Annual Conference

2013 SVN Annual Conference
"Connecting the Dots"
Helping Families, Engaging Communities, Enriching All



May 29-June 1, 2013

Hyatt Regency
370 King Street West
Toronto, ON

THE RATE of $149 IS AVAILABLE UNTIL MAY 7,2013
Rooms are available for $149/night HERE



Plenary Speakers

Sarah Cannon, Executive Director Parents for Children's Mental Health

Sarah Cannon's passion and desire to make a difference in the world of Children's Mental Health began 10 years ago when her daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The diagnosis thrust Sarah and her family into a world of uncertainty, isolation, and confusion that she would not have imagined possible when one's child is ill.

Shortly after her daughter's diagnosis, Sarah's husband also diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, took his life. Sarah made a commitment that she would dedicate her energies to ensuring that her daughter, and the thousands of children like her would not meet that same fate. Most recently she is a member of the Consumer Partnership Theme Groups - advising the Ministry of Health on the 10-Year Mental Health Strategy for Long Term Health, she is a member of the Child and Youth Advisory Committee to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, she is Chair of the Parent Advisory Committee of Niagara Child and Youth Services, and is a Board member of the Ontario Association for Suicide Prevention.

Pamela Cross, Luke's Place, Ontario
Pamela Cross is a feminist lawyer who works in the violence against women sector. She is well known and respected in legal reform circles, particularly for her expertise on family law issues as they relate to violence against women. Pamela works primarily with Luke's Place Support and Resource Centre for Women and Children. Pamela has worked as an educator and trainer on the topic of violence against women and the law for many years. She was a member of Ontario's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and of the Management Committee of Family Law Education for Women (FLEW), Ontario's largest public legal education project about family law for women. She has developed and delivered a number of online courses on family and criminal law and violence against women.

Pamela is a member of the teaching faculty with the National Judicial Institute, where she plans and delivers educational programs on violence against women to Canadian judges. She recently completed the development of violence against women curriculum for law schools in a project with the Law Commission of Ontario. With Luke's Place Support and Resource Centre, Pamela is leading the development and delivery of online resources and training for frontline workers who support unrepresented women through family court as well as in-person training on the family court process for unrepresented women. She is also the lead trainer for Family Court Support Workers in Ontario.

Come Laugh with SVN!

Second City Comedy Club, Toronto

On Thursday Night, Conference Attendees will have the option to attend a private cocktail reception at the legendary comedy club that helped launch stars from Mike Myers to Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert to Tina Fey - The Second City imprint is felt across every entertainment medium. After dining on delicious pizza, sushi, sliders, and more the group will settle down to enjoy the night's performance in the main theater. Second City is located directly across the street from the Hyatt Regency, no transportation needed. Be sure to sign up when you register as spaces are limited.

Cost is $60 per person and includes the private reception with heavy appetizers and admission to the show.