Volunteers build understanding and deep relationships through learning community events.

Volunteers get to know one another, learn from nationally renowned speakers, engage in interfaith dialogue, and develop strategies to engage others in the work of creating real, systemic change in Greater Saint Paul.

Upcoming

July 18 | 6 – 9 pm, location TBD

Recent Learning Community Events

May 9 | 6 – 8:30 pm | Trauma-Informed Care
Presenter: Aiyana Machado, E3 Education, Excellence & Equity
Topics: understanding trauma and its impact on brain development, cultural resilience, and new tools to help volunteers in their work with students & clients

Learning Community Event #4: March 14, 2019
Motivational Interviewing

OSP volunteers interact with a wide range of community members. When people of differing cultures and socio-economic backgrounds work together, their communication styles and expectations can vary. This learning community event focused on one specific method for achieving this outcome — Motivational Interviewing.

Event Summary |  Motivational Interviewing PowerPoint | Summary Video  |  Reginald Prince Video

Learning Community Event #3: January 29, 2019
Building Strong Volunteer Relationships

Volunteering is a critical way to effect social change in underserved communities—even with a minimal time commitment. Opportunity Saint Paul’s partners depend on volunteer labor to expand work that changes lives. Successful volunteer experiences rely on building effective, authentic relationships between volunteers and clients. Brooke Hanson Rivers and Xander Gershberg from Reading Partners provide insight into how volunteers can build authentic relationships with the people with whom they work.

Event Summary  |  Video

Learning Community Event #2: November 29, 2018
Dr. Becky Evan on the topic “Unconscious Bias”

Part of our human experience is our brain’s ability to continually make behind-the-scenes decisions to get through our day efficiently. This unconscious bias is mostly a good thing but it’s important to understand how unconscious bias negatively affects our thoughts and behaviors. This interactive session will help us understand what unconscious bias is, how it manifests itself in our relationships, and how we can take steps to create more innovative, caring, and inclusive relationships with those around us.

Event Summary |  Video |  PowerPoint on data | PowerPoint on Unconscious Bias

Learning Community Event #1: October 11, 2018
Experience Poverty: Interactive Poverty Simulation with PlaySpent.org

Playspent.org is an online poverty simulation tool developed by Urban Ministries of Durham. During this simulation, you are asked to make choices about how you will earn and spend money. Some choices have consequences when made, and job loss is always a possibility. Using this online tool helps you experience just a small percentage of what it feels like to live in poverty

Event Summary  |  PowerPoint |  Video