Interested? Reach out to us today at civildiscourse@gvsu.edu or contact Lisa M. Perhamus, Director of the Center, at PerhamuL@gvsu.edu for more information!
Workshop Testimonials
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
"I walked into the training feeling unsure of what to expect. Civil discourse feels so far away from our complex community conversations that sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Through this training, step by step, one story after another, I felt encouraged by the practical, relevant, and tangible tools I was collecting. My overwhelm was being replaced by excitement thinking about exercising a new approach."
~Workshop Participant
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College
As heated rhetoric continues to divide us, how do we talk to each other? More importantly, how do we listen to each other? These questions formed the foundation of our workshop with the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Discourse. We wanted our community of lifelong learners at Aquinas College to embrace their role as peacemakers, increase their understanding of strangers and loved ones, and help lower our collective temperature on the brink of a pivotal election season. Our workshop, facilitated by Lisa Perhamus, PhD, provided an opportunity to hear and be heard through interactive discussion. Lisa was very attentive and responsive to those present, showing grace to the concerns and vulnerability of all participants. Not only was Lisa communicative throughout the planning process, she facilitated a productive and positive workshop while providing additional resources for continued development.
~Ian MacNeil, Director, OLLI at Aquinas College
