Past Events
A collection of previous trainings, workshops, and community conversations delivered across districts and youth‑serving organizations.
Author Talk: The H.E.L.P.™ for Kids Series
Hosted at Hillside Coffee House – Oak Creek, Wisconsin
August 20, 2026
A Trauma‑Informed Conversation for Parents, Educators, and Youth Professionals
A family‑friendly author event introducing the H.E.L.P.™ for Kids series — a systematic, age‑developed set of books designed to help children notice, name, and navigate difficult moments with confidence and predictable adult support. This session explored how the series teaches kids to recognize early warning signs, understand their feelings, and use simple, steady steps to reach out to trusted adults.
Mark shared the inspiration behind the series, the developmental structure built into each book, and how trauma‑informed practice shaped the language, pacing, and scenarios. Attendees learned how the H.E.L.P.™ framework supports emotional safety, strengthens communication between children and adults, and gives families and schools a shared vocabulary for everyday challenges.
Author Talk: The Day Everyone Almost Missed
Hosted at Hillside Coffee House – Oak Creek, Wisconsin
June 26, 2026
A middle‑grade fiction author event exploring emotional safety, student perspective, and the importance of predictable adults in school settings. Attendees learned how small, almost‑missed moments shape the way students experience their day — and how calm, consistent adult behavior supports student well‑being.
Be Confident: Anti-Bullying & Self-Confidence Community Event
Hosted at Hillside Coffee House – Oak Creek, Wisconsin
June 24, 2026
A community‑centered conversation focused on building confidence, speaking up, and creating environments where young people feel safe, respected, and supported. This event brought together parents, students, educators, and community members to explore how self‑worth, kindness, and predictable adult support reduce bullying and strengthen emotional safety.
Attendees engaged in guided discussions on knowing your worth, believing in yourself, and using your voice to advocate for safety — both personally and within the school community. The session emphasized relational safety, calm adult presence, and the power of community connection in shaping brighter futures for young people.
Powered Response™ Teacher & Staff Training
St. John's Lutheran School – Random Lake, Wisconsin
Fall 2025
A community‑centered conversation focused on building confidence, speaking up, and creating environments where young people feel safe, respected, and supported. This event brought together parents, students, educators, and community members to explore how self‑worth, kindness, and predictable adult support reduce bullying and strengthen emotional safety.
Attendees engaged in guided discussions on knowing your worth, believing in yourself, and using your voice to advocate for safety — both personally and within the school community. The session emphasized relational safety, calm adult presence, and the power of community connection in shaping brighter futures for young people.
Bullying Prevention & H.E.L.P.™ Training (Grades K-8)
St. John's Lutheran School – Random Lake, Wisconsin
Spring 2025
A full‑school training focused on helping K–8 students understand bullying, build confidence, and use the H.E.L.P.™ steps to seek support from trusted adults. This session equipped teachers and staff with developmentally appropriate language, predictable adult practices, and clear strategies for guiding students through unsafe peer interactions.
The training emphasized early noticing skills, calm communication, and relational safety — giving staff practical tools to help students recognize harmful behavior, speak up, and support one another. Educators learned how the H.E.L.P.™ framework strengthens emotional safety, reduces anxiety, and creates shared expectations across classrooms and grade levels.