2nd Annual Resilient Gwinnett in Action Summit

Resilient Gwinnett in Action Summit Presented by Kaiser Permanente Brings Community Together to Strengthen Youth and Family Well-Being

Gwinnett County, GA (March 26, 2026) – Community leaders, partners, and residents came together for the 2^nd annual Resilient Gwinnett in Action Summit, presented by Kaiser Permanente, with support from Community Catalyst Sponsor Clear Path Counseling Network, for a dynamic event focused on building a stronger, healthier future for children, youth, and families across Gwinnett County.

“For the past five years, the Resilient Gwinnett collaborative has been laying the foundation by offering evidence-based trainings and raising awareness of the impacts of adverse childhood experiences. More than 260 individuals attended the 2^nd annual summit, representing a 52% increase in attendance from 2025,” said Renee Byrd-Lewis, president and CEO of Gwinnett Coalition.

Hosted by Resilient Gwinnett, a collaborative of Gwinnett Coalition, the Summit created space for connection, learning, and action. The day was anchored by featured keynote Dr. Stan Sonu, Medical Director for Child Advocacy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, titled “Systemic Empathy as the Blueprint to Cultivate Resiliency.” Dr. Sonu challenged attendees to move beyond individual-level approaches and consider how empathy can be embedded into systems to drive equitable, lasting change for children and families.

Attendees engaged in interactive sessions, heard from local experts, and explored practical strategies to strengthen resilience and improve outcomes for young people. The event featured six breakout sessions across education, business, and youth-focused tracks, offering real-world applications participants can apply in their organizations and communities.

A key highlight of the afternoon included a presentation and panel discussion on human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. This session raised awareness of a critical issue affecting communities and equipped attendees with knowledge and resources to better recognize, prevent, and respond to exploitation.

Throughout the event, participants gained insights into trauma-informed practices, community collaboration, and innovative approaches to addressing challenges facing youth today.

The event also highlighted the ongoing work of Resilient Gwinnett and its partners to align efforts, share resources, and support systems that help young people thrive. From prevention to intervention, Resilient Gwinnett continues to focus on building resilience at every level: individual, family, and community,“  said Byrd-Lewis.

Resilient Gwinnett extends sincere gratitude to Kaiser Permanente, and all partners, speakers, sponsors, and attendees who contributed to the success of the Summit and continue to champion this work across Gwinnett County.