We Are the Movement: 2026 WSCADVSA Conference: Full Schedule

This year’s conference honors the people who built this movement, and the people continuing to carry it forward. For generations, survivors, advocates, organizers, and community members have created safety, support, and change together. Their lived experience, knowledge, and care have shaped this work from the very beginning. Join us for two days of connection, learning, and envisioning what’s possible when we build safety, healing, and belonging together.

Speaker and workshop announcements coming soon! For more information, please see our FAQ page or contact us at [email protected].

For more information about the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, visit our website.

10:30am PDT

Make It Make Sense! Why the State Budget Matters for Survivors and Your Program

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Washington State is one of the top 5 wealthiest states in the country. And yet, programs that support survivors are being slashed, our own programs are stretched to the limit, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cry poverty when balancing our state budget. Make it make sense! This workshop will help you better understand our state budget, what it funds, and why safety net programs are the first to be cut. We will also learn about why such a wealthy state has a big revenue problem and more about the movement to change that. Join us for a big picture discussion and how you can be a part of the change in your community.

This workshop is for advocates, directors, and anyone who wants to get nerdy about revenue!

Speakers

Traci Underwood

Director of Policy Development & Research, Economic Opportunity Institute

Traci Underwood holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Washington where she focused on public policy and nonprofit administration and has been working for economic justice for Washingtonians since 2001.

She is the Director of Policy Development & Research at the Economic Opportunity Institute where she has been on staff for 4 years. Some recent policy successes Traci has worked on include, strengthening our state’s Paid Sick & Safe Leave and Paid Family & Medical Leave programs... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic community engagement & organizing, economic justice, public policy, managers & directors, systems advocacy, domestic violence, sexual assault

1:30pm PDT

Navigating Your Money Story While Supporting Survivors

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Many advocates feel hesitant to offer guidance when they are still navigating their own financial journeys. In this workshop, we will explore our personal money belief systems to build the self-awareness needed to lead with empathy and clarity. By understanding our own relationship with money, we can more confidently facilitate difficult financial conversations with survivors, even while navigating our own challenges.

Speakers

Kitty Gresswell

Financial Empowerment Instructor, YWCA, Seattle, King, Snohomish

Kitty Gresswell is a financial empowerment educator specializing in trauma-informed financial literacy, coaching, and economic resilience. She has developed and facilitated financial education programs for survivors of domestic violence and individuals experiencing financial instability... Read More →

Jennifer Quiroz

Executive Director, Financial Empowerment Network

Jennifer Quiroz is the Executive Director of the Financial Empowerment Network (FEN). Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit programming, focused on gender-based violence, immigrant communities and financial empowerment. Prior to taking on this role in 2021, Jennifer... Read More →