Connect Detroit and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority partnered to host the third annual Workforce Resiliency Conference from 8.a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Cobo Center. The conference focused on building resiliency in the workplace for the world of work through sound behavioral health and employability skill-building and practices.

“In today’s complex economy, it takes mental fortitude to navigate potential job pitfalls, the unexpected, as well as various dynamics such as working in a team, while also remaining a positive contributor,”said Dierk L. Hall, Connect Detroit President and CEO. “This conference, along with Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, serve as vehicles to provide the young people of Detroit with a foundation that will promote lasting success for the future of our youth and our community.”

The nearly 600 youth that attended the conference are engaged in summer employment and training with the support of the DWMHA, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and other programs.

The daylong event featured motivational and educational speakers, breakout workshops, tours of downtown Detroit and a resource fair.

Workshops focused on topics such as building a resume, preparing for a changing job market, guarding your online brand, recognizing and responding to bullying, and dealing with conflict and environmental trauma.

In addition to having clinical specialists, workforce development coordinators and youth assistants from DWMHA leading workshops on mental health and wellness, Detroit nonprofit and business professionals shared their personal experiences and expertise, speakers included:

• Brandon Daniels, Relationship Banker, Level One Bank
• Devon Bushkin, Director of Workforce Development, The Greening of Detroit
• Rasheda Kamaria Williams, Chief Empowering Officer/Founder, Empowered Flower Girl, LLC

“DWMHA is proud to partner with Connect Detroit to help prepare our young people emotionally and mentally for the workforce,” said Andrea L. Smith, MSW, Director of Clinical Practice Improvement, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority. “Through our investment, attendees walked away with the necessary tools to successfully navigate the everyday stresses in the workplace, as well as better understand their overall mental health, empowering them to become meaningful contributors to the community as a whole.”

Grow Detroit’s Young Talent is a citywide summer jobs program that trains and employs young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 for six weeks in July and August. More than 8,000 youth are participating in the program this year.