The 3rd Annual Nehemiah Project

Saturday, 20 April 2024 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM CDT

415 Park Street, Paducah, KY, 42001, United States

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All-Day Ticket Partial Approval - Free

Attendance is free, but please register in advance so we have an accurate count for each session's speakers and for lunch.

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Morning Session Ticket Partial Approval - Free

Attendance is free, but please register in advance so we have an accurate count for each session's speakers and for lunch.

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Afternoon Session Ticket Partial Approval - Free

Attendance is free, but please register in advance so we have an accurate count for each session's speakers and for lunch.

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Sale ends on 04/20/2024

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Saturday, 20 April 2024 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM CDT

Paducah-McCracken Co. Convention & Expo Center, Cumberland Room, 415 Park Street, Paducah, KY, 42001, United States.

The Merryman House Spiritual Enrichment Program warmly invites you to attend The 3rd Annual Nehemiah Project, presented by Baptist Health Paducah. This one-day conference will link a morning training opportunity for church leaders and members with an afternoon training for victim service providers, prosecutors, officers of the court, law enforcement agencies and hospital personnel.

The conference speakers will engage with attendees over a lunchtime Q&A panel. 

The event is free and open to all to attend, and lunch will be provided. Registration is required. 

Doors open at 8 a.m., and the conference will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center

www.merrymanhouse.org

Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center is committed to saving, building and changing the lives of those affected by domestic violence: men, women and children. It has been serving the eight-county Purchase Region of western Kentucky as the state-designated program and emergency shelter since 1978. Merryman House offers residential and non-residential programming. Merryman House serves hundreds of victims annually, and all services are free and confidential. MHDCC's Spiritual Enrichment Program exists to anchor survivors in the Christian faith to strengthen their resiliency; to serve the faith community by providing guidance on how to appropriately recognize and respond to domestic violence in the church; and, to restore the relationship between survivors and their place of worship through innovative partnerships.

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Sessions on Apr 20, 2024

08:30 AM

Welcome

08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
    Dr. Mary Foley
    Executive DirectorMerryman House Domestic Crisis Center
    Dr. Mary Foley serves as the Executive Director of the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and has since 2012. With more than 15 years of experience in working with victims of interpersonal crimes such as child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault, Dr. Foley uses her passion for justice, advocacy and victims’ rights to help create stronger and safer communities. Mary holds a Master’s degree from Murray State University in Clinical Psychology, and a doctorate degree from Western Kentucky University in Applied Psychology (PsyD) and is a licensed psychotherapist. Mary is certified as a domestic violence advocate through the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a lead instructor in the Coalition’s Certification Program responsible for training advocates state-wide. Mary has trained at the National Center on Substance Abuse, Trauma and Mental Health in providing trauma-informed care. Mary resides in western Kentucky with her husband of 23 years, Brian, and two sons, John Phillip and Thomas.
    https://www.merrymanhouse.org
    09:00 AM

    New Life and Hope after Domestic Violence

    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
      Autumn Miles
      Author, Speaker, Domestic Violence LifeWay Research Partner, Founder/CEOAutumn Miles Ministries
      Autumn is a teacher, preacher, author, podcaster, and the founder and CEO of Autumn Miles Ministries. She is a woman who is desperate for Jesus and dedicated to teaching the Word of God. After 10 years of prayer, in 2010 Autumn founded The Blush Network, a women’s conference ministry with a mission to spiritually challenge the way people think. After hosting over 20 conferences nationwide in under 10 years, the name shifted to Autumn Miles Ministries. As a survivor of domestic abuse, Autumn is passionate about educating the church on how to effectively assist victims. In 2017, she partnered with LifeWay Research to sponsor a study on domestic violence in the church. Results showed that only 50 percent of churches have a plan in place to respond to domestic violence. It is one of her life’s purposes to share her story of overcoming abuse and the truth of the hope we have in Christ. Autumn and her husband Eddie have four amazing kids, Grace, Jude, Moses and Haven. They currently reside in Dallas, Texas.
      https://www.autumnmiles.com/
      10:00 AM

      Break

      10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
      10:15 AM

      Stacy Peterson: Her Story and What We Can Learn from It

      10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
        Rev. Neil Schori
        Stacy Peterson's Pastor, Lead Pastor at The Edge ChurchThe Edge Church
        Neil has been married to Brandi for 22 years and they have three exceptional daughters, Hannah, Mia, and Ava. Neil’s passion for assisting victims of domestic violence was fueled by the tragic disappearance of Stacy Peterson in 2007. Over the past 19 years, Neil has served in diverse pastoral roles, from hospice and police chaplain, to pastor in several churches in the Chicagoland area. Neil has a master’s degree in counseling and actively promotes the church’s role in standing with victims of intimate partner violence.
        https://www.edgeaurora.com/
        11:15 AM

