The much-anticipated Many Voices, One Vision Prevention Summit ignited collaborative change on April 30 and May 1, successfully drawing in over 200 attendees from Palmdale and across the Antelope Valley. The inaugural event, hosted at the Palmdale Oasis Recreation Center, was a catalyst in creating real solutions for community health and vitality.
Over the one-and-a-half-day event, the summit featured interactive workshops, guest speakers, action planning sessions and a showcase where participants could learn about local and regional prevention programs.
“This was more than a conference,” said Mayor Richard Loa. “The summit dismantled the silos that too often exist within communities. Individuals and organizations are making significant strides in improving the wellbeing of Palmdale and the Antelope Valley, but true change emerges when we combine our efforts.”
Expert facilitators, Louis Alloro and Talma Shultz of The Wellbeing Lab powered by Champions of Change, guided attendees in addressing critical areas such as mental health, substance abuse, violence prevention and financial insecurity, all aimed at preventing further illness, disease, addiction and other challenges. Using an Appreciative Inquiry approach, they took participants through a transformative process of discovering strengths, dreaming about the future, designing proactive strategies and ultimately delivering the necessary changes to foster a healthier and more resilient community.
The summit emphasized the importance of unified efforts in tackling the region’s pressing concerns, including housing costs leading to homelessness, economic challenges with elevated unemployment rates, mental health crises exacerbated by provider shortages, high rates of child abuse and significant health disparities.
“As a community, we are stronger when we work together,” said Mayor Pro Tem Laura Bettencourt. “The Many Voices, One Vision Prevention Summit is a perfect example of what happens when we unite across sectors to tackle the challenges we face. By continuing to collaborate, we will build a healthier, more resilient Palmdale and Antelope Valley for future generations.”
One of the event’s highlights was the keynote speech by Johnny Crowder, mental health advocate and founder of Cope Notes, who inspired the audience to build cross-industry connections and break stigmas through open communication. By creating an opportunity for collaboration among business and community leaders, health practitioners, educators and passionate individuals, the Many Voices, One Vision Prevention Summit laid the groundwork for creative strategies to create a healthier, more resilient Palmdale and Antelope Valley.
For more information on the summit, please contact Deputy City Manager Nardy Lopez at NLopez@cityofpalmdaleca.gov.