2026 Bridge Conference

 LGBTQI+ people have always been here and come from all races, religions, geographies, and lived experiences. Currently the LGBTQI+ community in all its diversity is experiencing backlash. Now is not the time to back away from creating welcoming and inclusive programs. This session will help youth workers and advocates understand how to support healthy youth development and resiliency with strategies that work. Content will include data sharing, small
and large group work, and case studies to address the complexity of youths' lived experience and how to support them.

A highly practical session for facilitators and direct service staff, this training focuses on inclusive facilitation strategies that support diverse learners, encourage youth voice, and respond skillfully to moments of disconnection or harm.

Session Objectives

• Use practical strategies to encourage participation from all learners.
• Learn how to use experiential activities and discussions to bridge engagement and participation. 
• Support youth voice and give participants meaningful opportunities to contribute.

Designed for supervisors and managers, this session explores how inclusive supervision builds trust, clarity, and accountability while supporting staff development without relying on shame or compliance-based approaches.

Session Objectives

• Learn Be the Change Consulting’s Arc of Staff Development, a framework to mentor and coach employees to become independent, proactive team members
• Explore a spectrum of strategies to develop staff from supervision towards thought partnership
• Create a process to identify opportunities for growth and build a customized professional development plan

Join us for a 30-minute meditation and stretch session to ease into the 2nd day of Bridge. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing. 

Every day, youth development professionals make decisions shaped by beliefs about respect, success, leadership, behavior, belonging, and care. But where did those beliefs come from?

Through reflection, dialogue, and interactive activities, participants will explore how socialization influences the way we see ourselves, one another, and the young people we serve. Together, we will examine the messages we inherited from family, schools, communities, media, and society, and consider how those messages show up in our programs, policies, and practices today. This session invites participants to move beyond judgment and toward curiosity as we explore what it means to learn, unlearn, and intentionally create environments where both young people and youth workers can thrive.

Through play and peer learning, educators will be empowered with strategies to differentiate instruction and build inclusive environments where each and every TK-8 grade student thrives. Explore growth mindset, apply strategies to real-world scenarios, and engage in “Pause & Play” activities that model inclusion. Leave with practical tools and resources to support staff and students, ensuring all learners are seen, supported, and set up for success.