Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — July 9, 2025 — NEA Divine Intervention announced it will be holding its third annual Together We Can Stop the Stigma Conference in September.

The conference will be Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 2580 S. Caraway Road. Based in Jonesboro, NEA Divine Intervention is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals and families affected by addiction and mental health challenges.

NEA Divine Intervention peer recovery support specialist and administrative assistant Bryttney Joslin said the conference was created to bring together people, advocates and organizations to aiming to raise awareness and support for substance abuse and mental health disorders, as well as the stigma surrounding them.

“We are more than the sum of our parts and pasts,” Joslin said. “We are what we choose to become — rewriting our stories and reclaiming our voices. In Jonesboro, this September, we unite to stop the stigma and affirm that recovery is possible for everyone.”

During the conference, participants will engage in various sessions, panels, and workshops focusing on key recovery issues. These include topics of recovery stigma, traumatic childhood experiences, resources for nonprofit and for-profit agencies, and more. Vendors will also have exhibits at the conference.

Guest speakers include Staci James, founder and executive director of the Hope Movement Coalition; Amanda Vardaman, program coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Human Services; Kimberley Boyett, director of Crisis and Forensics Services with Arisa Health; Medina King-Harris, director of Addictive Disease Services for Volunteers of America Southeast; Shawn McCown, executive director of the Serenity Park Recovery Center; Andre Carter, an AmeriCorps VISTA grant writer at A-KEEP; and Lester Young, Jr., founder and executive director of Path2Redemption.

While the conference is always free for participants, donations are accepted. Lunch will be provided.

Joslin said there are a limited number of scholarship rooms available to support participants traveling 100 miles or more and who need lodging assistance. Those interested in hotel scholarships are encouraged to contact the organization for eligibility and availability.

Although participants can pre-register up to the day of the conference or at the event itself, Joslin said the deadline for vendors and scholarship applicants is set for Aug. 1. Vendor spots are $50. There are only four vendor spots left.

Joslin also noted that NEA Divine Intervention will be holding a Chill and Grill Fundraiser the day before to allow participants to network before the conference.

This fundraiser will be Sunday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at Divine Intervention’s newly opened facility, located at 2222 Spence Circle, to kick-off the conference. It will have meals at $20 per plate, games, a live auction benefitting recovery services, tours of the organization’s newest facility and more.

For registration, scholarship room requests, vendor inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or additional information, contact Joslin at 870-206-8406 or email her at bryttney@neadivine.org. To register or become a vendor, click here.