In-person and on Zoom, click here for the Zoom Link
July 6 Immigration—Challenges and Solutions
Emmie Gardner, Holy Cross Ministries, Executive Director
Immigrants, even those with permanent residency, appear to be under attack. Emmie Gardner, Executive Director of Holy Cross Ministries, one of the local nonprofits that provides comprehensive services to the immigrant community, will let us know what problems have surfaced and discuss proposed solutions. Members of our church’s Immigration Justice Team will briefly describe our work.
July 13 How Can Utahns Influence the Utah Legislature to Protect the Environment?
Representative Doug Owens
Rep. Owens has been at the forefront of advocating for the environment in the Utah legislature. We will hear about how we, the public, can be most effective.
July 20 Limited Water and Fragile Landscapes
Zach Frankel, Utah Rivers Council, Executive Director
Water in Utah is a precious resource. We need it, our farmers need it. But so does the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River. What needs to happen to ensure our environment gets its fair share?
July 27 Building Trans and Queer Power
Jacey Thornton, Project Rainbow, Executive Director
Project Rainbow Utah was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2018 to create widespread, visible demonstrations of community love and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. With a deep commitment to fostering belonging and empowerment, Jacey has focused on creating inclusive spaces and amplifying marginalized voices across the state. Her advocacy work has guided Project Rainbow to new heights, driving initiatives that promote visibility and celebrate diversity within Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.
August 3 Fire in Utah in a Warming Climate
Professor Patrick Belmont, USU Watershed Sciences Department
Professor Paul Rogers, USU Environment and Society Department
We’ve seen the devastation of the wildfires in Los Angeles and other places. We too live in a fire-prone landscape. What fire dangers might we be looking at? How will climate change affect these? And what does that mean for our homes and homeownership?
August 10 Homelessness – Challenges and Possible Solutions in Utah’s Capital City
Andrew Johnston, Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach, Salt Lake City
Preston Cochrane, The Other Side Village, CEO
Salt Lake City’s Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach will present SLC’s current activities and plans.
The Other Side Village will present its “Solutions to Homelessness – A Human First Approach to Transformation,” redefining the path out of chronic homelessness through a deeply relational model. Compassion, connection and faith are at the heart of rebuilding lives.
August 17 Feeding Hungry Families in Utah: Policy Advocacy and Food Access
Gina Cornia, Utahns Against Hunger, Executive Director
Jeanie Delaney, Utah Food Bank, Agency Relations Specialist
Panelists will discuss how recent congressional actions are affecting food access for low income families and how we might advocate to protect SNAP and other food programs. They will also: describe how the Utah Food Bank sources and delivers food throughout Utah, and discuss opportunities for donations and volunteerism.
August 24 Peacemaking
Professor Chad Ford, Utah State University, Religious Studies
Chad Ford, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, specializes in intercultural and religious peacebuilding. Chad’s book: "Dangerous Love: Transforming Fear and Conflict at Home, at Work and in the World" (Berrett-Koehler, 2020) has been described as the "single best book about conflict and peace for a general readership.” He’s made more than 50 trips to the Middle East and has worked as a mediator and facilitator on numerous other conflicts around the world.