Online Registration will close 11/29 – but if you miss the window do not worry! You can still get your tickets on the morning of the event at the Warner Theatre between 8 and 9 am – Tickets are $60, and if cost is a barrier scholarship tickets are available!
Reimagining Empathy: A Decade of Unity and Resilience Conference
Reimagining Empathy
A Decade of Unity and Resilience
November 30, 2023
Warner Theatre, Torrington, CT
Schedule for the Day
8:00 – 9:00 am: Registration
9:00 am: Opening Remarks
9:30 am: Premiere of our new documentary short, The Empathy Effect
10:00 am: Johann Hari on Accessing Empathy, followed by a fireside chat
11:30 am: Book Signing with Johann Hari
11:45 am: Breakout Session Block 1, or lunch on your own.
- Live Saving Measures: Narcan & Hands-Only CPR
- Mindfulness and Sound Healing
- Compassionate policing through Deflection
- Talking to a Loved One About Their Addiction
- Art Therapy
12:30 pm: Uprooting Addiction film screening and discussion
12:45 pm: Breakout Session Block 2, or lunch on your own.
- Live Saving Measures: Narcan & Hands-Only CPR
- Mindfulness and Sound Healing
- Compassionate Policing through Deflection
- Talking to a Loved One About Their Addiction
- Art Therapy
2:00 pm: Harm Reduction as Empathy in Action panel
3:30 pm: Dr. Gabor Mate joining virtually: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
5:00 pm: Conference concludes
“Reimagining Empathy: a Decade of Unity and Resilience” is a one-day event designed to explore the vital role of empathy, hope, and wellness in addressing the challenges of the modern world. With distinguished speakers, breakout sessions, and thought-provoking discussions, the conference aims to inspire attendees to take collective action and foster healing solutions for themselves and their communities. We hope ALL will join us at this important event!
Speakers include Johann Hari, an award-winning British journalist and playwright, and author of three New York Times best-selling books, as well as Dr. Gabor Maté, a Hungarian-Canadian physician and best-selling author in topics including ADHD, stress, developmental psychology, and addiction.
Sponsored Tickets
A limited number of scholarship tickets are available through the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force. Please email lcopiatetaskforce@gmail.com for the scholarship form.
You may also arrive on the morning of between 8 and 9 am during registration and request a scholarship ticket and complete the form at this time.
Parking Information
Event parking for the Warner Theater can be on the street and use the convenience of app-based parking by going onto parkingapp.com and then choosing your location. You now have two options either Parkmobile or Passport for your app-based parking needs.
The less expensive option is parking in the Riverview Lot (next to the library) at only 50¢ an hour and you can still use the app-based parking as described above.
Streets are a little more at $1.25 an hour, and handicap placard holders regardless of parking at a reserved space, do not have to pay to park.
If you still want to feel real money in your hand you can pay with coins and use the meters in the large lot or on Water Street, or the large kiosks can take coins, cash, or cards on Main Street by the Warner. Plenty of ways to pay and park. Take your pick and enjoy your event!
Lunch Options
Crumbs
Coffee, smoothies, breakfast & lunch
33 Franklin St., Torrington
Salt 2.0
Fresh bowls, burritos, lighter fare
84 Main St., Torrington
Toothpick
Asian Fusion Street food
45 Main St., Torrington
Brinx
Coffee, breakfast & lunch
53 Main St., Torrington
Love it Vegan
All vegan lunch options
73 Main St., Torrington
Cafe 38
Coffee and lunch options
38 Main St., Torrington
Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza
Pizza, Entrees, Bar
52 Main St., Torrington
Places to Stay
Double Tree, Bristol CT (35 minutes)
4.4(1,069)•3-star hotel•Eco-certified
42 Century Dr, Bristol, CT 06010•(860) 589-7766
Old Riverton Inn and The Royal Coachman Tavern (20 minutes)
4.7(163)•2-star hotel
436 E River Rd, Riverton, CT 06065•(860) 379-8678
Courtyard by Marriott, Waterbury Downtown
4.0(1,245)•3-star hotel
63 Grand St, Waterbury, CT 06702•(203) 596-1000
ADA Accessibility
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Parking: Please look for prominently displayed signage on the municipal roads and public parking lots around the Warner Theatre.
Entrances: The main entrance for the Warner is accessible and is located on Main Street. An accessible entrance is also located at the rear doors of the Mertz Building. The Warner is equipped with ramps and elevators that operate between the orchestra, and balcony levels of the theaters.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms can be found on most levels of the facility.
ACCESSIBLE SEATING
The Oneglia Auditorium (Main Stage) has wheelchair accessible locations where patrons may remain in their wheelchairs.
Oneglia Auditorium: Wheelchair accessible locations are available on the orchestra level only. Transfer seats are available on both orchestra and balcony levels.
The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection. – Johann Hari