Diversity Day!

Mark your calendars for November 6th 2020, Diversity Day is all virtual this year!

Here is the link to the google form for sign-ups: https://forms.gle/3uJv6CHYNFAmSmLz9

We have 15 amazing workshops this year!

1) Disability Awareness

- Brent Belisle and Valerie Smith are members of numerous advocacy groups across the state of Colorado for people with disabilities. They not only advocate for the people around them but they provide numerous opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this session you will learn from Brent what it is like living with a disability, as well as the importance of respect in school, and what you can do to make a difference!

2) Suicide Warning Signs, Prevention, and Assessment

-Croswaite Counseling, PLLC is a mental health private practice serving at risk teens and adults in the state of Colorado. Our desire to support our clients and connect them to viable resources inspired us to create a resource that would not only support professionals in assessing client risk, but connect clients to community resources in order to advocate for their care. This workshop with focus on teaching you the signs, how to prevent suicide, and how to assess suicide on a different level.

3) Sexual Assault

-We all want to intervene to prevent sexual violence from occurring, but how can we know if a behavior is sexually

inappropriate or violent? Recognizing consent is crucial for people who hope to take an active role in preventing

sexual violence and creating cultural norms that support survivors. Workshop participants will develop knowledge

and understanding regarding the dynamics of sexual violence and consent and practice ways to use their unique

personality, identity, and skill sets to intervene when consent isn’t present. Through this workshop participants

will:

1. Understand the concept of prosocial bystander intervention

2. Be able to define consent

3. Develop empathy for those who have experienced sexual violence

4. Understand their role in bystander intervention and changing social norms

5. Develop skills to safely intervene as a bystander

4) Self Expression

- Dialog is a way for groups to talk and think together, while reducing communication barriers and creating partnerships. It allows for healthy disagreement, uncovers marginalized voices and confirms consensus. We’ll practice opened ended questions, listening and use movement for self expression. Come prepared to touch on topics such as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality and economic differences.

5) Yoga

- Yoga is more than the pose. It can help us navigate our lives with strength and flexibility. In this workshop students will learn about alignment, linking breath with movement, and meditation techniques. These are tools that we can bring into our daily lives both on and off the mat.

6) Islamophobia

-Islamophobia is the discrimination and oppression of Muslims. This workshop will serve as an open forum for students and adults to ask questions freely as they learn some of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding the Islamic faith and Muslim people. This session will also help participants understand how xenophobia against any race, religion or ethnicity should not be tolerated.

7) In Plain Sight: The Truth About Human Trafficking In Our Backyard

- Would you know how to identify and protect yourself from human trafficking? The rise of social media and access to devices has increased in the number of victims in the US. Most victims are not "taken" as imagined, rather, they are groomed and recruited by people they know, community members and family. Kelly Dore, the founder of the National Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition, is here to have an honest conversation about how to recognize, identify, and protect minors from this multi-billion dollar a year scourge and who is most vulnerable in your community- it's not who you think it is.

8) Holocaust Survivor

- The Holocaust, also referred to as the Shoah, was a genocide during World War II in which Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany, aided by collaborators, murdered approximately 11 million people (1.1 million children). Six million of those victims were Jewish. Other groups targeted by the Nazis were Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, people with disabilities and Roma. A survivor of the Holocaust will share her story about living through a period of time where diversity and respect for others was at one of its lowest point in human history. Most importantly, participants will understand why we must never forget what happened during this tragic time!

9) Vietnam Vet.

-This workshop is an engaging experience for students where they can learn the insides and outs of the Vietnam war from a veterans perspective. Students will learn about what is not said in the classroom and the “behind the scenes” of the war itself. This workshop is led by none other than conifer favorite substitute teacher, Chuck. He will provide a real hands on experience with the students and maintain the loving personality that the student body has, or will, grown to love.

10) Left vs. Right

-In this workshop, students will learn not about the differences in political opinions between major American ideologies, but instead how to communicate with others who do not share their same views, and how to express their views more precisely and less offensively. This workshop will help cultivate more communication and understanding in a political climate that is often harsh and unforgiving.

11) Religion in High School

-Andrew is a Youth Pastor for Red Rocks Youth and is attending this year’s Diversity Day to talk about what religion has to offer for high schoolers as well as the general struggles that we as high schoolers face.

12) It's OK to not be OK

- Robbies hope is an organization in Colorado devoted to teens helping teens regarding suicide awareness and prevention. This presentation will discuss Kari’s personal connection with suicide and the importance of mental health and seeking help especially in the high school community. It will also discuss what the Robbies Hope message is, and how you as a high schooler can get involved. Mental health is something that so many of us struggle with and Kari will discuss that it is okay to not be okay and that there is help out there.

13) Art Therapy

- Art Therapy session will collectively look at the best methods of processing stress through art, and the healing act of catharsis that is possible through art. We will also discuss the attributes of the A.R.T process and how it can be a positive force for Conifer High as it can bridge gaps and cross cultures. Resources will also be discussed that kids and teachers can access if needed. I hope that people come ready to share something of themselves and also to receive!

14) Ecological Awareness

- Shiela DeForest is many things, but most notably she is a model, ecological activist, Mrs. ECO International 2019, and proud Filipina. Shiela will touch on what high school was like in the Philippines as well as present day climate issues and ones she’s experienced as a climate refugee.

15) LGBTQ+

-Visible Voices is an educational program that is styled as a speakers bureau (panel) made up of CSU students, staff, faculty, and community members who volunteer to share about their experiences and coming out stories. This popular program has been a valuable educational tool used to inform students about the often times misunderstood issues surrounding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth and their families.