SIGN UP FOR OUR DIALOGUE GROUP
Our ultimate goal is to create positive community change that includes everyone. If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora, by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator sign up today.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
BE A PART OF THE CHANGE.
The following poem was written by Karen Fullett-Christensen, Aurora Poet Laureate
Tell Me Who You Are
Your hair, eyes, and skin have their own color
your body has its shape and curve
I want to know more…
I want to know what worries you
what makes you laugh
what brings you joy
what triggers tears
I want to know your recipes
I want to know what books you read
what music makes you want to dance
what mantra helps you start your day
I want to know your pipedreams
your nightmares
your secret longings
who you love, and why you do
I want more than a gut response
than the judgment forming in my mind
when we pass each other on the street
when we hear each other’s names ring out.
About Us
What is Dialogue?
Our Vision and Mission
What is Dialogue?
YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!
The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that
are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in
our communities.
While many forms of dialogue
occur in-person and through
“face-to-fa
YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE!
The principle of dialogue in organizing, engagement, and equity work refers to intentional forms of conversation that
are used to improve mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the diverse individuals and groups in
our communities.
While many forms of dialogue
occur in-person and through
“face-to-face” interactions, telecommunication technologies have created new opportunities
for engagement in
safe online platforms that
will allow us to
mediate dialogue among individuals and groups who may be located
anywhere in the community.
Our dialogues create a forum in which each participant is welcome and encouraged
to participate, and
in which diverse viewpoints
can be shared without fear
of social intimidation or repercussions.
The dialogues are open to
the public and any
community member
is welcome to attend,
particularly when the topics
being discussed affect
a community.
Facilitation is essential to the success of a dialogue process. Facilitators provide the conversational structure, establish ground rules, promote equitable participation,
and ensure that the process
and discussions remain on
topic, and productive,
while ensuring that participants behave respectfully toward one another, and that everyone involved feels safe,
welcomed and heard..
At the conclusion of the dialogue, participants are encouraged to reflect on
the next steps to changing
their communities, while providing
useful feedback to organizers and
facilitators on how to improve
the dialogue process going forward.
Our History
Our Vision and Mission
What is Dialogue?
YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY!
May 2020
Study Circles Aurora founded by
Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.
Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's "Teach-In on Social Justice
and Race”. She recruited a diverse group
of students, from the university.
to participate in a demonstration
round table d
YOU WILL BE OUR HISTORY!
May 2020
Study Circles Aurora founded by
Cathy Gaddis, Aurora, IL.
Following the racial incidents in Ferguson, MO, Cathy Gaddis, worked with Benedictine University's "Teach-In on Social Justice
and Race”. She recruited a diverse group
of students, from the university.
to participate in a demonstration
round table dialogue group,
using the Everyday Democracy's
Dialogue to Change model.
Students told their story of different times that each of them had encountered racism and prejudice and how those encounters had impacted their lives. The session, with over 100 students in attendance, was the beginning of the work to integrate
the Dialogue to Change model into
the university's culture.
In 2019, after the third annual Teach-In was held at Benedictine University,
the university has began to explore
the creation of a for-credit course,
as a Learning Community
based on the
Every Day Democracy
Dialogue to Change process.
July 7, 2020
Dr. Vincent R. Gaddis is named
Director of Strategic Development,
Planning and Partnership Relations.
Cathy Gaddis is named
Director of Logistical Planning and Educational Training
July 23, 2020
Review for filing of 501 (3) C begun
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision and Mission
YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!
Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s e
YOU ARE OUR VISION AND MISSION!
Our vision is to strive to provide a platform through which our community can connect, through dialogue, regarding critical issues and with the goal of becoming a model for people of different races, ethnic groups and backgrounds to form relationships and be enabled to participate fully in our community’s economic, political, civic, educational and cultural future
in a productive way.
Our Mission is to
bring the forum of public talk
to everyone in our community
and assist the community
and companies to organize
by bringing all kinds of people
to the table using Dialogue to Change.
By utilizing and implementing
the Every-Day Democracy.
Dialogue to Change Process
Study Circle Aurora seeks to
re-vitalize the dialogue process
in Aurora, IL and our mission is
to develop a model that would contribute
to racial dialogue in our community
and allow the dialogue to be sustained
for the next generation.
We will be bring people
together from all backgrounds,
to attend community conversations
about racism and other critical issues
which may be affecting our community.
We will facilitate and support deeper discussions on race, racism,
and racial equity by addressing
critical community issues.
We will work to engage
communities in dialogue and
problem solving
and provide opportunities
for citizen empowerment
by giving the participants
a safe place to talk about
their concerns for their communities
and their desire to
find a way to move forward.
We believe that communities of
every size and demographics
need routine opportunities for
people of diverse backgrounds to
dialogue with each other
and with public officials,
and to have a voice in
decision making, in order to work
together for stronger communities.
Be A PART OF THE CHANGE
CHANGE CAN ONLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE DIALOGUE. JOIN THE CIRCLE NOW!
If you are interested in participating in Study Circles Aurora,
by becoming a participant, an organizing volunteer or facilitator all you
have to do is let us know you are interested in getting involved by clicking on the GET STARTED TODAY button below and we will contact you and talk to you about how you would like to help.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
Our CURRENT Partners in dialogue
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aurora Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Aurora Community and beyond.
AURORA TOWNSHIP
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aurora Township is Supporting Study Circles Aurora with numerous resources.
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Aurora Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups.
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Police Department is supporting Study Circles Aurora by participation, by members at all levels, in dialogue groups.
Elgin Public Library
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Public Library
Elgin Public Library is an essential partner for delivery of digital programing for Study Circles Aurora providing Zoom and Webinar capabilities for outreach to the Elgin Community and beyond.
UNIVERSITY
ELGIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Elgin Public Library
Partner with Study Circles Aurora
Be a part of the change.
Let's see your logo here!
INVEST IN THE CHANGE
WE ARE NOT TAKING DONATIONS AT THIS TIME.
As we move forward, we will need your help and we will be letting you know how you can contribute to the Dialogue for Change