Transforming Our Community Seminar

Welcome to the Transforming Our Community Seminar! Join us at the Cumberland Community Church for an enlightening seminar focused on Poverty, Mental Health & Social Justice, and Community Engagement.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Learn how to serve with dignity and identify the strengths already present in your community.
  
• Explore ways to build impactful partnerships with schools, creating opportunities to strengthen their support systems.
  
• Discover innovative approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty, including financial empowerment and advocating for systemic change.
  
• Gain actionable insights on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating support structures that advocate for justice, equity, and well-being for all.
  

You will also hear from a powerful panel of community leaders who will share their firsthand experiences, discussing solutions for strengthening families and creating real opportunities for change.

Registration Details:

As part of your registration, you’ll choose one morning session and one afternoon session to attend. This ensures you can fully engage with the topics most relevant to you while allowing us to provide a more personalized and impactful experience for all attendees. Review the session descriptions and key topics in the agenda to select the ones that align with your goals and passions.

Limited Availability:

• Seats for each session are limited, so early registration is highly encouraged to secure your preferred options.

****Lunch will be provided***

Info: Discover the transformative power of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and the principles outlined in When Helping Hurts. This session explores how to Serve With Dignity and identify the existing strengths within a community to foster meaningful change. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to empower your organization or church to engage effectively and build stronger, more united communities.

Key Topics: Community Engagement, Local Missions Ministry, Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), Serving with Dignity, Principles from "When Helping Hurts"

Info: Explore a proven model that empowers local organizations—including government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based groups—to guide individuals and families toward lasting economic self-sufficiency. This session highlights practical strategies for bridging the gap between crisis intervention and sustainable transformation. Discover how to mobilize community volunteers, foster leadership development, and advocate for systemic change to dismantle barriers that perpetuate poverty. Key takeaways include tools for community collaboration, volunteer engagement, and effective advocacy to create a lasting impact.

Key Topics: Overcoming Poverty, Volunteer and Leadership Development, Established Framework, Advocacy, Community Collaboration

Info: Discover how leaders can foster love, unity, and reconciliation across race, class, and culture. This session will share an inspiring story that highlights the importance of standing against division and prioritizing care for marginalized communities. With a focus on God’s heart for justice and compassion, participants will explore practical ways to embody these principles in their leadership, inspiring transformative change within their organizations and communities.

Key Topics: Unity and reconciliation, God’s prioritization of justice and compassion, advocating for marginalized groups in leadership, fostering inclusion.

Info: Learn how to create impactful partnerships between schools and organizations by aligning missions, conducting needs assessments, and adopting proven strategies. This session introduces a practical framework for building supportive, mutually beneficial relationships with schools, designed to promote collaboration and measurable results. Walk away inspired to deepen your community involvement and amplify positive outcomes for both students and your organization.

Key Topics: Partnership Structure, Relationship Building, Resource Allocation, Needs Assessments, Volunteer training, Partnership Agreements

Info: Learn how financial education, paired with a supportive community, can break the cycle of poverty. This session introduces Faith & Finances, a program built on biblical principles, to equip materially poor individuals with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively. Designed for diverse groups—such as high school youth, newlyweds, or those new to financial literacy—participants will also gain practical insights to launch and lead financial education initiatives within their organizations. This is your chance to champion financial empowerment as a pathway to prosperity.

Key Topics: Faith & Finances, Financial Literacy, Breaking the Poverty Cycle, Biblical Foundations on Financial management, Financial Education programs

Info: Uncover the intricate links between poverty, social isolation, and mental health, and explore the transformative potential of integrating mental health care into community support systems. This session will delve into strategies to expand access to care, foster trauma-informed approaches, and tackle poverty-related stress while promoting resilience within communities. Participants will gain actionable insights on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating support structures that advocate for justice, equity, and well-being for all.

Key Topics: Mental health care access, trauma-informed care, poverty-related stress, community resilience, breaking the stigma around mental health.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cumberland Community Church, 3059 South Cobb Drive Southeast, Smyrna, United States