Tonier Cain will Share Message of Hope and Healing at Conference

Former crack addict and sexual assault victim, Tonier Cain, will bring her inspirational message to Detroit as the opening speaker for the third annual “Healing Neen Trauma-Informed Care Conference,” Oct. 19 thru Oct. 21st at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriott. Hosted by Neen Cares, Inc, the conference brings together experts from across the country to develop strategies for families, schools, corrections officers, social service and community-based providers to identify and treat trauma that causes addiction, violence, mental illness and other issues plaguing neighborhoods across America.

“Many people regard drug addicts and prison inmates as lost causes. That’s what they said about me when I was homeless and on drugs for 19 years,” says Cain. “We say not so. We say open your heart and mind, raise your voice, and lend a hand to help victims and survivors work their possibilities. We’re convening some of the foremost authorities on trauma, addiction, and violence to provide the tools to empower the entire village to contribute to the healing of victims of trauma and the healing of our community,” adds the internationally recognized survival coach.

Themed “Where’s There’s Breath There’s Life,” the conference will include workshops to help attendees understand how to create a trauma informed care environment, trauma informed, schools, substance abuse programs and even trauma informed corrections. Sessions on the agenda include: Developing Resilience in Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma, The Addiction Trauma Connection, and Human Trafficking. The conference has been approved for 14 hours of CE credits by the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative.

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) will play a significant role in the conference. MDOC’s director, Heidi Washington, will welcome the conference attendees, many of whom work in criminal justice, social services, substance abuse programs or related occupations. Additionally, the manager of Offender Success Administration for MDOC, Amanda Elliott, will lead a workshop on Trauma and Corrections.

Other accomplished speakers participating in the conference include: Dr. James Henry, co-founder and project director for the Western Michigan University Children's Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC); Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, senior clinical instructor at Michigan State University’s School of Social Work; and Rev. Mary A. Harris, a Chaplain laymen counselor through Forgotten Man Ministries at the Ingham County Jail with over two decades of experience working with women that suffer from addictions, domestic violence and mental illness.

Tonier Cain endured 19 years of drug addiction, three harrowing trips to a mental health facility, 31 failed rehab treatments, and 83 arrests before she learned that she suffered from untreated trauma and was being re-traumatized by the people and systems that were suppose to help her. Since exiting T.A.M.A.R.’s Children (Trauma, Addiction, Mental Health, and Recovery) in 2005, she has become a walking testimony to the resiliency of the human spirit.

Cain, an expert in Trauma-Informed Care, has consulted corrections officers, judges, and child service workers across the country and internationally. She was recognized by Florida Gov. Rick for her contributions to transforming the way their entire Department of Juvenile Justice serves children and adults. Cain released a poignant memoir, “Healing Neen,” and feature-length documentary of the same name, exposing her traumatic childhood filled with abuse and rape. Cain founded Neen Cares, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, to focus on improving the prospects of trauma survivors by providing the support they need to thrive.

Conference coordinators encourage anyone who works with people who may have experienced trauma to attend. For registration and more information visit www.neencares.org or email Lisa Tabler, lisa@neencares.org.