Take Action Together: Building Resilient Families

Facilitated discussions with Dr. Graves and Dr. Williams addressing stress management, emotional wellbeing, and available community support. Participants will engage through guided conversation and Q&A, reducing stigma and encouraging early help-seeking behaviors in a format that supports flexibility and inclusion.

6p - 8p (Dinner at 6p, program at 6:30p)

With Guest Speaker: Dr. Eshele Williams, PsyD, LMFT

In an era of constant transition and high-demand caregiving, resilience isn’t just about "pushing through"—it’s about knowing how to restore what has been worn away. Join us for a transformative session with Dr. Eshele Williams, a renowned Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting families through trauma, foster care, and systemic change.

In this deep-dive workshop, Dr. Eshele will guide us through three pillars of modern family resilience:

• Understanding "Emotional Erosion": Learn to identify the subtle, gradual wearing down of our mental and emotional reserves caused by chronic stress and the "weight" of caregiving.
• The Power of "Soul Naps": Move beyond basic self-care and explore the concept of intentional, restorative rest designed to recharge your spirit and emotional capacity.
• Reclaiming Your Time: Practical, realistic strategies for making mental wellness and healing a non-negotiable part of your family’s daily rhythm.

Whether you are navigating a major life transition or simply looking to strengthen your family’s emotional foundation, Dr. Eshele’s "Te-Heal-Ya" approach offers the clinical insight and "lived truth" needed to help your family thrive, not just survive.

Dr. Eshele Williams, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Psychology with over two decades of experience in child welfare.As a Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, Educator, and Curriculum Developer Eshele uses a family systems approach to family and organizational transformation.Dr. Williams is the birth child of foster, adoptive and Kinships parents providing support over the last 39 years. She also grew up in informal kinship care with her maternal grandmother giving her the lived experience to meet the needs of children, parents, and professionals.

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With Guest Speaker: Dr. Alan-Michael Graves

Let’s be honest: Parenting is hard. In 2026, the world isn't getting any simpler, and the "crap" life throws at us—from social pressures to the digital grind—can feel overwhelming. If you’re tired of the sugar-coated advice and looking for an open dialogue that hits home, this session is for you.

Dr. Graves is bringing Straight Talk, No Chaser to the table. This isn't a lecture; it’s a safe space for parents to get real about the struggles of raising children in today's environment. We’re moving away from traditional labels and getting into the grit of how to actually handle the daily chaos.

What we’ll tackle together:

• Dealing with the "Crap" of 2026: A candid look at the unique stressors of this year and practical tools to navigate them without losing your cool.
• Creating a Safe Space at Home: How to build a foundation where your kids feel they can talk to you about anything, and where you feel supported too.
• Alternative Discipline for a New Era: Moving beyond outdated methods to find discipline techniques that actually work for children in 2026—fostering respect without the power struggle.

Come ready for an open dialogue. No judgment, no filters—just the real tools you need to build a resilient family and keep your peace of mind intact.

Dr. Alan-Michael S. Graves serves as the Senior Director of Teaching, Capacity Building and Policy Change with the Good Plus Foundation where he focuses on a broad range of multidisciplinary activities, from research and program development to training and advocacy for policy change. Currently leading a National Initiative on improving the practice of Fatherhood Engagement, Dr. Graves has worked in the human services field, with extensive experience as a facilitator and administrator, for both public and private agencies, for the past 20 years. He has brought these diverse perspectives to his work helping agencies and systems develop, implement and evaluate interagency systems of care, family partnerships and community programming.

We are committed to providing an inclusive experience for all. For general event inquiries, accessibility needs, or to request ADA accommodations, please contact the team at DACDC: Email: [email protected] | Phone: (310) 676-8352

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