This year the Be the Change Summit will be a series of virtual events that will explore themes identified by the Riverview Youth Council, such as how to tame stress, how to avoid toxic relationships, and how to form meaningful community connections.
The series will feature short presentations (10 minutes) by special guests followed by a Q&A. In addition, we will also offer an opportunity to sign up for virtual sharing circles where registered participants can participate in an intentional check-in activity in small groups.
Thursday- July 9th 6:30-8pm
Session 1: Anti-Racism, Social Solidarity & Brave Spaces
Featuring: Luis Ortega, Storytellers for Change
Virtual Story Circles: What is anti-racism? How can we engage in social solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice efforts? How can we create brave spaces for dialogue?
Thursday- July 23rd 6:30-8pm
Session 2: Transitions: Celebration, Grief & Healing
Featuring: Luis Ortega, Storytellers for Change
Virtual Story Circles: What has changed in your community? What hasn’t changed? What do you need to feel supported in this moment? How can we support each other in this moment?
Thursday- August 6th 6:30-8pm
Session 3: Taming Stress
Stress- we all have experienced it! Sometimes, stress can be useful in helping us prepare for a project or get something done. However, stress can also be hard to work through. This session will help us learn and practice ideas for taming stress so that it doesn’t get in the way.
Thursday- August 27th 6:30-8pm
Session 4: Building Positive Relationships and How to Steer Clear of Toxic Relationships (for attendees 13 year old and older- adults welcome)
Building positive relationships takes work! Recognizing an unhealthy relationship can be hard.
Participants will explore:
1. How to identify unhealthy relationship behaviors
2. Strategies to promote healthy relationship behaviors
3. Tips on communicating boundaries to others
This event features Alyson Paris, Crisis Intervention Specialist- Y Social Impact Center and Marykate Tihinen, Mental Health and Substance Use Therapist- Unified Behavioral Health.
