September 17: Social Media and Teens
Rose Wesche, Virginia Tech. Rose researches adolescent development at Virginia Tech. She will discuss how social media provides opportunities and risks for teenagers. This presentation’s purpose is to empower families to make safe and healthy choices about social media use. 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

October 1: Supporting Transgender Youth and Families
Shannon McKay, Executive Director of He She Ze and We. In 2012, Shannon co-founded HSZW as a peer to peer support group during her own search for a better understanding of gender diversity, specifically in youth. 8:30-9:30 AM

October 15: Voting Rights in Virginia: History, Present, and What’s Next?
Carolyn Rude, Communications Coordinator with Montgomery Co. League of Women Voters. Virginia has a long history of limiting voting rights. In 2020, the General Assembly made it easier to vote by such means as expanding early and absentee voting and enabling Election Day voter registration. Will the 2024 General Assembly expand or restrict voting rights? 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

November 5: Springhouse: Building Culture that Takes Care of Life
Sarah Merfeld Stabler, Associate Director, Springhouse. Sarah will be discussing the history and philosophy behind Springhouse and Sourced Design, and their offerings for youth, adults and the community. 8:30-9:30 AM

November 19: Thanksgiving–An Evolving Tradition

Paul Quigley, Virginia Tech. Thanksgiving has been an evolving tradition throughout American history, celebrated in different ways and for different purposes. We’ll explore Thanksgiving’s mythical colonial origins, the beginnings of official status as an annual national holiday during the Civil War, and persistent tensions between Native American history and U.S. national mythology.  11:30 AM-12:30 PM