Annual Conference – REACH PROGRAM

Target Audience: REACH Program Students & Advisors

REACH Student Registration & Fee: None. No registration or cost (bring your own lunch)

REACH Advisor Conference Fees:

REACH Advisor Registration: Required

  1. Go to 2B CONTINUED Conference Webpage
  2. Click the “Register” button
  3. Choose Ticket Type
  4. Checkout

REACH Conference Schedule

Just Look Up: A Radical Student-Experiment in Human Connection
Joe Beckman, Till360

We’re more connected than ever—but somehow, more alone. In this powerful, no-flua
keynote, best-selling author and keynote speaker Joe Beckman issues a bold challenge to
students: what if real courage today isn’t found in clicks, likes, or followers… but in actually
looking up? Blending raw stories, live music, and honest moments that cut through the
noise, Joe invites students into something bigger than a screen—each other. Just Look Up
isn’t just a talk. It’s a call to wake up, show up, and fight for the kind of connection we’re all
starving for.

Living Untangled: Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Struggle
Alexa Marquette (Doerr), Co-Author of Grapevine: A Mother and Daughter’s Tangled
Journey Through an Eating Disorder

In this honest and uplifting session, Alexa Marquette (Doerr) shares her journey of healing
from an eating disorder and the life-changing lessons she’s learned about identity,
strength, and self-worth. With candor and compassion, Alexa oaers tools and insights to
help teens and young adults untangle who they are from what they’ve been through—and
reclaim their confidence and voice. This empowering presentation is ideal for schools,
youth organizations, and student groups looking to create supportive spaces for growth
and self-discovery.

Fetchin’ into the Future 2.0: Role of Therapy Dogs in our Nation’s Mental Health Crisis
Amy Walz, You’re Not Alone Executive Director

Discover the transformative power of the human-animal bond in this inspiring story of one family’s journey from dysfunction to connection. Hear how the unconditional love of a puppy helped mend emotional wounds, rebuild relationships, and restore mental health and wellbeing. This presentation explores the profound impact pets can have when integrated into our mental health toolbox—offering comfort, connection, healing -ultimately, the therapeutic role animals can play in creating healthier, happier lives.

Lunch (Students and nonpaying advisors bring your own)/Vendor Fair/Obstacle Course

Unshakeable: Lead with Values, Not Vibes
Joe Beckman, Till360

Confidence isn’t about hype—it’s about being clear on what matters. In this bold, hands-on
session, you’ll uncover your top 3 personal values and create your own Values Card to
carry with you. This isn’t just an activity—it’s a mindset shift. When you know what you
stand for, decisions get easier, leadership gets clearer, and self-respect becomes nonnegotiable.

Evaluation/Closing

REACH Conference Learning Objectives:

Learners will:

  • Explore the impact of screen overuse on mental health, relationships, and real-world
  • connections.
  • Engage in a mindset shift that redefines courage as showing up authentically and connecting faceto-face.
  • Commit to small, meaningful actions that foster stronger peer relationships and a more
    connected school culture.
  • Learn how to use the Venn Diagram of Self to separate identity from struggle and highlight inner
    strengths.
  • Gain tools to help young people recognize their worth, build resilience, and release shame.
  • Discover how personal stories can spark healing, hope, and authentic self-expression.
  • Gain knowledge of animals and the chemical reactions the human brain experiences when seeing
    a pet and being able to pet an animal.
  • Gain understanding of therapy animals and the healing power they can provide in school
  • Gain knowledge of the eaect of having therapy animals in schools and the outcomes these
    animals provide.
  • Identify personal top three core values through guided reflection and peer interaction.
    11.Create a personalized Values Card as a tangible tool for everyday leadership and decisionmaking.
  • Develop confidence to lead authentically by aligning actions with personal values, even in highpressure situations

2B CONTINUED Conference Schedule

Midmorning Snack Break/Resource Vendor Fair

Suicide Prevention in Our Highest Risk Populations
Dr. Kristine Knudten, Glencoe Regional Health Chief Medical Officer, Family Physician

This session explores the populations most at risk for suicide, examining contributing factors unique to each group. Attendees will gain insight into the underlying causes and learn strategies to better support individuals facing these elevated risks.

Creating Phone-Free Schools
Ryan Hauge, ROCORI Secondary Principal

This presentation will present attendees with research surrounding the dangers of cell phone use in schools as well as what we can do to curb the problem. This is a societal problem that will take partnerships between school and home to create meaningful change. 

Lunch/Resource Vendor Fair

Fetchin’ into the Future 2.0: Role of Therapy Dogs in our Nation’s Mental Health Crisis
Amy Walz, You’re Not Alone Executive Director

Discover the transformative power of the human-animal bond in this inspiring story of one family’s journey from dysfunction to connection. Hear how the unconditional love of a puppy helped mend emotional wounds, rebuild relationships, and restore mental health and wellbeing. This presentation explores the profound impact pets can have when integrated into our mental health toolbox—offering comfort, connection, healing -ultimately, the therapeutic role animals can play in creating healthier, happier lives.

Evaluation/Closing

REACH Conference Learning Objectives:

Learners will:

  • Identify the populations and age groups at the highest risk for suicide and understand the
    demographic and psychosocial factors involved.
  • Explore possible reasons behind increased suicide risk in these groups.
  • Discuss evidence-based approaches and practical strategies to provide eaective support and
    interventions to persons with a mental health challenge.
  • Review research on harmful eaects of cell phones in schools
  • Gain knowledge of various strategies being employed in schools nationwide.
  • Identify tangible things they can implement immediately in a school setting.
  • Gain knowledge of animals and the chemical reactions the human brain experiences when seeing
    a pet and being able to pet an animal.
  • Gain understanding of therapy animals and the healing power they can provide to a school,
    corporation or senior facility.
  • Gain knowledge of the eaect of having therapy animals in schools and the outcomes they provide.
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