On July 23 and 24, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona hosted its largest and most vibrant conference yet, bringing together 900 passionate participants. The theme of the milestone event was "Prevention Made Visible is Joy."
From the moment participants arrived, joy was palpable in every detail of the convening. Our team worked to weave the theme into every aspect so that joy wasn’t just a concept, but a lived experience for all who attended.
One of the greatest joys was the increased access we were able to provide for attendees across Arizona. This year, we more than doubled the number of scholarships, offering 130 registration scholarships with a focus on rural areas. To further extend our support, we also covered hotel accommodations for these rural scholarship recipients. This was made possible by the Department of Child Safety Office of Prevention, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and Casey Family Programs.
Attendees were especially inspired by our exceptional keynote speakers, who united in sparking joy and reminding everyone of the profound value of connection and mutual support through their unique and uplifting stories. The energy in the room was contagious as each speaker highlighted how joy, compassion, and belongingness can transform our communities and lives.
The conference content resonated with attendees in both their professional and personal roles. One attendee reflected, “There were times when I took a moment to reflect on myself as a parent, not only thinking about the community I serve but also in my own personal life. I very much appreciate the opportunity to attend and be able to share and gather resources and support.”
When asked about the most valuable part of the conference, another attendee shared, “Every. Single. Thing. There wasn't one situation where I did not learn how to better engage within my community and with clients. This experience was worth so much.”
Attendees will go on to positively impact an estimated 204,627 families based on the number of families they serve.
The “Pearls of Joy” reception culminated the 30th anniversary celebration with ample joyful elements, including a bubble house, friendship bracelet-making, temporary tattoos and, of course, connecting with peers while enjoying delicious food – two essential ingredients for joy in every community.
As we celebrate three decades of this incredible conference, we look forward to continuing to make prevention visible and spreading the joy that comes with it. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this milestone event a joyful success!
Photos from the "Pearls of Joy" 30th Annual Reception. Left to right 1) Prevent Child Abuse Arizona staff smiling with pinwheels while welcoming people to the reception. 2). Attendees making friendship bracelets! 3) Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Marketing and Development Coordinator, Sara Rivas, smiling while dancing with attendees.
