Welcome to Community Togetherness! We’re so glad you’re here.
In this course, we will use reflective writing prompts, articles and videos, and short educational topic explorations about what it means to be in community. Mentees and mentors will consider the importance of togetherness, examine how individual actions affect group dynamics, and explore strategies for building stronger, more connected communities through this course, and journey meetings.
Course material and lesson plans are curated and developed by the teaching artist and GWN Staff, Sally Familia
Learning Objectives
- Use writing prompts to guide your understanding of what it means to be in community.
- Recognize the importance of togetherness.
- Examine how our individual actions impact the communities we belong to.
- Explore community-building strategies.
Requirements
Summer 2025: Community Togetherness
- 2 pair sessions per month
- Attend all live Journey Meetings (see the Engagement Dates section below)
- Complete all lessons provided in the course Summer 2025: Community Togetherness
- Submit a 2-6 page letter to a community that shaped you (see the Submissions section below)
- Attend TWO out of the THREE Thursday Night Salons offered during the Summer Cycle
Asynchronous Coursework
Complete each lesson in the the following course. As you progress through each lesson, make sure to press complete before moving on to the next.
- Community Together
This course explores the foundations of community building through collaborative writing, reflective prompts, and group-based learning.
Engagement Dates
Participants will attend two Journey Live Meetings each month as part of the course for that cycle.
JOURNEY MEETING #1: Saturday, July 12th, 12-1pm
JOURNEY MEETING #2: Monday, August 11th, 4:30-5:30pm
JOURNEY MEETING #3: Community Togetherness x Aloud Open Mic, Thursday, August 28th, 5-6pm
JOURNEY MEETING #4: Thursday, September 18th, 6-7pm
Submissions
Write a letter (or what you consider to be a letter) to a community—either from your past or one you’re currently part of—that played a significant role in shaping who you are today. This community could be a neighborhood, a school, a religious or cultural group, a sports team, an online community, a workplace, or even a group of friends or mentors.
Use storytelling to highlight how this community helped you discover something about yourself, overcome obstacles, or feel a sense of belonging.
Submit your letter or final piece as a PDF file through the GWN Portal.
