FCMI Hope & Healing Conference 2021:
Faithfully Practicing Community Inclusion 
​8:30 am to 4:15 pm
Live Webinar
Virtual Event
REGISTRATION
OPENING SOON WWW.WAKEAHEC.ORG
  • Keynote Speaker: Father Gregory Boyle, S. J., Founder and Director of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, CA, the largest gang intervention program in the USA. Fr. Boyle has authored two bestselling books: Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. He and  Homeboys will relate their powerful experiences in addressing marginalization, gang violence and mental health conditions that often lead to hopelessness, violence and incarceration. ​
​​In the face of law enforcement tactics and criminal justice policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the means to end gang violence, Father Boyle, his parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time- treat gang members as human beings.

In 1988, they started what would eventually become Homeboy Industries employing and training former gang members in a range of social enterprises. The organization provides critical services to thousands of men and women who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.

Father Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. His 2017 book is the Los Angeles Times bestseller Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship.

He has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama confirmed Father Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics.
Purposes
​Building an inclusive community, one in which everyone has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life as a valued member, free from prejudice, requires a “reframing” of the methods used to relate to each other.

This conference has two main purposes:
1. To celebrate the contributions of people and organizations that have led the way in including people with mental illness who are transitioning from prison, abusive living situations, and other life conditions that often sever their ties from the community.
2. Identify ways to eradicate prejudices and practices that marginalize and isolate people living with mental health conditions in our communities will be shared.
Target Audience

Mental health professionals, including psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral counselors, clergy, substance abuse counselors, school counselors, teachers, and school support staff; individuals with mental health challenges; caregivers, loved ones and friends of individuals with mental health challenges; and others interested in this subject