Join ASGW in Puerto Rico January 30-February 1, 2020

Join ASGW in Puerto Rico January 30-February 1, 2020

Dorado Del Mar Beach Resort

Dorado, Puerto Rico

Groups Work! Lighting Trails of Hope after the Storm

Grupos: Iluminando senderos de esperanza tras la tormenta

Hurricane Maria, the Category 4 storm that devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, flooded the streets, collapsed homes and left the entire territory without power.  It is estimated to have resulted in up to 5,000 fatalities in its aftermath.  Maria caused the longest blackout in U.S. history, leaving the entire island of 3.3 million people without power, including those in hospitals and nursing homes who relied on respirators. Almost two years later, the recovery is halting and rebuilding continues. 

The mental health impacts of this long lasting disaster and its daily assaults and stressors cannot be overestimated. Young children start crying when it rains because they are afraid it will never stop. The rates of depression and anxiety have skyrocketed. The suicide hotlines have seen a 230% increase. The island desperately needs trauma-informed care and assistance, not just for the people directly affected, but also for those who have been working tirelessly to rebuild.

ASGW, the Association for Specialists in Group Work, celebrates the power of groups to help and to rebuild by holding the biennial conference in Puerto Rico on January 30 to February 1, 2020 at the Embassy Suites Dorado Del Mar Beach Resort. It is the first national counseling association to hold a conference in Puerto Rico and this has never been a better time to do so. In addition to innovative learning opportunities group work practices, the conference is designed to include a service component to offer mental health and wellness services in a local school. Further, the conference will provide opportunities for local group workers to access the conference resources free or at a greatly reduced rate. Participants will have other opportunities to assist by donating to reputable organizations, purchasing local arts and crafts, and infusing funds into the local economy by simply showing up. 

Call for Program Reviewers

ASGW is looking for individuals willing to serve as program reviewers for its upcoming national conference. Expectations include: (1) ability to review and provide feedback for up to 15-20 conference proposals; (2) a professional identity as a group worker; and (3) an openness toward cultural inclusion.  All proposals will be distributed by August 15, 2019, and reviews will be due by September 15, 2019.  Reviewers who meet the above deadlines will have their names listed in the conference program.

Those interested should complete the reviewer application found here by May 31, 2019.

Call for Presenters

Interested in presenting or know someone who is?  The Call for Proposals for presentations will be from May 1 to August 1, with encouragement of proposals focusing on the themes of LatinX issues, disaster mental health, and the power of groups to rebuild community. Click here to submit a proposal.

Register and come join us as we join our efforts with the community.

https://asgw.regfox.com/asgw-conference

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