Convening Meaningful Conversations

On November 2nd, 2017, the Geraldo Rivera Fund for Social Work & Disability Studies sponsored its first Public Conversation for Change forum at the College of Staten Island.

The forum drew more than 75 stakeholders who were interested in contributing to vital changes needed for strengthening the well-being of people with developmental disabilities on Staten Island.

“Instead of looking on conversation as a stumbling block that is in the way of action, we think of it as an indispensable preliminary to any wise action at all.” — Thucydides

Working within a World Café format, participants became part of a broad public conversation in a small group setting. Self-advocates with developmental disabilities and their family members, students preparing for the health or social service profession, vocational rehabilitation staff, local & state policymakers, health & human service professionals and academic researchers, staff & administrators, gathered at individual tables and explored the key opportunities and challenges impacting the well-being of people with developmental disabilities on Staten Island.

The Next Steps

Currently, the Geraldo Rivera Leadership Cohort is narrowing down the themes that emerged from the forum participants and will present the findings via email, website and social media. In the upcoming year, The Geraldo Rivera Fund will continue to host Public Conversations; this forum will build on the themes identified in the initial forum and develop a consensus on the most conducive areas to engage in collective action.