June 5–6, 2026 | SUNY Fredonia – Williams Center
Choose the experience that’s right for you. Attend one day or both.

The 2026 Hope & Healing Conference of Western New York is proud to announce its Day One keynote speakers, Joseph Green and Kym Laube, two nationally recognized voices who bring powerful perspectives on connection, recovery, and the impact of lived experience.

Taking place June 5–6, 2026, the Hope & Healing Conference is designed to inspire connection, learning, and community. Day One, held on Friday, June 5, is open to professionals, advocates, individuals with lived experience, and anyone interested in mental health, substance use, prevention, treatment, and recovery, suicide prevention and awareness, grief and loss. Centered on this year’s theme, The Power of Story, the day explores how personal and collective stories can foster healing, understanding, and resilience.

Opening the day is keynote speaker Joseph Green, followed by keynote speaker Kym Laube. Together, they bring decades of experience and a shared commitment to empowering individuals and communities.

 Joseph Green: Joseph Green is a storyteller, educator, and narrative disruptor with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and organizations harness the power of lived experience to inspire meaningful change. His work centers on connection, authenticity, and the belief that when people are empowered to tell their stories with intention, they can transform both personal and collective outcomes.

Joseph has facilitated more than 5,000 workshops nationwide, engaging audiences ranging from students and caregivers to nonprofit leaders, clinicians, and corporate professionals. His work spans substance use recovery, mental health, social justice, youth empowerment, and leadership development. Whether delivering keynotes for organizations such as Google, SAMHSA, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, or working directly with schools and community groups, Joseph brings a grounded, human-centered approach that makes complex issues accessible and deeply resonant.

His work has been featured in the award-winning documentary Tipping the Pain Scale, which explores systemic failures and innovative solutions in addiction recovery, as well as in the CDC and Ad Council’s Recovery Starts With Hope campaign. Across platforms, Joseph’s poetry, facilitation, and leadership reflect a consistent commitment to dignity, empathy, and shared humanity.

Most recently, Joseph designed a new storytelling training for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing titled Stories of Hope: A Value-Centered Approach to Storytelling. Developed as a lived-experience storytelling capacity-building initiative, the course equips participants with practical tools to craft and share stories that inspire action while honoring personal boundaries and values.

In addition, Joseph has collaborated with psychologists and neuroscientists from Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital to develop an innovative drug and mental health education curriculum for parents and caregivers. He also partners with the Catalyst Center, in collaboration with the California Alliance, integrating storytelling into statewide training for non-medical, youth-serving professionals.

As CEO of LMSvoice, Joseph leads a creative team dedicated to redefining how stories drive learning, connection, and social change. Whether on stage, in workshops, or behind the scenes, he creates spaces where stories spark understanding—and lead to real action.

Kym Laube: Kym Laube serves as the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS, Inc.), based in Westhampton Beach, NY. With over 35 years of experience in substance use prevention, Kym has dedicated her career to promoting innovative strategies that empower individuals and communities. Since stepping into the Executive Director role in 2002, she has spearheaded the organization’s efforts to deliver comprehensive prevention services and recovery supports, while passionately advocating across the continuum of care.

As a sought-after national trainer and speaker, Kym has collaborated with leading organizations such as CADCA, Opioid Response Network, state associations, and corporate entities, bringing her expertise to diverse audiences. Her journey with HUGS, Inc. began in 1986, when she participated in the Teen Institute program as a high school student. This firsthand experience ignited her understanding of the prevention’s transformative impact on young people, preparing them to lead and inspire. From a student leader to Executive Director, Kym’s mission has remained steadfast: empowering individuals to realize their full potential and become catalysts for change.

Known for her dynamic, engaging, and interactive presentations, Kym connects deeply with audiences of all sizes, offering keynotes, trainings, and workshops that inspire action. Annually, she reaches over 35,000 individuals of all ages across the nation, leaving a lasting impression through her warmth and authenticity.

Kym’s commitment to making a difference extends far beyond her executive role. She actively serves on various local, state, and national boards and task forces, championing policy changes that impact families and communities. As a member of the NYS Governor’s Opiate Task Force, she helped shape state-wide reforms, including prescribing practices, extended treatment stays, and family support initiatives.

Celebrating over 35 years of her own recovery journey, Kym’s dedication to fostering positive change is both professional and deeply personal. She takes pride in encouraging others to “Make the space better”. When she’s not advocating for change, Kym treasures time with her husband, their two adult sons, first grandchild and an ever-growing pack of rescue dogs at their home in Westhampton Beach, NY.

Registration for the conference is now open, with early bird pricing available for a limited time. Attendees can expect a full day of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and opportunities for connection and learning, with CEUs and CTLEs available.

Day Two of the conference, taking place Saturday, June 6, is Family & Community Day, featuring Camp Hope: Where Stories Grow. This free, interactive day is designed for families, youth, and community members, offering engaging activities, resources, and opportunities to explore mental health, substance use, prevention, treatment, and recovery, suicide prevention and awareness, grief and loss, in accessible ways.

The Hope & Healing Conference of Western New York will return on June 5–6, 2026, expanding to a two-day format designed to inspire connection, learning, and community.

The 2026 Hope & Healing Conference is a one or two-day experience bringing together professionals, advocates, individuals with lived experience, families, and community members to engage in meaningful conversations around mental health, substance use prevention, healing, and resilience.

Conference Details:
June 5–6, 2026
State University of New York at Fredonia, The Williams Center, 280 Central Ave., Fredonia, N.Y. 14063

Day One (Friday, June 5) is open to professionals, advocates, individuals with lived experience, and anyone interested in mental health and wellness. Centered on The Power of Story, the day will explore how personal and collective stories can foster healing, understanding, and resilience. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits will be available. Early-bird pricing will be offered, and advance registration will be required.

Day Two (Saturday, June 6) is Family & Community Day, featuring Camp Hope: Where Stories Grow, a welcoming, interactive space designed specifically for families, youth, and community members seeking support, connection, and resources. This day is intended to reduce barriers to access for individuals and families and will be offered free of charge, with lunch and transportation available on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration will be required for all participants.

Join us for two meaningful days of learning, connection, and hope, because every story matters.

For updates and announcements, follow the Hope & Healing Conference of WNY on Facebook.