Broaden your worldview with stories that confront bias and explore other cultures. Focus on a new theme each month as we start conversations about our diverse world. We'll learn strategies to start and extend conversations about our diverse world, even with younger children.
Building Bridges programs for Children
Building Bridges programs for Adults
Past Programs
Sat / Oct. 17 Building Bridges for Kids: Politics How can kids understand that politics is just how people figure out what is best for the group? This program discusses different forms of government and how decisions are made. Activities to complete at homeProgram handout with resources
Mon / Nov. 9 / 6:30-7:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Immigration: via Zoom We will spend some time using children’s books to discuss why some people immigrate, and why immigration has made our country the wonderful, innovative place we know. A Zoom link will be sent to you before the program. Please include an e-mail address with registration. Registration Required.For Families.
Wed / Dec. 9 / 6:30-7:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Poverty: via Zoom Come to a storytime where we learn about ways poverty can affect friends, community, and families. Learn how to discuss poverty in an age-appropriate way with your children. Discuss ways children can help our community. For Families. Program handout with resources
Wed / May 19 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: LGTBQ+ What might you say if a loved one came out to you? Join us in a welcoming space to practice empathy and understanding. We'll share books and activities to celebrate diversity and explore LGBTQ+ stories. For Families. Program handout with resources
Wed / Jul 28 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Anxiety - via Zoom We'll discuss anxiety and how to approach the problem using children's books. Join us for friendly conversation in a welcoming space to practice empathy and understanding. For Families.
Wed / Aug. 11 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: New Sibling - via Zoom We'll discuss dealing with a new sibling using children's books. Join us for friendly conversation in a welcoming space to practice empathy and understanding. For Families. Program handout with resources
Wed / Sep. 29 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Race - via Zoom It's important for everyone to talk about race, but that conversation can feel intimidating. Join us in a non-judgmental space to explore stories, talk, and practice empathy together. For Families. Program handout with resources
Tue / Sep. 28 / 11 a.m. Building Bridges: Interviewing for Jobs with a Criminal Record Interviews can be stressful, especially if you have a felony on your record. Come to this workshop to learn how to talk to potential employers honestly about your past while highlighting your skills.
Wed / Nov. 17 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Bodily Autonomy - via Zoom Join us in a non-judgmental space to explore stories, talk, and practice empathy together. Sources Used
Tue / Nov. 16 / 6 p.m. Building Bridges: Women in Jazz Women have been involved in jazz since the early 1920s, not just as vocalists, but as instrumentalists, composers & arrangers. Master flutist and lecturer, Galen Abdur-Razzaq, will perform and educate.
Wed / Dec. 15 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Friendship Problems This month we'll discuss Friendship and problems that might arise between friends. We'll share books where friends have conflict. We'll discuss ways to resolve conflict and deal with issues that your child may face among their classmates. Program Handout with Resources
Thu / Jan 13 / 6-7 p.m. Building Bridges: Movie Discussion -- "Carry Me Home" Join us for a discussion of the film "Carry Me Home." The documentary looks at how death and funerals are experienced in the African American community. For this discussion, you will need to watch the movie before the discussion. You can watch it on Kanopy here
Wed / Jan. 19 / 6:30 p.m. Building Bridges for Kids: Gender Identity: via Zoom What does your gender mean to you? How do you express yourself? Join us as we share books and activities and explore gender-diverse stories. We'll learn strategies to start and extend conversations about our diverse world, even with younger children.
Thu / Feb. 17 / 6 p.m. Building Bridges: "The Hate U Give" Book/Movie Discussion Join us for a discussion of the book/movie "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas. For this discussion, you will need to read the book and/or watch the movie before the discussion. Copies of both the movie and the book are available for check-out at all JCPL branches.
Wed / Mar. 30 / 6 p.m. Building Bridges: "African Americans in World War II" film screening Watch the Army Department's 1997 documentary, "African Americans in World War II: Legacy of Patriotism and Valor." Popcorn will be served and a discussion will follow the movie.
Wed / Apr. 6 / 6 p.m. / White River Branch Building Bridges Movie and Discussion: "Maine Girls: Teens Bridge Ethnic & Cultural Divides" Join us to watch a short documentary "Maine Girls: Teens Bridge Ethnic & Cultural Divides" and then stay for a discussion. Refreshments will be provided.
Wed | Apr. 20 | 6 p.m. | White River Branch Building Bridges for Kids: Words Matter Words Matter: The story you tell at home will go with your children to school, church, and social gatherings. Hear stories, practice kindness, and learn ways we can tell a better story within our families. Program handout with resources
Thu | May 26 | 6 p.m. | Trafalgar Branch Building Bridges Movie Discussion: Vice President Kamala Harris: Chase the Dream via Kanopy Watch this documentary about Vice President Kamala Harris on Kanopy and come ready to talk about this remarkable woman and her place in history.
Wed • Jul. 20 • 6 p.m. • Trafalgar Branch Building Bridges for Kids: Climate Change "Climate change" is something we hear a lot about these days. Join us for some stories and conversation to learn more about what's happening and how we can work together to stop it.
Wed | Jul. 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch Building Bridges for Adults: "Dreamland" by Sam Quinones Build Bridges with a discussion of "Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opioid Epidemic" by Sam Quinones.
Wed • Aug. 24 • 6 p.m. • White River Branch Building Bridges for Kids: Diversity and Disability We'll discuss diversity and disability using picture books as conversation starters. Program handout with resources
Thu • Sep. 1 • 6 p.m. • Trafalgar Branch Build Bridges with a discussion of "Crossing: My Journey to the Shattered Heart of Syria" by Samar Yazbek. After being forced to flee in 2011, Samar Yazbek visits her homeland by crossing the border with Turkey. She find a country devastated by occupation and war. Yazbek gives a raw look into the life of those still living in Syria.
Wed • Oct 5 • 6:30 p.m. • Franklin Branch Building Bridges for Kids: Empathy
Tue • Oct 11 • 6:30 p.m. • Franklin Branch Building Bridges - Coming Out October is LGBTQ+ history month. Hear experiences of coming out and living openly gay on National Coming Out Day.
Tue • Nov 15 • 6:30 p.m. • Clark Pleasant Branch Building Bridges: White Supremacy and Environmental Racism Learn about white supremacy & its origins in N. America, beginning w/ colonization & enslavement. Public historian Ben Clark will show how those legacies shape our relationships w/ the environment.
Wed • Dec 14 • 6:00 p.m. • White River Branch Building Bridges for Kids: Kindness We'll hear stories about spreading kindness and then create a craft to help us remember our action affect the world around us.
