Rescheduled dates are coming soon!

〰️

Rescheduled dates are coming soon! 〰️

National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference

Igniting the SPARK:

Restoring Hope for Youth, Families, Schools and Communities

Tampa, Florida

The Speakers

  • James Hird

    MA Educational Leadership Alternative Education Principal

  • Lana Schneidt

    LMHC, CAP, and DBT Therapists focusing on Teens and Young Adults

  • Prince Jimmar

    Co-founder and Director of Rebels for Peace - A South Side Chicago peer-to-peer initiative that delivers year-long programming to 700 youth in grades 4-8 across Chicago schools

  • Titus O'Neil

    WWE Superstar and Student Advocate

  • Anna Debenham

    Founder of The Insight Alliance, empowering justice-involved individuals to unlock their potential and end recidivism.

  • Michael Neill

    Thought Leader and Author

  • Jordan Brimlow

    US Army Disabled Veteran (OEF Campaign), Owner of Jay McKinley: helping incarcerated veterans and civilians.

  • Ashley Hunt

    VP of Learning and Development at The SPARK Initiative

  • Tom Mattox

    Community Building Expert

  • Rob Cook

    Retired Military Veteran, Trauma Coach, and International Speaker

  • Brooke Wheeldon-Reece

    CEO, The SPARK Initiative, Co-Creator of the SPARK Mentoring Programs and the Insight to Well-Being Program

  • More Speakers To Be Announced Soon

  • Brock Sellers

    TAC Coordinator and Trainer with the National Training Institute

  • Dr. Sierra Goggins-Brown

    Certified School Counselor/Research Consultant

  • Jonathan McLean

    Regional Outreach Coordinator of Learn Fresh

  • Jamie Sellers

    Licensed Social Worker

  • Jacqueline Hollows

    Founder of Beyond Recovery

  • Monica Carota

    Intuitive Performance Coach & Mentor

  • Eirik Olsen

    Founder of One Solution Global

  • McKenna Reitz

    Author, Speaker and Resilience Expert

  • Jeremy Butler

    Founder of Fill'n The Gaps

  • Dr. Joe Hendershott

    Co-Founder of Hope 4 The Wounded, LLC

  • Dardi Hendershott

    Co Founder of Hope 4 The Wounded, LLC

  • Tamikia Deshawn Berry

    School Social Worker

  • Gabrielle Brundidge

    Professional School Counselor

  • Tycee Precatt

    UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development

  • Darlene Trujillo

    LCSW, Doctoral Candidate

  • Aline Trifonov

    Founder & Executive Director of Piano Performance Arts Academy, LLC.

  • Katie Trowbridge

    President/CEO of Curiosity to Create

  • Kristie Popa

    4-H Extension Agent II

  • Davida Arnold

    Assistant Director of Diversity & Community Life and Teacher

  • Jeanne Catherine Gray

    Researcher and Practitioner

  • Makayla Wheeldon

    Marketing & Events Coordinator at The Spark Initiative, Former Teacher

  • Mari Latham

    Research and Development The SPARK Initiative

  • Carys Mullins

    Founder of Advocates for LGBTQ+ Equality

  • Emily Johnson

    Co Founder of Women in Pre-Law Society, Law Student, Former SPARK Mentor

  • Dr. Dicken Bettinger

    Clinical Psychologist

  • Beto Contreras

    Community Outreach Manager for The Insight Alliance, a non-profit that works in prisons

  • Angie Valenti

    Survivor of Sex Trafficking, Assessment Coordinator with Selah Freedom

  • Anita McGinty

    Psychologist and Educator

  • Julie Smythe

    VP for Sunshine Health's Child Welfare Specialty Plan

  • Jena Travise

    Operations Manger at The SPARK Initiative, SPARK Mentor

  • Sandy Traynor

    Director of Programs for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

  • Nicole Wilson

    Community Programs Manager at The SPARK Initiative

  • Adrienne Dawson

    Youth Program Manager for Our House- Running out of school time programs for homeless and near-homeless youth

  • Dr. Fran Morris

    Certified School Counselor/Founder of Brown Girls Who Counsel

The National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference promises to bring together a collective of passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing wellbeing and resilience by restoring HOPE in their community’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. During the conference, we will come together to inspire one another to become:

Sparks of Hope

Innovators of Change &

Catalysts of Wellbeing and Resilience

The NWRC will provide a platform for sharing the leading resources, research, programs, and collaborative opportunities. Let‘s come together to Ignite Sparks of Hope, Wellbeing, and Resilience in the youth, schools, families, and communities we serve.

Who Should Attend?

Our diverse audience includes stakeholders and professionals working in a variety of fields to improve the wellbeing and resilience in their communities. These fields include:

  • Foster Care/Adoption/Permanency

  • Suicide Prevention and Intervention

  • Human/Sex-Trafficking Prevention & Intervention

  • Out-of-School and After-School

  • Psychiatry and Psychology

  • Hope/Wellbeing/Resilience Research

  • Education

  • Mental Health/Counseling

  • Human Services/Social Work

  • Youth Mentoring

  • Criminal Justice

  • Substance Abuse

What’s Included:

Engage with thought-provoking keynote speakers, including accomplished athletes, world-renowned entertainers, and leading experts in education, mental health, well-being, and resilience. Hear firsthand about their successful community initiatives, Insights and lessons learned, and leading research Initiatives on hope, well-being, and resilience.

3 Days of Impactful Content

Dynamic Breakout Sessions & Workshops

Choose from a variety of breakout sessions tailored to your interests and needs.

  • Innovative strategies for promoting mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being.

  • Best practices in fostering resilience in education, counseling, mentoring, foster/adoption & the criminal justice system.

  • Programs and resources for supporting vulnerable & underserved populations.

Pre-conference Trainings & Networking Opportunities

Participate in interactive pre-conference workshops that provide practical tools and techniques for implementing evidence-based well-being and resilience programs in your community or organization.

Connect with like-minded professionals, educators, and advocates who are passionate about making a difference.

BOOK YOUR TICKET

Act now and save $100 on your ticket. The lowest price is now available.

VIEW CONFERENCE THEMES & SCHEDULE

Theme details and Schedule at a Glance. Full Details coming soon!

VIEW THE SPEAKERS & APPLY TO SPEAK

The first speakers have been announced! See who they are below.

BECOME A SPONSOR or EXHIBITOR

Join forces with us by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor.

Location: Tampa, FL

Venue: Hilton Downtown, 211 N Tampa ST, Tampa, FL 33602

Conference Dates: October 9th - Oct 11th

Pre-Conference and SPARK Certification Training: October 7th - 8th

Room Blocks are available at the Hilton. Book now to secure your room and receive our discounted nightly rate. The room block will sell out!

Thank YOU to our Sponsors

About Your Host

The SPARK Initiative is a non-profit organization based out of Tampa, Fl that develops and delivers evidence-based leadership and mentoring programs that focus on promoting mental health, wellness, and resiliency in youth, sex trafficking survivors, and incarcerated men and women. Click here to learn more.

National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference

Restoring Hope for Youth, Families, Schools and Communities

Igniting the SPARK: