Youth at Risk Conference
Changing the lives of youth workers–every year.
The YAR conference offers engaging workshops and the opportunity to obtain continuing education units (CEUs). Exhibitors across the region are present, and sponsors can partner with this uplifting event.
Located at Endicott College in Beverly, MA, the all-day conference is geared toward those working with and caring for youth in various settings—family, community, school, religious, healthcare, human service, and legal. Attendees include social workers, psychologists, youth counselors, family therapists, educators, school adjustment counselors, guidance counselors, community and public health workers, program managers, agency and organization CEOs, police officers, juvenile court personnel, lawyers, and volunteers. YAR presenters come from across the state and from a variety of sectors.
For updates and information on future conferences, join our email list by emailing yar@pw4c.org with your preferred address, phone and email.
2026 YAR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. John Gaines
Dr. John “Push” Gaines is a former at-risk kid turned CEO/Founder of nonprofit PUSH for Dreams, a best-selling author, renowned speaker, leadership consultant, and mentorship advocate. His message of pushing through adversity and defying the odds has transformed classrooms, school districts, and businesses across the nation.
Dr. Gaines has heartfelt enthusiasm for his audience and embraces crucial subject matters with a highly organic, kind-hearted approach fueled by positivity and the intrinsic desire to unite community. Dr. Gaines is celebrated for nurturing youth & professionals through his own trauma, life experience, and unique challenges that ultimately became the driving force behind his mission and genuine desire to elevate and motivate students, teachers, administrators, professionals, and communities. Dr. Gaines was named one of the “Top 10 Most Influential People of 2020” by YAHOO News 2020. Dr. Gaines’ ability to relate to his audiences and help them imagine greater possibilities makes him so unique.
Dr. Gaines earned his nickname “PUSH” because he believes in the power of perseverance and teaches others to “keep pushing” through life’s obstacles to become the best version of themselves.
He has devoted himself to the world community. He has proudly appeared as a guest speaker at universities, corporations, national conferences, nonprofit events, NBA skill camps, school assemblies, and youth camps nationwide. As a graduate of East Central University, where he was named Outstanding Student in Business and won a football championship as captain of the football team, he is the picture of success. With a Master’s degree in Business Leadership and a Doctorate in Business Administration, he demonstrates outstanding dedication and personal achievement.
His greatest joy is being a Husband to Emily and a father to Anorah, Benny, and Jonah.
The Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award honors the memory of an extraordinary social worker who was tragically killed in 2008 while doing the work that meant so much to her. Diruhi was deeply committed to her mission of helping at-risk youth and their families. She was known to many as a dedicated advocate for self-care and a source of support and encouragement for her colleagues. This award was created in her name to recognize those who, like Diruhi, make an outstanding impact on the community and the lives of our youth.
Diruhi Award Nominations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
+ When is the next conference?
Our next conference date is May 20, 2026 from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.
+ I am an expert in my field and am interested in presenting. Who do I contact?
Requests for Proposals (RFP) is CLOSED FOR 2026 - If you have any questions, please reach out to yar@pw4c.org. Thank you!
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We seek professionals who will share their knowledge, expertise and experience to address the multitude of issues faced by the youth we work with, their families as well as ourselves as providers.
Some examples of past presentation topics include: Access to Family Planning, Child Welfare, DEI, Domestic Violence, Education; such as school avoidance / school anxiety, Gender based violence, Grief, Homeless Youth, Immigration, Interventions MH, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, Parent Partners, Racial Equity/ DEI, Racial Trauma, Self-Care, Substance Use Disorders & Management, Trauma, etc.
+ Which CEUs are offered through the YAR conference?
The following CEU’s may be applied for in 2026:
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist)
- LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)
- NASW (National Association of Social Work)
- YAD (Youth Advocacy Division)
- CAFL (Children and Family Law)
+ How do I find the Youth at Risk Resource Guide?
You can find our comprehensive Guide at (https://yarguide.org)
Want to be added to the resource guide? Click here to fill out the request form: (https://form.jotform.com/231715729507157)
+ What is the Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award?
Each year, the Youth at Risk (YAR) conference honors a special person who lives or works in Merrimack Valley or Essex County and has made an outstanding contribution in supporting youth at risk.
