CHD cancels ‘Through Her Eyes’ conference due to COVID-19 concerns

After careful consideration, and in accordance with Mass. guidelines on large gatherings, CHD will not hold its ‘Through Her Eyes’ human service conference this fall.

From left to right: CHD President and CEO Jim Goodwin, 2019 keynote speaker and Founder of LIFT Nikki Bell, and CHD VP of Children and Families John Roberson

The decision to cancel this year’s event comes from a need to protect the health and safety of attendees, presenters and staff alike while continuing to play an active role in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

In its nearly 16-year history, Through Her Eyes has focused on the latest techniques and best practices for social work, direct care, education and psychology from industry professionals, especially those who work with girls and young women. The conference typically attracts over 500 professionals from the human-services field for its daylong program.

Since its inception, Through Her Eyes has grown to become the largest regional symposium focused solely on these critical issues. Over the years it made a significant contribution to service models by informing and educating human service professionals on the experiences and needs of not only this broad group but also a subsection of at-risk girls and young women.

Although Through Her Eyes will not take place this fall, the need for the important work covered at the conference remains as important as ever, including especially the commitment of human service professionals to protect those who are most vulnerable. Recently, there have been reports in an uptick of exploitation and violence against children, a subject often discussed in depth at Through Her Eyes, especially in last year’s keynote address by Nikki Bell, the Founder and CEO of Living In Freedom Together (LIFT), a survivor-led organization comprising those who have overcome commercial sexual exploitation.

“This is but one example of the enduring need for CHD’s services in defense of those who are at risk,” said President and CEO Jim Goodwin. “As an organization we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving those in need in our community and continue delivering the highest quality services possible based upon ever-evolving best practices and new research.”