Presented by Baltic Street Wellness Solutions

Roots of Recovery2026

Reclaiming Human Connection in the Age of A.I.

A two-day symposium on peer support, mental health, social wellness, and the future of recovery.

November 5–6, 2026BRIC Arts · 647 Fulton St, Brooklyn

Become a Sponsor Explore the Symposium View Tickets

Two women sharing a warm moment together

“No system can function without human connection.”

Symposium Mission

In a world becoming more connected, why are so many feeling alone?

As loneliness intensifies and AI reshapes how care is delivered, technology may increase efficiency and scale, but recovery depends on trust, dignity, belonging, and sustained relationships.

We bring together peer leaders, clinicians, educators, HR professionals, administrators, community partners, and ethical technology stakeholders to build recovery systems that are both innovative and deeply human.

Help Shape the Conversation See the six pillars

Six Pillars of Human Connection

What we’re here to build together.

Reclaim human connection as essential recovery infrastructure

Center trust, dignity, mutuality, and real relationships as the foundation of healing in every system.

Friends celebrating together outdoors — Recovery happens in relationship.

Three men standing together with the Brooklyn Bridge behind them — Belonging is built, together.

Two women seated together, smiling — Connection is care.

Featured Speakers & Workshops

Voices advancing human connection.

Keynote Speaker

Nev Jones, PhD

University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, with affiliate appointments in Psychiatry and the Institute for Bioethics. She directs a federally funded research program on public mental health services, coercion and poverty in mental health contexts, and lived experience integration, and collaborates on projects at the intersection of AI, public sector services, and social justice.

Workshop Facilitators

JC
Jay Culkin, NYCPS, YPA-C
Peer Support and Building Authentic Friendships in the Current Technological Landscape
01
LR
Liana Rivera
Healing the Helper: Building Resilient Peer Leaders Through Wellness, Recovery, and Connection
02
SS
Sharece Sellem-Hannah, M.S. and David Hannah, M.S.
The Human Side of Health: Virtual Theatre for Human Connection
03
SD
Sophia DePorto, Tiana Adler, and Vernon Young
Finding Belonging Through Creative Expression
04
BP
Bryant Pugh
From Isolation to Connection: Emotional Resilience, Belonging, and Human Connection through gEAR!
05

Sponsor These Voices

Explore the Conversations

Five workshops. One shared question.

Filter by the pillar you care about most, then open a workshop to see who’s leading it.

Facilitator

Jay Culkin, NYCPS, YPA-C

Peer SupportConnectionEthical Innovation