The Diruhi Mattian Memorial Award honors the memory of an extraordinary social worker who was tragically killed in 2008. Diruhi was dedicated to her profession and always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people over and over again. The award was created in her name to recognize those who, like Diruhi, do outstanding work in the community for our youth.
**Previous Award Winners include: **
- 2010 - Mike Duda, YAR Founder and Pastor, First Church of Wenham
- 2011 - Kelly O'Conner, Afterschool Program Director, Gregg Neighborhood House
- 2012 - H. Bud Kelly, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- 2013 - Mark Libon, Vice President of Community-based Services, Lahey Health Systems
- 2014 - Donna Coe, Nurse Practitioner, Lynn Community Health Center
- 2015 - Patrick Foley, Adolescent Program Director, STARR Commonwealth
- 2015 - Fred Mathieu, Kids Club Program Director, Washington Street Baptist Church
- 2016 - Carol Ireland, VIP Team Advisor, Haverhill High School
- 2017 - Deb A. Morrison, MSW, LICSW, Kevin O'Grady School at North Shore Consortium in Beverly
- 2018 - Nancy Edman Earls, Director of the Newburyport Learning Enrichment Center (NLEC)
- 2019 - Eric Cousineau, Social Worker at the Greater Lowell Department of Children and Families
- 2021 - Michelle Lipinski, Northshore Recovery High School Principal
- 2022 - Carlos Mercado, Lowell Police Department
- 2023 - Anya McDavitt, Director of Youth Services at North Shore Community Mediation Center
- 2024 - Roberto Rios, Family Engagement Case Manager/Attendance Officer for the Lawrence School District
- 2025 - Sylvia Pastrana, Retired Student Support Coordinator at Haverhill Public Schools’ Gateway Academy
2026 Youth at Risk Conference Sponsors
TRAILBLAZERS
LEADER
AMBASSADOR
ADVOCATE
YAR 2026 Committee Members
Amy Ackroyd - Independent Consultant, Chair of YAR Committee
Stacie Bloxham - Essex County Sheriffs Department
Nicholas Bound - Department of Youth Services
Windi Bowditch - Northshore Education Consortium
Linnea Burrill - Department of Children & Families
AJ Cullen - Department of Developmental Disabilities
Kerry Fitzgerald - Pathways for Children
Stephanie Gargiulo- Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services, Co-chair of YAR Committee
Brian Gawlak - East Baptist Church
Staci Gergely - Essex County Juvenile Court Probation
Kimberly Hutchins - Private Practice Psychotherapist
Heyda Javier - Justice Resource Institute
Frantzie Kebreau - Gregg House
Tony Leone - NAGLY
Hailey MacDonald - Pathways for Children
Jennifer Mack - Youth Villages
Jennifer McMurray - Department of Mental Health
Lisa Morrow - Health Law Advocates
Lauri Rawls - Endicott College
Linda Richards - Department of Mental Health (Retired)
Lynn Rosenbaum - Pathways for Children
Meg Wasko - Endicott College
2025 Marked 25 Years of Youth at Risk
Please click on the 25 Years of YAR image below for a wonderful and comprehensive history of the Conference!
YAR Statement on Risk
Every generation of youth has faced and endured an ever-changing
landscape of physical, medical, social, emotional, economic, political
and environmental stresses, resulting in a wide range of risks to
their wellness and ability to achieve their full life potential.
As a community, the helping professions are at the front line of
identifying, mitigating, and minimizing the impact of these stresses on
our youth, their families, and communities. Risk, and its management
is a daily reality and responsibility for all our disciplines.
The Youth at Risk Committee does not use the term "risk" lightly or as
a pejorative. Rather, we endeavor to emphasize the importance of
being vigilant to the management of risk wherever it presents
itself in our communities and remain focused on empowering youth,
families and communities to actualize their innate hope and resiliency
to meet and manage the challenges presented.
Wherever our front lines take us, we need to be creative,
enthusiastic, and mutually supportive as we navigate a rapidly
changing world. Thank you for joining us in raising up our colleagues
and expanding our collective knowledge and expertise.
This is what the YAR Conference is all about. We look forward to
celebrating YAR together with you!
HAVE QUESTIONS? CHECK US OUT AT www.pw4c.org/youth-at-risk-conference OR
EMAIL US AT YAR@PW4C.ORG
WE’RE HERE TO HELP!