Children’s Network of San Bernardino County
Children’s Network of San Bernardino County is a collaborative nonprofit focused on preventing child abuse and improving outcomes for at-risk youth and families.
AUDIENCE: 400 child welfare professionals + 50 foster/TAY youth
LOCATION: San Bernardino, California
CHALLENGE: To reignite hope and resilience among frontline professionals and youth attending the Children’s Network Conference.
CARA BROOKINS’ SOLUTION:
Delivered 45-minute keynote: “Rise & Resilience: The True Story”
Integrated Q&A and meet & greet
Message aligned with youth development and trauma-informed care
At the annual Children’s Network Conference in San Bernardino, more than 400 professionals in social work, public health, education, and youth advocacy gathered to strengthen their commitment to protecting vulnerable children. The event also welcomed over 50 foster and TAY (transition-age youth) attendees, making the message of resilience more personal than ever.
Cara Brookins delivered the opening keynote, “Rise & Resilience: The True Story,” weaving her own journey of survival and rebuilding with lessons directly applicable to trauma-informed work and youth mentorship.
Her words offered frontline workers not just validation, but actionable encouragement. For the young attendees, it was a rare and powerful moment to hear from someone who had lived through the impossible, and came out stronger.
Cara’s message was echoed throughout the rest of the day in workshops and informal conversations, reinforcing the power of storytelling in healing, growth, and community impact.
“Cara’s talk was so great! People really got the message of hope and perseverance.”
— Children’s Network of San Bernardino County
