Monday, January 16, 2017

9:30 – 10:30 MENTAL WELL-BEING

Addiction: Myths and Misconceptions

Speaker: Gloria Englund, MA, Recovery Coach, Speaker, Author, and Advocate

The 2015 vital statistics for the Centers for Disease Control stated that 120 people in the United States are dying daily because of opioid addiction; roughly half of those die because of prescribed opioid pain medication. Learn about the many myths and misconceptions of addiction from Englund, author of Living in the Wake of Addiction:
Lessons for Courageous Caregiving.

10:45 – 11:45 EDUCATION

AFT Everyday Hero and Minnesota Teacher of the Year:
Intersecting Lives As We Are Transforming Lives

Speakers: Brenda Johnson, Transition Specialist, Stadium View School,
Juvenile Detention Center; 2016 American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
National Everyday Hero
Abdul Wright, Teacher at Best Academy; 2016, Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Both speakers’ lives briefly intersected at Edison High School when Wright was homeless and Johnson’s role was to support him. Now a trusted teacher with a master’s degree, Wright never encountered a teacher of color until graduate school. Johnson is a minister and educator, and she works at Stadium View School which serves 1,400 incarcerated youth each year. Almost all are students of color. Wright helps all of his students at Best Academy to become successful both in academics and socio-emotional support. Johnson provides transitional support for incarcerated youth and their parents who are often overwhelmed in the juvenile justice system.

11:45 – Noon LUNCHEON
12:00 – 1:15 ANNOUNCEMENTS

1:15 – 2:15 CULTURES, CLANS, AND COMMUNITIES

Building Successful Lives through AMICUS

Speakers: Chris Doege, Adult Re-entry Services Manager
Julie Jefferson, Women’s Program Manager

The goal of AMICUS programs is to reduce recidivism and help men and women transition back to their community after release from prison by providing incarcerated men and women a connection to the outside world. For 50 years this program has supported a volunteer one-on-one friend to inmates in the prison system. Doege and Jefferson will describe the achievements of this program and how you or someone you know can become involved as a volunteer in the AMICUS mission.