02/21/2026
What an incredible day at The Ridge 2026 Winter Conference held at the beautiful Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington!
Solid Foundation was truly honored to be among so many like-minded professionals who share a deep passion for helping others. Together, we are stronger, more informed, and better equipped to make a difference.
A heartfelt thank you to The Ridge for hosting such a powerful and impactful event. From start to finish, the conference was filled with meaningful conversations, critical education, and a shared commitment to strengthening our communities.
We were honored to hear from keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart, whose presentation, “My Story: The Journey from Abduction to Empowerment,” was both moving and inspiring. Her story of unimaginable tragedy transformed into advocacy and national impact reminds us all of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of child safety, recovery, and prevention efforts.
A special thank you to the outstanding breakout speakers:
Dwight Bain, NCC, LMHC, Author – “AI Companions and Teen Mental Health: The Risks of AI Replacing Counselors and Parents”
A critical and timely discussion examining how emerging technology is shaping the emotional world of today’s youth and the importance of maintaining authentic human connection.
Ricky J. Lynn, Special Victim’s Unit Detective – “Trauma and Exploitation: How Early Adversity Shapes Vulnerability”
A powerful look at how trauma impacts long-term vulnerability and what we must understand to better protect and advocate for those at risk.
We also want to extend huge appreciation to all the community partners who showed up to share resources, information, and collaborative strategies to support individuals living with mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and other life obstacles. It was inspiring to see so many agencies united in purpose.
Thank you to The Ridge, for creating space for learning, connection, and collaboration. We look forward to what’s ahead!