        Lunch & Lunch Panel

        11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
          Rev. Neil Schori
          Stacy Peterson's Pastor, Lead Pastor at The Edge ChurchThe Edge Church
          Neil has been married to Brandi for 22 years and they have three exceptional daughters, Hannah, Mia, and Ava. Neil’s passion for assisting victims of domestic violence was fueled by the tragic disappearance of Stacy Peterson in 2007. Over the past 19 years, Neil has served in diverse pastoral roles, from hospice and police chaplain, to pastor in several churches in the Chicagoland area. Neil has a master’s degree in counseling and actively promotes the church’s role in standing with victims of intimate partner violence.
          https://www.edgeaurora.com/
          Joseph Petito
          Gabby Petito's Father, Board Vice President of the GPFGabby Petito Foundation
          My name is Joseph Petito. I am the father of three beautiful children. I have worked in the corporate world for over 20 years and have learned to become a good leader by never asking anyone to do something I am not willing to do myself. After the tragic death of my daughter, Gabby, I am now the Vice President of the Gabby Petito Foundation. Although new to advocacy I have seen the gaps that need to be filled when it comes to the missing and domestic violence. I am determined and it is my goal to make Gabby proud of the work this foundation will do.
          https://www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/
          Kathy Phillips
          Kentucky Domestic Violence Resource ProsecutorKentucky Attorney General's Office
          Kathy Phillips is the Kentucky Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office. In this role, she provides training and support to enhance the capability of Kentucky prosecutors and police to effectively prosecute domestic violence cases and to protect victims of intimate violence and abuse. Prior to joining the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, Kathy was an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fayette County where she served as the Director of the Special Victim’s Unit. There, Kathy prosecuted all types of serious felony offenses, worked numerous high-profile cases, and had expansive jury trial experience. She has always embraced the importance of working with and providing training and support for police and prosecutors and has trained on a variety of issues involving investigation, evidence collection, testifying in court and legal presentations. Kathy has served on numerous community boards and worked with other local and state-wide organizations and multi-disciplinary groups as a prosecution liaison, providing training and guidance on many subjects. Kathy also advocated and worked with groups for the enactment of important legislation, the Kentucky Felony strangulation law. Kathy originally began her career at the Department of Public Advocacy which she found an invaluable learning experience. After serving as a prosecutor for over 24 years, she retired but returned to prosecution in her part-time role as Kentucky Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor in which she focused on traffic safety training and support and then transitioned to the newly created position of the Kentucky DVRP.
          Kristy Schwetman
          Sexual Assault Nursing ExaminerBaptist Health & Bon Secours Mercy Health Lourdes Hospitals
          Kristy graduated magna cum laude from Murray State University with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1993. In 2002, she was licensed as a sexual assault nursing examiner in Kentucky. Kristy specializes in adult and pediatric emergency care, sexual assault nursing, and understanding of trauma informed care. She is employed at Baptist Health and Bon Secours Mercy Health Lourdes hospitals, and is associated with Lotus and the Western Kentucky Sexual Trauma Assault Center.
          Mark Wynn (Lt., Retired)
          Owner/OperatorWynn Consulting
          “Mark is woven into the fabric of the battered women’s movement”, said Lynn Rosenthal, our country’s first White House adviser on violence against women. He is a national trainer to police executives, patrol officers, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals and victim advocates in all fifty states. As a Fulbright Specialist for the Department of State he has lectured and trained at police academies worldwide. For over thirty years he as advised and trained for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Violence Against Women and the Civil Rights Division, on the topic of gender-based violence and officer involved interpersonal violence. He is a survivor, enabling him to teach both effectively and passionately. In short, he is devoted to ending domestic/sexual, elder and child abuse as a police officer, detective, educator, program supervisor and now consultant and advisor while traveling 2,478,313 miles to all 50 states and 16 other countries to guide 1,250 cities, towns, and villages to strengthen their response to investigate, and prevent interpersonal violence.
          https://www.markwynn.com/
          12:30 PM

