FREDONIA, NY – This year “The Power of Story” Takes Center Stage, and the planning committee for the 2026 Hope & Healing Conference of Western New York is excited to announce a Call for Presenters for Day One (June 5, 2026) of this year’s conference, centered around that theme.
Day one of the conference is designed for professionals, community leaders, educators, healthcare providers, advocates, and changemakers, but as always, the Hope & Healing Conference welcomes anyone who believes in building stronger, healthier communities.
This year, we are inviting presenters to help us explore how story shapes connection, resilience, recovery, prevention, and hope.
Our Presentation Opportunities:
Hope Talks are inspired by the idea that powerful messages don’t always need an hour, Hope Talks will feature short, impactful presentations lasting 5–10 minutes each.
We are looking for speakers willing to share: a lived experience that sparked change, a professional lesson that reshaped practice, a moment of connection that altered outcomes, a story that highlights resilience, prevention, or healing, or an innovative program or approach rooted in human experience.
These talks are meant to be authentic, meaningful, and accessible. Story casts a wide net. Your experience matters.
Breakout Sessions are 60-minute sessions that connect to the conference theme. Sessions may focus on: mental health, substance use prevention and recovery, trauma-informed care, youth engagement, family support, systems collaboration, community-based innovation, or access to care and service navigation.
Breakout sessions should offer practical insight, skill-building, or deeper discussion tied to the power of story in professional or community settings.
Individuals selected to present will receive complimentary admission to the conference. This is an opportunity to share your work and lived experience, connect with professionals and community members from across Western New York, and contribute to meaningful systems-level and community conversation.
Apply to present by submitting their proposal and find additional details by completing the Hope Talks and Breakout Session Application by March 17th.
Conference updates, announcements, and important dates will also be shared on HopeandHealingConference.comand our Facebook event page. Additional information, including keynote speakers, Day two community programming, and special panels will be released in the coming weeks.
The Hope & Healing Conference continues to bring together community-based organizations, agencies, educators, healthcare systems, and families across Chautauqua County and the broader Western New York region. When we share our stories, we build connection. When we build connection, we create change. We invite you to be part of it.
