Next week - Building and Sustaining Bridges

Welcome Guest Speaker, Mel Burns

So, you want to build community and decrease polarization - but, why should your neighbors make room for you in their busy lives? What about your family member who continues to quote misinformation and fake statistics? Why should "weird uncle Al" care about your opinion or worldview? Talking to people is hard, and often it feels like it doesn't help (just take a look at the comment section online) - so where do we go from here? Let’s gather and chat about building bridges in today's neighborhoods, and why, just maybe, they should be boulevards instead.

Disclaimer: no prior knowledge of roadway types or city planning is required. Any actual experts in this area should be prepared for disappointment in the speakers’ likely incorrect use of terms. ;)

A bit about mel

Mel has a background in social work and is currently at the thesis stage of a Masters degree with a focus on Religion, Peace, and Justice. Mel has led a wide range of staff both in case management and programming for refugees and newcomers to Canada and in New Zealand in an Indigenous organization providing support to youth beneficiaries and young parents.

Mel has experience facilitating workshops on a variety of topics related to social work and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Mel believes that all life is created equal and that each human we encounter has the ability to teach us a unique and valuable truth, if only we take the time to pause and pay attention. Mel is a proud member of the queer community, a regular tree-hugger, a donut connoisseur, and a lover of continuous learning.