In partnership with the Office of Catholic Schools and the Office of Special Needs Ministries of the Diocese of Arlington, we host an annual conference titled "From Inclusion to Belonging" where experts come together to provide insightful presentations on a variety of topics related to disabilities.
With the support of the four diocesan high schools we are able to provide a full event with keynote presentation, multiple breakout sessions, vendor area, networking, childcare, and lunch.​
2027 Conference
Creating Community Connections
Save the Date for Saturday, March 6, 2027
St. Paul VI Catholic High School
Chantilly, VA
Registration is Forthcoming.
Interested in being a Conference vendor or sponsor? Please email conference@portocharities.org
Keynote Speaker
Amy Julia Becker
Amy Julia Becker invites people to reimagine the good life through her writing and speaking on disability, faith, and culture. She is the author of To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, Small Talk, and A Good and Perfect Gift. She is a guest opinion writer for national publications and hosts two podcasts: Take the Next Step and Reimagining the Good Life. Becker is a graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv). She is a member of the Disability Ministry Network, as well as the Alliance for Disability Justice and Ethics in Reproductive Genetics. She lives with her husband and their three children in western Connecticut.
“Welcoming people with disabilities and responding to their needs is a duty of the civil and ecclesial communities"
Pope Francis
Past Conferences
2026 Conference
Building a Beautiful Life
Inspired by the truth that all are formed in the image of God and called to share our unique gifts, Porto Charities and the Diocese of Arlington hosted the conference Building a Beautiful Life to explore concrete ways we can cultivate a beautiful life of belonging for individuals with disabilities within our schools and parishes.​
2025 Conference
Transitions: Planning for the Future
This conference was geared towards families considering the transition of life stages of their children with disabilities, from early intervention and a family service plan to school and an IEP, or the transition from school to a meaningful adult life. Knowing that caregivers can often feel overwhelmed, stressed and isolated by the process, this full day of learning and fellowship gave the tools families and educators needed to support the transitions of individuals with disabilities. Organizer Anna Hall of Organize365 provided the keynote presentation. A resourceful vendor area with more than 30 exhibitors from the community, and over 20 presentations on various topics on disability enriched this event. More than 150 people were in attendance.
2024 Conference
Creating Communities that Foster Mental Health for All
Co-sponsored with the National Catholic Educational Association, this conference brought together mental health professionals and advocates to discuss meaningful ways our community can better serve persons with disabilities. During the keynote presentation by Mark Bradford from Word on Fire, and multiple breakout sessions, families and individuals with disabilities learned practical ways to identify and utilize support systems within the local community to help them overcome mental health struggles.
2022 Conferences
Presented by:
In Partnership with:
