The conference, which is sponsored by the community’s State of the Child Committee, consisted of numerous different workshops for local professionals to attend. Workshop topics centered around supporting youth and their families.

WCC President Patty Pfeiffer acknowledged the impact that the conference attendees have on children in the community. “As part of our local educational system, we here at WCC know the importance of those formative childhood years and how the support that our children receive can shape them and propel them toward a successful future,” she said.

Denise Ryan served as the event’s keynote speaker. Ryan is a Certified Speaking Professional, a designation held by less than 10% of professional speakers. She has worked with a wide variety of organizations that help children and families across the nation.

Colleen Kosinski, State of the Child Committee member, said the committee was grateful to the College for hosting the event. “This conference allows people from varied disciplines across eastern North Carolina to come together to learn, be inspired, and network with other youth- and family-serving people and programs,” she said.