About TWC
The longest continuously running LGBTQ+ recovery conference in North America!
Mission
The goal of Together We Can is to provide educational opportunities on substance abuse issues to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities in southwest Michigan.
About
Together We Can is a 501 (c) (3) corporation (EIN 38-2904633) organized solely for purposes relating to the education of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities on substance abuse issues.
For that purpose, we have undertaken to organize an annual conference dealing with recovery issues facing the LGBTQ and allied communities.
People from over 200 iterations of recovery programs based on the 12 steps join together for this weekend conference. All are welcome, including folks from other recovery groups and those seeking help and information about recovery. We also produce monthly fundraising events open to anyone who wants to attend a substance-free event.
This group is not officially affiliated with any 12 step program.
Conference History
According to Legend – and some “old timers” – after the annual Oxley retreat, some members thought that it would be helpful to have “something to get us through the winter”.
The beginning of this conference was a simple one-day event in March 1982.
The name “Mid-Winter Warm-up” was given to a day long session of workshops, buffet supper and dance at a members home.
The phrase “Together We Can” appeared after the first few years and became the permanent conference title in 1987.
We became a 501C (3) Non-Profit Corporation in 1990.
This has since evolved from a church basement to high profile hotels with a full weekend of varied workshops, speakers, entertainment, hospitality suites, banquet etc. – which has only been possible with the long hours of dedication of many people.
You can get involved and help us to continue the tradition!
TWC Conference Chairpersons
Year | Location | AA Chair | Al-Anon Chair |
|---|---|---|---|
1982 | St. John’s | Richard R. | N/A |
1983 | St. John’s | Don L. | N/A |
1984 | Book Cadillac | Jim P. | N/A |
1985 | St. John’s | Mike M. | N/A |
1986 | Central Methodist | Ric C. & Cindi J. | N/A |
1987 | Pontchartrain | Chuck W. | Christopher S. |
1988 | Pontchartrain | Tom D. | Greg T. |
1989 | Pontchartrain | Tom M. | Jim A. |
1990 | Pontchartrain | Nita D. | Jim A. |
1991 | Days Inn | Doug P. | Nancy M. |
1992 | Days Inn | Gary D. | Nancy M. |
1993 | Troy Marriott | Mike C. | Valencia S. |
1994 | Troy Marriott | Charles L. | Sheila T. |
1995 | Troy Marriott | Sue M. | Janet H. |
1996 | Troy Marriott | Gary K. | Janet H. |
1997 | Troy Marriott | Carol S. | Sandy G. |
1998 | Troy Marriott | Rick C. | Bernie P. |
1999 | Troy Marriott | Barb A. | Mary Kay J. |
2000 | Troy Marriott | Rhonda H. | Nancy M. |
2001 | Troy Marriott | Gar P. | Nancy M. |
2002 | Troy Marriott | Tim D. | Jean P. |
2003 | Troy Marriott | Chris B. | Bernie P. |
2004 | Troy Marriott | Chuck C. | Ken D. |
2005 | Troy Marriott | Sherry V. | Linda T. |
2006 | Troy Marriott | Sam M. | Jon W. |
2007 | Troy Marriott | Terri J. | Tim H. |
2008 | Troy Marriott | Wendy W. | Ed B. |
2009 | Troy Marriott | Dan JC. | John W. |
2010 | Troy Marriott | Eric W. | Sharise S. |
2011 | Troy Marriott | Sheila M. | Beth G. |
2012 | Troy Marriott | Eric R. | Cliff C. |
2013 | Troy Marriott | Marty S. | Gisela S. |
2014 | Troy Marriott | Steve L. | Randall R. |
2015 | Troy Marriott | Joe Z. | Tab B. |
2016 | Troy Marriott | Rob B. | Julie M. |
2017 | Troy Marriott | Moe C. | Pam L. |
2018 | Troy Marriott | Ted T. | Linda T. |
2019 | Troy Marriott | Melanie W. | Tim H. |
2020 | Cancelled | Ryan M. | Rebecca G. |
2021 | Online | Sherry V. | Ryan M. |
2022 | Livonia Marriott | Hugh G. | Ed B. |
2023 | Livonia Marriott | Chris F. | Bernie P. |
2024 | Livonia Marriott | Charles C. | Eric R. |
2025 | Livonia Marriott | Jeremy H. | Shannon G. |
2026 | Livonia Marriott | Brandy Joe P. | Jenna U. |
2027 | Romulus Marriott | Jeremy H. | Reenie W. |
