Community Connections Summit 2026

AGENDA

2026 Community Connections Summit Schedule

McHenry County College | Friday, September 11, 2026 | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

8:30

Check-in, Light Refreshments & Exhibitors

9:00

Opening Remarks (Luecht Auditorium B170)

  • Bridget Geenen, Mental Health Board Executive Director

9:10

Keynote Speaker (Luecht Auditorium B170)

  • Shira Greenfield, LCPC | One Conversation at a Time: Creating Connection in a Disconnected World

10:00

Break with Exhibitors

10:15

Breakout Session I (4 Concurrent Breakouts)

  • Listening to Leading – Youth Voices/Community Impact | Alex Campbell, Edith Sánchez, and Brenda Napholz
  • The Grief Gap: Beyond Acceptance — A Way Through the Space Nobody Names | Lisa Orris 
  • Welcome to My Hype House: Helping Adolescents Build Safe and Connected Relationships | Kristy Hinz, MA, LPC
  • You Can’t Do Life Alone: Peer Support Matters | Nicole Moreno and Nancy Bernal 

11:15

Complimentary Lunch

12:00

Breakout Session II (4 Concurrent Breakouts)

  • Connected by Conversation: When Communities Talk, Families Grow | Allison Kranich, MS, LCPC, CADC
  • Supporting Youth and Families Impacted by Incarceration or the Justice System | Cheryl Niemo, LCSW  
  • Before the Crisis: Conversations That Build Safety, Trust, and Belonging | Josh Novick, MA, LPC
  • Bigger Together: How Mentorship Creates Connection | Anna Buckingham

1:00

Break with Exhibitors

1:15

Breakout Session III (4 Concurrent Breakouts)

  • Pet Loss Bereavement | John Mysz, LCSW, VSW
  • Sensory-Friendly Events: Building True Inclusion for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities | Linda Lynn and Lizzy Lynn
  • Addressing Non-Belonging in Tech-Savvy Schools | Sydney Osborn and Adrian Harries 
  • Nourishing the Family: Supporting Recovery Through Compassionate Conversations About Eating Disorders | Carolyn Schofield and Mia Greco, MS, MPH, RD, LDN

2:15

Break with Exhibitors

2:30

Closing Presentation (Luecht Auditorium B170)

  • Shira Greenfield, LCPC | One More Conversation
  • Raffle

3:00

Adjourn