“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 New York 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. Register yourself or people you support by clicking here.
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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!