          Gabby Petito's Story

          12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
            Joseph Petito
            Gabby Petito's Father, Board Vice President of the GPFGabby Petito Foundation
            My name is Joseph Petito. I am the father of three beautiful children. I have worked in the corporate world for over 20 years and have learned to become a good leader by never asking anyone to do something I am not willing to do myself. After the tragic death of my daughter, Gabby, I am now the Vice President of the Gabby Petito Foundation. Although new to advocacy I have seen the gaps that need to be filled when it comes to the missing and domestic violence. I am determined and it is my goal to make Gabby proud of the work this foundation will do.
            https://www.gabbypetitofoundation.org/
            01:15 PM

            Break

            01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
            01:30 PM

            Understanding the Lethality and Physiology of Strangulation

            01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
              Kathy Phillips
              Kentucky Domestic Violence Resource ProsecutorKentucky Attorney General's Office
              Kathy Phillips is the Kentucky Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office. In this role, she provides training and support to enhance the capability of Kentucky prosecutors and police to effectively prosecute domestic violence cases and to protect victims of intimate violence and abuse. Prior to joining the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, Kathy was an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fayette County where she served as the Director of the Special Victim’s Unit. There, Kathy prosecuted all types of serious felony offenses, worked numerous high-profile cases, and had expansive jury trial experience. She has always embraced the importance of working with and providing training and support for police and prosecutors and has trained on a variety of issues involving investigation, evidence collection, testifying in court and legal presentations. Kathy has served on numerous community boards and worked with other local and state-wide organizations and multi-disciplinary groups as a prosecution liaison, providing training and guidance on many subjects. Kathy also advocated and worked with groups for the enactment of important legislation, the Kentucky Felony strangulation law. Kathy originally began her career at the Department of Public Advocacy which she found an invaluable learning experience. After serving as a prosecutor for over 24 years, she retired but returned to prosecution in her part-time role as Kentucky Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor in which she focused on traffic safety training and support and then transitioned to the newly created position of the Kentucky DVRP.
              Kristy Schwetman
              Sexual Assault Nursing ExaminerBaptist Health & Bon Secours Mercy Health Lourdes Hospitals
              Kristy graduated magna cum laude from Murray State University with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1993. In 2002, she was licensed as a sexual assault nursing examiner in Kentucky. Kristy specializes in adult and pediatric emergency care, sexual assault nursing, and understanding of trauma informed care. She is employed at Baptist Health and Bon Secours Mercy Health Lourdes hospitals, and is associated with Lotus and the Western Kentucky Sexual Trauma Assault Center.
              03:00 PM

              Break

              03:00 PM - 03:15 PM
              03:15 PM

              Beyond the Obvious - Avoiding Dual Arrest, Dominant Aggressor Determination

              03:15 PM - 04:45 PM
                Mark Wynn (Lt., Retired)
                Owner/OperatorWynn Consulting
                “Mark is woven into the fabric of the battered women’s movement”, said Lynn Rosenthal, our country’s first White House adviser on violence against women. He is a national trainer to police executives, patrol officers, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals and victim advocates in all fifty states. As a Fulbright Specialist for the Department of State he has lectured and trained at police academies worldwide. For over thirty years he as advised and trained for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Department of Justice’s Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Violence Against Women and the Civil Rights Division, on the topic of gender-based violence and officer involved interpersonal violence. He is a survivor, enabling him to teach both effectively and passionately. In short, he is devoted to ending domestic/sexual, elder and child abuse as a police officer, detective, educator, program supervisor and now consultant and advisor while traveling 2,478,313 miles to all 50 states and 16 other countries to guide 1,250 cities, towns, and villages to strengthen their response to investigate, and prevent interpersonal violence.
                https://www.markwynn.com/
                04:45 PM

                Wrap Up

                04:45 PM - 05:00 PM
                  Dr. Mary Foley
                  Executive DirectorMerryman House Domestic Crisis Center
                  Dr. Mary Foley serves as the Executive Director of the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and has since 2012. With more than 15 years of experience in working with victims of interpersonal crimes such as child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault, Dr. Foley uses her passion for justice, advocacy and victims’ rights to help create stronger and safer communities. Mary holds a Master’s degree from Murray State University in Clinical Psychology, and a doctorate degree from Western Kentucky University in Applied Psychology (PsyD) and is a licensed psychotherapist. Mary is certified as a domestic violence advocate through the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a lead instructor in the Coalition’s Certification Program responsible for training advocates state-wide. Mary has trained at the National Center on Substance Abuse, Trauma and Mental Health in providing trauma-informed care. Mary resides in western Kentucky with her husband of 23 years, Brian, and two sons, John Phillip and Thomas.
                  https://www.merrymanhouse.org

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