“Now in its 28th year, the Bi-County Empowerment Conference is an annual gathering produced by – and for – people who experience emotional distress, voices and visions, altered and extreme states of consciousness, labels of psychiatry, substance use, and trauma/trauma responses. This conference is for those of us who have been historically disenfranchised; we come together to lift each other up and foster our community.
Last year, the “COVID-ized” Conference leveraged its virtual format by inviting participation from all around ϲ State, across the country, and even overseas. In 2021 we look forward to empowering our community on Long Island and beyond!
Our 2021 conference theme is: “Peace for Now, Hope for Tomorrow.” It’s certainly been a tornado of a year, and our community has gotten us through with peace and love – we have hope that today, tomorrow, and whatever comes next, we will continue to rise up, together.”
2021 Empowerment Conference Workshops announced! Held virtually Fri 10/22 and 10/29, 9:30-1:00.
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Understanding Self-Injury – Billy Gamble and Emily Vaianella
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(Re)defining and (Re)imagining Through Memoir: A Story Shaping Workshop – Jessica Lowell Mason and Janelle Gagnon
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Through the Looking Glass: A Self-Reflective Journey to Becoming a Peer – Kris Bly
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Maximizing Ability to Achieve a Better Life Experience: Savings Goals and Retirement – Regina Schoen
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Creative Connections Campaign – Emily Vaianella
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The NYC Justice Peer Initiative: A Model for Initiating Justice-Involved Peers in our Communities – Helen “Skip” Skipper
Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) will host a Halloween/Conference Viewing Party at our Central Islip Recovery Center on Oct 29. Capacity is limited; call 631-234-1925 x1 to reserve spot. All costumes should include a mask!