Promoting CommUNITY at the Eugene Family YMCA
Overview
This inspiring educational series invites us to explore ways to build awareness, compassion and kindness in our everyday lives. Each month centers around a new theme, offering opportunities to connect beyond our differences, foster meaningful relationships, and grow as better neighbors and community members. We will explore the monthly themes taking guidance from:
Guest speakers. We'll hear from experts who bring fresh insights on each month’s theme, helping us better understand and support one another.
Book clubs. We'll dive into curated reads tied to the monthly topic, sparking thought-provoking and heartfelt conversations. Participants must purchase their own copies of the books; if this cost is a barrier and library copies aren't available, please reach out to the event coordinator, Cass Averill.
Together, let’s gain the skills to be active allies and create a stronger, more unified community. Join us and be part of something meaningful!
You're invited to join just one session or multiple sessions throughout the year!
Y membership not required to attend. Please sign up for a FREE COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP, which grants you access to free programs like this, before your register for a session.
Drop-ins welcome! No prior attendance required—join us for any that interest you.
Know a teenager who might be interested in this offering? We are also hosting a parallel series for middle- and high-schoolers!
Themes
February: Understanding Racial Equity
March: Gender Equity and Empowerment
April: Disability Awareness and Advocacy
May: Ageism and Age Discrimination Awareness
September: The History and Experience of Refugees and Immigrants in America
October: LGBTQ+ Inclusion
November: Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Inclusion
Non-Y members are welcome to attend any or all of these sessions, but will need to sign up for a free Community Membership in order to register.
May: Ageism and Age Discrimination Awareness
Join us as we talk about ageism, how it shows up in our lives and society, from everyday biases to bigger systemic issues. We'll dive into how these ageist attitudes affect our mental and physical health, and how they shape the way we see ourselves as we age. Plus, we'll explore how our age, identity and how we view ourselves all play a role in the aging process. This event, part of the Promoting CommUNITY series hosted by the Eugene Family YMCA, is a chance to learn, connect, and take action toward a more welcoming and supportive community for all ages. Don't miss out, come be part of the conversation and help make a difference!
OPTIONAL READING: This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
If you would like to read about the topics we will be dicussing ahead of time, we invite you to read This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite. In this book, Ashton Applewhite challenges the deep-seated biases and stereotypes surrounding aging, urging us to rethink what it means to grow older. With wit, research, and personal insight, she exposes the social and economic forces that fuel age discrimination and offers a powerful call to action for building a more inclusive, age-positive world.
Speaker and Book Discusion Meeting
- DATE: Tuesday, May. 13, 4 to 6 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early if possible.
- LOCATION: Kalapuya Community Room (first floor). Light refreshments provided!
- COST: Free
- SPEAKER: Andy Fernandez
- OPTIONAL READING*: This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
*Tsunami Books has generously partnered with the Y to offer a 20% discount to the first 10 customers who purchase This Chair Rocks from them! Just mention the YMCA book club when you check out.
Summary: In This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, Ashton Applewhite challenges the deep-seated biases and stereotypes surrounding aging, urging us to rethink what it means to grow older. With wit, research, and personal insight, she exposes the social and economic forces that fuel age discrimination and offers a powerful call to action for building a more inclusive, age-positive world. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to challenge assumptions, spark meaningful conversations, and embrace aging with confidence and curiosity. Join us for a lively discussion as we unpack Applewhite's eye-opening manifesto and explore ways to disrupt ageism in our own lives!
Speaker Bio: Andy Fernandez is currently the Section Manager for Senior/Adult, Adaptive, Athletics/Fitness and Outdoor Recreation Services with the City of Eugene Recreation Division. He started his career at the City in 2006 as the Adaptive Recreation Services manager at the Hilyard Community Center. Andy has worked with seniors for the last 8 years. He has worked with people with and without disabilities since 1988 in places like Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nevada. An advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities, he has served in a variety of leadership roles on a number of other local/state/and national boards and committees and continues to say “yes” before thinking. Andy is a first generation Cuban American, an avid coffee drinker and amateur chef. He also claims to be part-time coach, occasional home-brewer, adjunct professor, novice raft guide, former soccer player, mediocre snowboarder, frustrated fisherman, bashful musician, tireless husband, sleepless father of three, frequent traveler, and occasional jokester.
