Are you concerned with the direction is country is headed? Are you looking for a way to get involved in social justice work but unsure of where to start? Come learn about groups working in Vermont who need more people power!

In coordination with Dr. Laura Clemmons, Burlington High School, and a committee of community members, this is a day-long event that will allow people to find ways to get involved in the good work happening in Vermont. This is a public event open to all; Youth, adults, and seniors are all encouraged to attend.

Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/LlM92HjinROjgkDE2
Lunch will be provided to all. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. It's free for high school students. Registration fee is $20 for general public, and $10 for people under 25.

Schedule for the day
8:30 – 9:15 Registration and opening reception
9:15 – 9:45 Welcome remarks
10:00 – 10:45 Session I
11:00 – 11:45 Session II
12 – 1:00 Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 Session III
2:15 – 3:00 Session IV
3:15 – 3:30 Closing reception

Some of the presenting and tabling groups include: Let's Grow Kids, Champlain Valley Amnesty International, HOPE Works, ACLU of Vermont, 350 Vermont, Digital Civic Underground, Vermonters For Justice in Palestine, Black Lives Matter Greater Burlington, Rights and Democracy, Vermont Interfaith Action, Speak Up Roosevelt Forum, Outright Vermont, Constitutional Council of Accountability with Law Enforcement Officials VT, Migrant Justice/Justicia Migrante, Justice For All, Play in the Wild!, Vermont Climate Union, Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund, Change the Story VT, Coalition for Social Equity and Ethnic Studies.

There will be a couple Student Panels, featuring our very own Willoughby Carlo, as well as students from Race Up, Generation of Social Change, and Student Diversity Union members from various area High Schools.

This year, in addition to having presentations and panels this event is featuring a number of 90 minute Community Conversations that explore a number of different issues and topics. Check out just some of them below:

What is Prejudice Really? presented by Sherwood Smith: This session explores the development of prejudice from a Western scholarly viewpoint. The concepts of bias, discrimination, hatred, genocide and prejudice are key themes in the study of human behavior and attitude. We seek to better understand the emotions and behavioral expressions associated with prejudice. The study of prejudice seeks to empower us to more clearly understand its role in our own lives and those we interact with.

A Local Perspective: A History of Burlington in the American Context presented by Nate Gondelman: This conversation include an overview of Burlington history within the context of what was occurring in the state and the country in general. Particular attention will be paid to Burlington's economic development, the growth of different cultural identities through immigration, influential figures in Burlington's history, and particular issues or events that continue to have resonance for Burlington residents today.

Truth or Consequences: Whose History Do We Tell? presented by Elise Guyette: This is a discussion of the importance of seeing ourselves in history. She will discuss how the absence of seeing her people in history books affected her as a youngster and later prompted her to research those usually left out of written narratives. She will seek to have others share their experiences. Depending on the interests of the group, participants could also discuss how to impact the history curricula of their school districts.

Step UP: Think.Care.Act-Bystander Intervention Training- This 2 hour training is a pro-social behavior and bystander intervention program that helps people be proactive in helping others. The training takes you through the 5 decision making process to intervening. The goals of the program are to: Raise awareness of helping behaviors, increase motivation to help, develop skills and confidence when responding to problems or concerns, and ensure the safety and well-being of self and others.

Implicit Bias presented by Vermont Human Rights Commission-The mission of the Vermont Human Rights Commission is to promote full civil and human rights in Vermont. The Commission protects people from unlawful discrimination in housing, state government employment, and public accommodations. A place of public accommodation is any establishment, such as a school, restaurant, office, or store that offers facilities, goods or services to the general public.

Register today! If you have questions or need additional information please contact: Kina Thorpe at (802) 863-2345 x6 or email program@pjcvt.org.

Thanks!

Kyle Silliman-Smith
Program Director at the Peace & Justice Center

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