From Trauma to Transformation: Restoring Hope and Connection at the 2026 Faith & Action Spring Conference
Many of us find ourselves asking the question, “how can I help?” Our world, country, and even our congregations are disconnected and fracturing. We find ourselves running out of hope, feeling chronically stressed, and not sure what our next step should be – to help ourselves or help our neighbor?
The 2026 Faith & Action Spring Conference keynote speaker will help sort answers to those questions. On March 19, hear Chanequa Walker-Barnes, PhD, give uplifting and concrete steps on how to change our perspective to develop resistance and restore connection. Her presentation, “From Trauma to Transformation: Healing Pathways for Children, Families, and Leaders,.” Dr. Walker-Barnes will draw upon psychology, public health, and spirituality to not only see the everyday trauma we are experiencing but to help us develop intentional strategies to heal – ourselves and others.
Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch, Director of the Faith & Action Project, expressed enthusiasm for this year’s conference speaker, Dr. Walker-Barnes, citing not only her breadth of experience and distinctive perspective, but also her ability to equip participants with trauma-informed frameworks and practical tools.
“Of course, we care deeply about those experiencing poverty,” Rabinowitch said. “But those engaged in this work often carry the same weariness as the people they serve. This is not only about finding solutions—it is about transformation.”
Each year, the Faith & Action Project offers a Spring conference as one of the many ways to “connect, amplify, and accelerate” the work being done in our community across multiple sectors. The Faith & Action Spring Conference is open to the public, particularly those in a faith-based setting, who are looking to connect with peers and impact poverty in Marion County.
The focus of the conference sessions this year will be to incorporate mental health sensitivity in all areas that poverty touches – food insecurity, housing crisis, underemployment, etc. Physical health challenges and intergenerational trauma, as well as the current social climate, are issues that magnify mental health issues. The hope of these training sessions is to not only increase awareness on the issue but to foster change for long-term community improvement.
According to Rabinowitch, past workshop attendees report that they attend the Faith & Action events to not only be informed, but to be inspired by the work of others. She said that while it is important to emphasize the work of local partners at these events, it is also critical that leaders are challenged to go further. “Renowned speakers help us think about new things, making us feel uncomfortable so that we can grow,” she said.
No matter what denomination or setting the participants represent, those who participate in the Faith & Action conference are committed to helping Marion County promote the human dignity of all people. Join us on March 19 to be a part of that. Register here.
Attendance in the morning session is a prerequisite for organizations wanting to apply for a Faith & Action grant. The Faith & Action Project is supported by: Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund, Lumina Foundation, and the Petticrew Foundation.
