Common Ground, Common Healing
Creating a Safe Recovery Space for Healing, Hope, & Wholeness
A CCDA National Conference Pre-Conference
Wednesday, October 7th
9:00am-4:30pm
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
About the Pre-Conference
Substance Use Disorder (aka addiction) does not exist in isolation—and neither does recovery. It’s been said that Richmond, VA is one of the largest recovery communities in the United States, with more treatment and sober living beds and resources than any other community than Phoenix. It has become a destination for many people up and down the East Coast. We get a lot right, yet we still have a lot to learn, as we continue to bridge the gap between the sacred and the secular here in Richmond and in your community, as well!
Join us for Common Ground, Common Healing, an interactive, full-day pre-conference hosted by Into The Neighborhood ahead of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) National Conference.
This pre-conference brings together faith leaders, cross-sector practitioners, and community members to explore how to establish trauma-informed, recovery-friendly environments in our congregations, workplaces, small groups, and local neighborhoods while honoring the whole family unit impacted by substance use.
Whether you serve in a church, manage an organization, lead a recovery community group, or carry the lived experience of addiction or family recovery, you belong at this table.
The CCDA National Conference is an annual gathering organized by the Christian Community Development Association. For nearly 40 years, it has equipped faith leaders, activists, and organizers to restore under-resourced neighborhoods from within using core principles of relocation, reconciliation, and redistribution. This year, it is located at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA from October 7–10, 2026 with over 2,000 national attendees expected.
The “Behold” Theme is based on Isaiah 43:19 (“Behold, I am doing a new thing”). “Behold” calls participants to recognize positive, grassroots transformation happening in marginalized communities.
Note: Use the “sponsorguests” coupon for 1/2 off
Note: Local Orgs Receive a HUGE Discount & 2 Registrations
Pre-Conference Details
- Date & Time: Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Optional reflection & prayer from 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM)
- Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA
- Hosted By: Into The Neighborhood
- Sponsored By: Recovery.com
- Who Should Attend: Faith leaders, ministry coordinators, lay leaders, non-profit directors, treatment center professionals, recovery community organizations (RCOs), family advocates, HR professionals, individuals or family members with lived experience and anyone who loves or works with someone impacted by substance use disorder
*Note: You do not need to register for the conference to attend the pre-conference.
Featured Guest Speaker
Caroline Beidler, MSW Author, Recovery Advocate, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com
Caroline is an author, speaker, recovery advocate, and the Managing Editor at Recovery.com. Drawing from nearly 20 years of experience across social work, behavioral health, and ministry—as well as her own lived experience in recovery and as an affected family member—Caroline works extensively to break down stigma and build supportive community systems. She is the founder of the storytelling platform Circle of Chairs and the author of Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery and When You Love Someone in Recovery.
Tentative Schedule for the Day – October 7, 2026
Morning: Foundations, Family Impact & Cross-Sector Collaboration
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Arrival & Opening Circle
- Welcome, housekeeping, and framing our shared day. Grounding our time as a safe space for individuals in recovery, family members carrying hidden burdens, and cross-sector practitioners.
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Session 1: Recovery 101 — A Holistic Framework for Individuals & Families
- Applying SAMHSA’s four dimensions of recovery (Health, Home, Purpose, Community) to individual and family systems.
- Replacing shame-based language with humanizing, person-first language.
- Unpacking the intergenerational ripple effect of addiction (grief, secret-keeping, trauma) and establishing distinct support spaces for family members.
- 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Morning Break
- 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Session 2: Panel — Sacred & Secular Partnerships in Action
- Moderated Panel & Audience Q&A featuring local faith leaders, secular recovery organizations, and family support advocates.
- How secular family support programs and faith-based ministries cross-refer and co-create safe spaces.
- Overcoming mutual skepticism, building cross-sector trust, and mapping local community assets.
- 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on Your Own
- 90-minute break to connect with peers, process morning discussions, or recharge.
- 90-minute break to connect with peers, process morning discussions, or recharge.
Afternoon: Practical Application — Designing Safe Spaces
- 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | Session 3: Building Recovery Friendly Spaces in Workplaces, Churches & Small Groups
- Workshop & Practical Audit
- Workplace & HR: Crafting supportive HR policies, EAP benefits, and stigma-free environments for employees navigating addiction or family crisis.
- Congregational Life: Cultivating small group cultures free from platitudes and judgment; equipping youth volunteers to support kids impacted by substance use; and hosting community groups (Al-Anon, PAL, BALM).
- Workshop & Practical Audit
- 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Afternoon Break
- 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Session 4: Collaborative Table Breakouts
- Small Group Audits (25 min group work / 20 min report-out)
- Group A: Churches & Small Groups (Auditing ministry guidelines and care practices)
- Group B: Family Support & Youth Systems (Designing care for spouses, parents, and children)
- Group C: Workplaces & HR (Policy adjustments and employee support)
- Group D: Cross-Sector Partnerships (Connecting secular and faith resources)
- Small Group Audits (25 min group work / 20 min report-out)
- 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Closing & Sending
- Reflections honoring individuals and family members, personal action commitments, and sending.
- Reflections honoring individuals and family members, personal action commitments, and sending.
- 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Optional Time for Prayer & Space
- An optional half-hour for prayer, reflection, or connection.
- An optional half-hour for prayer, reflection, or connection.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the pre-conference team coordinator here.
Into The Neighborhood 