Local news collaborative joins Delaware agencies to seek solutions for common problems

The Delaware Journalism Collaborative will work with Delaware Humanities and Delaware Libraries to present a series of Community Conversations in March at library locations throughout the state. Having access to intentional spaces for conversation, people at these events will be able to explore why they think what they do, share stories with one another that build trust, and make connections and commitments to the issues that affect local communities.

 

Each program will be designed to facilitate civil discourse around topics that are sometimes polarizing, including the media itself. “It’s important that we realize our own role in the divisions that exist within our communities,” said Chris Rudisill, interim project manager for the collaborative. “We may not always agree on the solutions, but these partnerships create an opportunity to build trust with residents so we can address issues in Delaware as a community.”

Events led by facilitators from Delaware Humanities will take place in each county, and there will be two virtual options this month. 

An in-person session will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 16, at Georgetown Public Library, 123 W. Pine St., Georgetown. Register at delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/10254685. A virtual session will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 20; register at delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/10489402.

Dover Public Library will host an in-person gathering from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 28, at 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover; register at delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/10467197. The final March session will be held virtually from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 30; register at delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/10489413. The DJC invites everyone to join this project aimed at strengthening Delaware communities through civil discourse.

The Delaware Journalism Collaborative is a statewide partnership of local news organizations and community associates committed to working together to improve access to high-quality local news and information in the state. It launched in May 2022 with funding support from Solutions Journalism Network. The collaborative is one of 14 such organizations around the country working to build trust in all segments of the communities they serve and stimulate public conversations about key issues.

 

For its first two years, the collaborative is focusing on uniting Delaware communities driven apart by polarization. It applies a solutions journalism approach, focused on challenges and what is working to address those challenges. These events launch the programming aspect of the project with a focus on community-centered training and activities.

Each program is limited to 15 attendees and facilitated by someone from the Delaware Humanities facilitators program. Attendees will also receive a free book selection from the DJC following the program that further examines the topic of polarization.

For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/DJCcommunity.