Promoting CommUNITY - For Teens
Overview
This inspiring educational series (a parallel offering to the adult series) invites middle- and high-schoolers to explore ways to build awareness, compassion and kindness in their everyday lives. Each month centers around a new theme, offering opportunities to connect beyond our differences, foster meaningful relationships, and grow as better friends, allies and community members. We will explore the monthly themes in two meetings per month, taking guidance from:
Guest speakers. We'll hear from cool guest speakers 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 or source library copies the books*.
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!
Themes
February: Understanding Racial Equity (details below)
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.
April: Disability Awareness and Advocacy
Join us as we explore Disability Awareness and Advocacy, focusing on the importance of respectful, inclusive language and the barriers individuals with disabilities face in our communities. We'll also discuss how we can become better allies and advocates for people with disabilities. This event, part of the Promoting CommUNITY series hosted by the Eugene Family YMCA, invites us to learn, connect, and take meaningful action to build a more inclusive and supportive world. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, grow, and become the best community members and neighbors we can be!
Cookies, Cocoa and Book Discussion
DATE: Thursday, Apr. 17, 4 to 5 p.m.- LOCATION: Corner Hut (Youth Wing)
- COST: Free
- BOOK*: Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman
*Tsunami Books has generously partnered with the Y to offer a 20% discount to the first 10 customers who purchase Stuck in Neutral from them! Just mention the YMCA book club when you check out.
Summary:Shawn McDaniel's life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. He is glued to his wheelchair, unable to voluntarily move a muscle—he can't even move his eyes. For all Shawn's father knows, his son may be suffering. Shawn may want a release. And as long as he is unable to communicate his true feelings to his father, Shawn's life is in danger. To the world, Shawn's senses seem dead. Within these pages, however, we meet a side of him that no one else has seen—a spirit that is rich beyond imagining, breathing life.
