RETREAT
TRAUMA INFORMED RETREAT FOR
KINSHIP, FOSTER & ADOPTIVE MOMS, AND CASAS
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Join us for Bithiah’s Heart Retreat April 13th-15th, 2023 at the beautiful Liberty Station campus on the San Diego Bay.
Liberty Station served as the US Naval Training Center from 1923 to 1997. Today, Liberty Station has been transformed into a 361 acre, historic all-in-one hub to coffee shops, ice cream shops, stylish bars, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, several small museums, a luxury Cinema, and the Liberty Public Market which is filled with gourmet eateries and grocery shops. The Hotel District at Liberty Station sits along the waterfront bay of San Diego.
Our retreat and conference will take place in a few different areas of the Liberty Station Campus. Retreat ticket price includes all of the following; A 2-night stay at the Liberty Station Marriott, free shuttle service to and from the San Diego Int. Airport, all training and breakout sessions, 8 certified training hours, 2 private event dinners at restaurants located on the Liberty Station campus, 2 pre-packed continental style breakfasts, and one activity of your choice (see Saturday schedule for hosted activity choices).
Retreat Ticket Options:
- Double occupancy (own bed) $529 per person-SOLD OUT
- Four person occupancy (shared bed) $399 per person-SOLD OUT
- Conference Only Ticket Option: Friday April 14th, 10:00am- 5:00pm $160 per person.
This year we are offering a one day -conference only- ticket. Conference only ticket includes; all Friday training and breakout sessions, a certificate for 7 certified training hours and free on-site parking. We will break for lunch. All attendees are responsible for their own lunch
* For retreat option, please let us know when registering if you have roommate requests, otherwise we will choose your roommates for you and parking is $19 per night, you will be responsible for parking fees at check-out.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Dr. Lucia Lopez Plunkett
Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Expert
Kanisha Tillman
Trained Cosmetology Instructor and Founder of Tutus And Tennis Shoes
Richard Gierman
Former Foster Youth and Advocate For Queer Foster Youth
Jeena Wilder
Ethical Transracial Adoption Advocate, Kinship Mom, and Social Media Influencer
Michelle Thompson
Trauma Informed Educator, Author, California District Wide Trainer, Chief Executive Director of Bithiah’s Family Services and Adoptive Parent
Jaymi Lynn MSW
Former Foster Youth, Social Worker, Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Mom
Melissa Guida-Richards
International Adoptee, Author, and Podcast Host of Adoptee Thoughts
Dyanna Sousa
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Foster Adoptive Parent, and San Diego Site Director for Bithiah’s Family Services
Grace Favatella
Lead Trainer for Bithiah’s Family Services; specializing in evidence based de-escalation strategies, and Site Director of LA County Bithiah’s Family Services
TENTATIVE RETREAT SCHEDULE
Thursday:
3-4pm-Check in at hotel lobby and Bithiah’s Heart table
5:30pm-Hosted dinner at a nearby restaurant (5 min walk)
7:30-10pm-S’mores and breakout groups at the hotel fireside meeting area.
Friday:
Breakfast and coffee on your own.
*Options-the swag bag you will receive at check-in will have a pre-packed continental breakfast (muffin, granola bar, OJ, banana, apple and iced coffee) and your hotel room is equipped with a Keurig and refrigerator. If you are looking for a hot breakfast and hot coffee, the hotel lobby has a coffee shop and bistro or you can walk 5 mins to a Subway and Starbucks.
10:00am-Main Session in the Liberty Hall banquet room on the main floor of our hotel.
11:15am-Breakout sessions
1:00pm-Lunch break. All attendees are on their own for lunch.
3:00pm-Main Session at Liberty Hall banquet room
4:00pm-Breakout sessions
5-5:30pm-Pick up training hour certificates from Michelle and Dyanna in the Liberty Hall banquet room.
7:30pm-Hosted dinner at a nearby restaurant. This restaurant will be on the opposite end of the Liberty Station campus. We will have a few cars shuttling women over or enjoy the 1 mile walk with your new friends.
Saturday:
Our FUN day!
Breakfast and coffee on your own.
*Options-the swag bag you will receive at check-in will have a pre-packed continental breakfast (muffin, granola bar, OJ, banana, apple and iced coffee). If you are looking for a hot breakfast and hot coffee, the hotel lobby has a coffee shop and bistro or you can walk 5 mins to a Subway and Starbucks.
10:00am-12:00pm-Hosted activity (choose one)
- Paddle board or Kayak on the Bay right in front of our hotel
- Walk the entire Liberty Station Path (3 miles) and enjoy an iced coffee or iced tea (hosted) at Moniker Coffee Co
- 45 min therapy session with a Clinician from Azusa Pacific (which will include a free follow up therapy session on zoom, one week later)
11:00am-hotel check out. Feel free to leave your bags with the front desk and enjoy our hosted activities.
If you have any retreat questions email dsousa@bithiahs.org
