latina mother, trauma survivor, and seasoned Community Health Worker with over 22 years of experience—for an inspiring session rooted in lived experience and professional insight. Areliz will share her personal journey navigating systems of healthcare and social services, turning hardship into advocacy and leadership. Participants will gain insight into the power of culturally responsive care, the value of dignity and equity in service delivery, and the transformative role of Community Health Workers in creating lasting change. Learn how one voice—and one mission—can spark ripples of healing, empowerment, and justice across entire communities.

Breaking White Silence in Queer Spaces

Presented by: Kevin Grady, M.Ed (he/him) and Neil Dembkoski (they/them)

About this session: As behavioral health organizations strive to provide more inclusive services, white silence frequently serves as a barrier to achieving genuine equity and access. Participants will explore how silence in response to racial inequality continues to hurt LGBTQIA+ spaces and creates disparities in care. Using an intersectional and social justice-focused approach, the workshop will present strategies for breaking white silence and promoting inclusive environments.