CONCORD – New Hampshire Children’s Trust held its 12th annual Strengthening Families Summit: Building Hopeful Futures Together on October 29, 2024. The conference drew 320 parent leaders, strengthening family professionals, practitioners, and community members from around our state and beyond.

The Summit was an engaging experience that explored community investment in family strengthening and community-building throughout New Hampshire. Keynote Jennifer Jones, Chief Strategy Officer at Prevent Child Abuse America, introduced the transformative Theory of Change framework where she helped all attendees recognize their crucial role within a cohesive primary prevention ecosystem. Participants discovered up to three actionable ways to contribute to fostering purposeful and joyful lives for New Hampshire’s children and families, while staying aligned with the guiding North Star principles. This session gave valuable insights and practical strategies that empowered attendees to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Eight engaging workshop sessions were offered throughout the day which focused on: supporting individuals through loss and grief, police social work in NH, building trauma responsive communities, family friendly workplaces, connecting with new American families, and strengthening unhoused families.

The afternoon included an engaging plenary presented by Scott Noyes, which focused on genuine happiness and how we are all capable of changing our emotional satisfaction with life and how this could influence raising children, working with parents and caring for ourselves.

Two awards were also presented at the Summit: The Lucy Fowlkes Breed Award was presented to Dr. Leo Sandy of Chesterfield who volunteers for the NH Department of Corrections Family Connections Center. The Dr. Robert Chamberlin Award was presented to Mollie White of Twin Mountain who is the Executive Manager of the Coos Coalition for Young Children and Families.

For more information visit: https://www.nhchildrenstrust.org/strengthening-families-summit.