Am I safe? It’s a question fundamental to the human experience. And it’s a question that comes up more often than not to residents of York City and York County, for a variety of reasons. That’s why Martin Library decided to tackle this topic in our autumn Community Conversation, “Does My Safety Matter?” The program is Thursday, November 13, from 6:00pm–8:00pm.
If the title sounds familiar, that’s because our spring Community Conversation was called “Do My Feelings Matter?” However, where the spring conversation focused on teen mental health and included a successful teen art show, the Fall conversation will focus on the adult (18+) experience of safety in York City and York County.
While there are more kinds of safety than physical safety, physical safety will be a primary focus of the conversation—the perception of safety, the realities of safety, and what agencies and individuals can do about safety. Additionally, a lead-up event on October 20 at 6:30pm, Self-Defense Class for Adults will also focus on the physical nature of safety.
The Self-Defense Class for Adults program will take place Monday, October 20, from 6:30pm-8pm. Scott Palermo of Self-Defense Academy will teach attendees basic actions they can take to defend themselves in unsafe situations. While the program will include some practice actions, workout gear is not needed—after all, a sudden scenario that puts you in danger won’t wait for you to put on your gym shorts! Since this event is after hours, registration is required, and participants should enter at the Queen Street door closest to Market Street.
At the Community Conversation program itself on November 13, doors open to the Quiet Reading Room at Martin at 5:30pm, with the program starting promptly at 6pm. Registration is not required—please attend!
Panelists for the Conversation have been chosen from a variety of agencies around York City and York County: Samantha Dorm (Steering Committee, York County Safety Collaborative), Jamie Noerpel (York County Safety Collaborative), Sarah O’Brien (Downtown, Inc), and Pamela White (York County Agency on Aging).
The expert panel will be led by moderator Jennifer C. Foxworthy of Inspirationally Speaking. During the panel discussion, Foxworthy will guide the panelists through a series of questions about safety, covering topics from public safety to healthy safety to cybersecurity. Foxworthy will also weave in audience questions and responses. Once the discussion concludes, a light supper will be served.
We hope to see you at both events soon—check out the Library Calendar and set up a reminder for yourself today by clicking the calendar icon on the link (see icon example below).
