Annual Convention
Day 1 – Thursday June 18
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM CT
Opening Ceremony: Showing Up for Each Other
For all attendees
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM CT
Friends Coffeehouse
For kids, tweens, teens, adults | Facilitators: Eric Jackson & Joel Korte
To kick things off at this year’s convention, we’re hosting a Friends Coffeehouse. Participants are encouraged to play a song, perform stand-up, rap, or read poetry! If you are interested, please submit a video of what you will perform, not more than four minutes, on our online form here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Eric Jackson (eric.jackson@friendswhostutter.org).
New Parents
A conversation for parents new to Friends | Facilitators: Erin Samenuk, Barbara Saleh, Rick Arenas, Stacy Jolley
Returning Parents
What does showing up for our children look like? | Facilitators: Lee Caggiano, Tricia Zebrowski, Cheryl Goettsche
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM CT
Panel: How We Show Up
For all attendees | Panelists: John Hendrickson, Akaiya Bryant, Onur Tekiner, Jackson Hunter, Gianna Parisi
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CT
Teen Group Hangout
For teens who stutter
Happy Hour & Group Hangout
For adults who stutter, parents, SLPs | Facilitator: Stacy Jolley
Day 2 – Friday June 19
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CT
Max Out Challenge
For all kids ages 6-9 | Facilitator: Bridget Allen Chapman
Improv
For middle school & high school | Facilitator: Nina G
Writing Our Lives
For middle school & high school (limited seats) | Facilitator: Barry Yeoman
Working with an award-winning journalist, you’ll have a chance to tap deep into your creative energy and explore the power of words. You can write on your computer, or use pen and paper instead: whatever inspires you most.
Research Update
For adults who stutter, parents, SLPs | Facilitators: Eric Jackson & Nan Bernstein Ratner
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM CT
Drawing
For kids | Facilitator: Kristel Kubart
Bring paper and markers to have fun drawing and sharing about stuttering!
Making choices and challenging the “shoulds”
For middle school & high school | Facilitators: Caryn Herring & Mark O’Malia
Often people who stutter are told what they “should” do with their stuttering. This workshop will empower participants to question what is best for them while highlighting what they find truly important.
Let's Talk About Struggle
For adults who stutter, parents, SLPs | Facilitator: Vivian Sisskin
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM CT
Keynote by Barry Yeoman
For all attendees
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
Teen Group Hangout
For teens who stutter
Happy Hours & Group Hangout
For adults who stutter, parents, SLPs | Facilitator: Jessica Hudson
Day 3 – Saturday June 20
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CST
Keynote by Joel Korte
For all attendees
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM CST
Lunch & Games
For all kids ages 6-9 | Facilitator: Bridget Allen Chapman
Hang out and enjoy your lunch and games with Friends!
Mindfulness
For middle school, high school, adults who stutter | Facilitator: Michael Boyle
Messages for our children
For parents & SLPs | Facilitator: Heather Grossman
Children who stutter often receive the message that fluent speech is better than stuttering. Once this core cognition is created, it unfortunately leads to increased physical struggle to be fluent and engagement in an ever-increasing list of avoidances. This workshop will help participants be aware of ways to send healthier messages of self-acceptance and self-compassion to children who stutter.
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM CST
Closing Ceremony
For all attendees | Facilitator: Lee Caggiano
One last time to show up for each other as we end our first virtual convention
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CST
Counseling Skills for Speech Therapists
For SLPs | Facilitator: Jason Cassell
In this workshop we will explore the qualities of an effective counselor and help speech therapists feel more comfortable providing counseling to those who stutter. This workshop will also provide SLPs with techniques to help them engage their clients, improve their listening skills, and manage the intense affect that often arises.