Augusta University aims to build a stronger community with free summit Sept. 23

Two Augusta University professors are at the helm of a new event that they hope leads to a more resilient community.

The MCG Foundation at Augusta University, with support from Dr. Kimberly Vess Loomer and Dr. Melissa Bemiller, is sponsoring a community conference, “Transforming Our Community Summit: From Adversity to Resilience,” from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 23. at The Richmond on Greene.

The summit is designed to discuss the most persistent problems a community faces, including violence; substance use; child abuse; disease; poverty; incarceration and individual, family and community dysfunction. The summit also aims to equip attendees with the tools to make better decisions to serve their organization and community.

Nationally recognized expert Becky Haas will educate attendees in building trauma-informed communities and provide tools on how to make significant progress across the different sectors of society. This conference is designed to help prepare attendees to implement trauma-informed practices in the community that build resilience, both individually and collectively, and lead to positive community change.

The summit will include educational sessions, exhibitors, lunch and a networking reception at no cost to attendees. A variety of community members will benefit from attendance, including first responders; health care providers; school administrators; business leaders; parents and caregivers; faith-based, juvenile justice, early childhood education or youth-serving organizations; and public health and social services organizations.

Funding for the summit was provided by the Pittulloch Foundation and the MCG Foundation. It is a partnership with Augusta University, Georgia Family Connection, the CSRA Community Foundation, Resilient Augusta, and Resilient Georgia. Summit founders include Augusta University professors Vess Loomer and Bemiller as well as Julie Miller, regional manager for Georgia Family Connection Partnership for the Augusta CSRA region.

“Building strong community partnerships that ultimately benefit all is at the heart of what we do,” said Miller. “We want to help people develop the skills they need to be mentally strong for now and in the future to be able to handle life’s surprises.”