PORTLAND — The Immigrant Resource Center of Maine will host its Building Bridges conference from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Holiday Inn By the Bay, 88 Spring St.

National experts, local leaders and community members will discuss issues that arise in the gender and sexual-based violence field in Maine. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

There will be workshops throughout the day.

Freda Luzinda, country director of Child Advocacy of Africa, will be the keynote speaker. She began advocating for orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda during her time working in the U.S. embassy in Kampala processing adoption visas. She’s an attorney who fights and advocates for justice for vulnerable children and orphans, including trafficking victims. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in social work.

The group will also host its 10-year anniversary after the conference beginning at 5 p.m. The event includes dinner and dessert, speakers and community awards. Cost is $40.

FMI, register: www.ircofmaine.org.