On May 7th, the 2026 Hope & Healing Conference took place at the Kroc Center in Norfolk. This year’s event was hosted by The Hampton Roads Trauma Informed Community Network, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and supported by funding from the Family & Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia.
This conference served as an invitation for helpers, healers, and caregivers of every kind to pause, breathe, and return to the center of their own well-being. In work where others’ needs often come first, it’s easy to drift away from our identity, balance, and inner wholeness. This year’s event was designed with one primary intention in mind: caring for others should never cost us ourselves.
Attendees started the morning with networking and speaking with several of our vendors who are in the mental health space. Following the networking time, attendees heard opening remarks from Delegate Bonita Anthony, our Conference Coordinator, Courtney Pierce, Emily Christopher with United Way of South Hampton Roads, and representatives from the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD).
Throughout the morning, attendees had the option to choose from multiple breakout sessions:
- “Can Faith and Mental Health Coexist? A Trauma-Informed Conversation”
- Panel: Pastor Jordan Brown, Rev. Viola Abbitt, Saher Mirza
- Facilitator: Dr. Sarah Hummel
- “Healing Through the Body: Practical Somatic Skills”
- Presenter: Dr. Alicia Tetteh
- “Mental Health Buzzwords: Helpful Language or Harmful Labels?”
- Presenter: Dr. Kristie Norwood
- “Cultural and Mental Health: Voices Across Communities”
- Panel: Qunci Brune, Kristen Pine, Viviana Andrade, Mas Carlos
- Facilitator: Vivian Oden
- “The Science of Hope”
- Presenter: John Richardson Lauve
- “What We Wish You Knew: Youth Perspectives on Mental Health”
- Presented by: Alternative Inc. & World Changers
To read more about the breakout sessions, please click here. We thank the panelists, facilitators, and presenters who took the time to educate on these important topics.
Following the breakout sessions, our Keynote speaker, Vernard “The Laugh Therapist” Hines shared about “Compassionate Fatigue with Laughter”, and Courtney Pierce shared “What We Carry Forward” – a closing circle practice.
We thank everyone who attended this meaningful event, and are hopeful that attendees left feeling lighter, more whole, and equipped with the tools to care more for themselves.