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 in two meetings per month, 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!
Know a teenager who might be interested in this offering? We are also hosting a parallel series for middle- and high-schoolers!
Timeline
Semester 1 will take place from February through May 2025
Semester 2 will take place from September through November 2025
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.
Next Meetings
Semester 1, Theme 2: Gender Equity and Empowerment
Join us in March as we break down what sexism and gender oppression really means, from its history to how it shows up in our daily lives. We'll talk about the harmful effects of stereotypes and objectification, and discuss simple ways we can challenge these ideas. We'll also explore how gender inequality affects our health and well-being, and how we can work toward a more fair and supportive world together.
Book Discussion Meeting
DATE: Tuesday, Mar. 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early.- LOCATION: Kalapuya Community Room (first floor). Light refreshments provided!
- COST: Free
- BOOK*: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – this is a short read, only about 50 pages!
*Tsunami Books has generously partnered with the Y to offer a 20% discount to the first 10 customers who purchase We Should All Be Feminists from them! Just mention the YMCA book club when you check out.
Summary: In this personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from the much-admired TEDx talk of the same name—Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and her deep understanding of the often masked realities of sexual politics, here is one remarkable author’s exploration of what it means to be a woman now—and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists.
Semester 1, Theme 3: 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!
Speaker Meeting
- DATE: Tuesday, Apr. 8, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Kalapuya Community Room
- COST: Free
- SPEAKER: TBA
