In this workshop, students will learn about rape culture, sexual violence, and consent. Through discussion and group activities, they will ask and answer: What is it, and what can we do about it? 

Presenter bio: Courtney Schwalbach is part of the RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Outreach, Education, and Prevention team. As the Prevention Specialist, I spend much of my time working to empower young activists and support their visions for safer communities. I have a background in youth work, and I hold a degree in Gender & Women’s Studies, Legal Studies, and Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin. 

We'll learn about bodies and how they work, debunk myths, and explore how culture and media can influence sexual health and autonomy. Bring your questions and curiosity to this safe, respectful space. 

Presenter bio: Emily Beaman, DNP, CNM, APNP, is the full-time nurse at West. Prior to coming to West last year, she practiced midwifery in clinic and hospital settings, providing sexual and reproductive health and primary care to a diverse patient population for 10 years. 

This workshop will be centered around how to support LGBTQ+ youth. We will talk about terminology and definitions, why it's so important to support LGBTQ+ youth, and how to support and protect LGBTQ+ youth. 

Presenter Bios: 

Tyrone Creech Jr. (he/him) is the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at GSAFE. He comes from one of the longest standing black families in Madison, going back four full generations. Graduating from East High School in 2007, Tyrone went on to UW-Platteville to focus on his successful post high school athletics, where he discovered himself and came out at the age of 21. Upon returning to Madison, he’s gone back to pursuing higher education at MATC, focusing on a Communications degree with emphasis on LGBTQIA+. Tyrone has worked with GSAFE as an adult mentor for over four years, being a staple at the Leadership Training Institute camp that is held every year. Since sports have been a part of his life for so long, he dreams of one day focusing his advocacy in the queer community on LGBTQIA+ young athletes, providing guidance through his experiences and hope to nurture their confidence and activism into their future lives. No matter the occasion, Tyrone brings his leadership, confidence, and loveable personality to the table in hopes of positively influencing everyone he connects with.

Sue Neeley (she/her) is the Director of Youth Programming and Family Engagement at GSAFE. She is very passionate about serving children and youth and supporting educators and families. Sue has worked with children and youth as an Assistant Director (Pre-K through 5th) at Goodman Community Center. All of the work she has done, since graduating from Winona State University in 2006, has been centered around children and youth in some capacity. Sue is a first generation American. Her parents left Laos and stayed in a refugee camp in Thailand during the Secret War in Laos. They were later able to immigrate to the United States with most of their family. She speaks Lao fluently and enjoys cooking and sharing Asian cuisine with her family and friends. Sue is a proud wife and a mother to 3 beautiful children and 2 lovely dogs. When she's not working or volunteering, Sue enjoys walking in the woods, dancing, martial arts, playing games, and singing karaoke.

Teen Dating Violence 101 will go over the root causes of gender-based violence in society. During this presentation, students will learn how to identify teen dating violence and learn everyday bystander techniques for preventing teen dating violence. This presentation will also cover the services offered by the only domestic violence shelter in Dane County, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), and how to access the DAIS shelter and other services. 

About DAIS The Prevention, Education, and Outreach team at DAIS provides a variety of community education presentations and workshops to any audience looking to learn more about different topics related to Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence. In collaboration with community partners, they facilitate the DAIS primary prevention program MENS Club with the goal of eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault through social change and community building. 

Know Your Rights is a workshop designed to serve as a guide to LGBTQ+ students, families, educators, and allies. You will learn more about federal, state, and local policies that are in place to protect you so that you can better advocate for yourself as needed. We are not lawyers and are not giving legal advice, however we are here to support you and share resources that might help you. 

Presenter Bio: Katie Rickert (she/her) is the Associate Director of Youth Leadership and Advocacy at GSAFE. Before stepping into this role, Katie facilitated district-wide LGBTQIA+ advocacy efforts for the Madison Metropolitan School District, and worked as a classroom teacher at Sherman Middle School on the northside of Madison. Katie felt drawn to work with GSAFE to continue her work around advocacy in education, and she is driven by the urgent need for LGBTQIA+ youth of color to see themselves represented in leadership and feel supported as they navigate their identities.

Katie is a Milwaukee native and moved to Madison to attend Edgewood College. She holds a degree in K-12 Education and has experience teaching Spanish at all levels, as well as ESL in the U.S and abroad. Katie is a queer woman and an Indian-adoptee. In her free time, Katie loves hiking, kayaking, writing, traveling, painting and spending time with her family. 

Where art and activism collide, a workshop to inspire creative thinking and writing while confronting social justice issues and elevating your personal experiences. 

Presenter Bios: 

Ali Muldrow: Parent, Partner, MMSD Board of Education Treasurer, Tuesday host of a Public Affair on WORT 89.9 FM

Mary Swenson: English teacher / educator, Instructional Coach, poetry lover 

How do YOU imagine the future of the world? This workshop is an opportunity to envision a future you want to occupy. We'll work through a set of brief writing exercises designed to help you voice your hopes and dreams for the future of our shared planet.

Presenter Bios: 

Lauren J. Lacey is an Associate Professor of English at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, where she teaches courses in contemporary literature, gender studies, and environmental studies. Her scholarly publications include The Past that Might Have Been, the Future That May Come: Women Writing Fantastic Fiction, 1960s to the Present (McFarland, 2014), and her fiction has recently appeared in magazines including Silver Blade, Electric Spec, and Tree and Stone.

Rebecca Dickman is a senior at Edgewood College majoring in English and minoring in Art and Psychology. She currently works as a writing tutor and the Student Manager within the tutoring spaces at Edgewood. Additionally, she serves as a youth arts instructor for MSCR.  After she graduates this spring, she plans to attend graduate school for English Literature. 

Shay Pollard is a senior at Edgewood College majoring in English and minoring in Religious Studies. She plans to teach middle or high school post-graduation while working on a writing career, creating stories that promote critical thinking on how we relate to other created beings within our shared world. 

Jenna Sanchez is a student at Edgewood College studying Sociology, Spanish, and English. She is also a softball player for Edgewood and has been playing since she was 8-years-old. She enjoys reading, watching Grey’s Anatomy, and spending time with her family and friends!

Every community in Wisconsin is affected by hate, hate crimes, and violence. We may not know where or when violence will occur, but we can plan how to respond with strength and resilience. This workshop will introduce students to recent stories of hate crimes from across the state and begin a discussion about what students can do to work against hate in our communities. 

Presenter bio: Benny Witkovsky (WHS class '08) is the coordinator of the Youth Powered for Unity project on hate crimes and hate motivated violence in Wisconsin.