COD’s Dialogue Over Distance Spring Webinars

COD’s Dialogue Over Distance Spring Webinars Explore How to Reduce Health Disparities Through Community Action

Join College of DuPage experts this spring as they examine the intersections of prevailing health matters with local community organization leaders and health care providers. These timely and thought-provoking webinars will focus on the impact of COVID-19, the increasing necessity of social services and the natural desire to cope with adversity through community action.

Presented in partnership with Addison Public Library, Bellwood Public Library, DuPage Pads, Glenside Public Library District, Northwestern Medicine, People's Resource Center and Wheaton Public Library, the free webinars will be presented live via Zoom as part of the Dialogue Over Distance series.

The series kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, with “Food is Money: The Economics of Nutrition,” a discussion examining the link between food insecurity, health and economics. Moderated by COD Physical Education Assistant Professor Stephanie Vlach, panelists include COD Assistant Political Science Professor Maureen Heffern Ponicki, COD Fuel Garden Manager Ana Vitek, COD Prairie Manager Remic Ensweiler, People’s Resource Center Senior Director of Programs Christina LePage, Your Brainfood, Inc. Owner Janet Millikan and Giving DuPage Executive Director Shefali Trivedi. Register now.

Additional spring programming includes “Housing is Health Care: Examining the Benefits of Proper Shelter” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29. Join local service professionals from different areas of expertise, but united in the mutual goal of improving lives, to discuss barriers in accessing adequate shelter, and thus, better health.

Please note that all Dialogue Over Distance presentations are recorded. Closed-captioned recorded presentations can be found on the College of DuPage YouTube playlist.

The Dialogue Over Distance series grew out of the College's Speakers Bureau in response to COVID-19. Since its start last April, the series has presented on a broad range of topics, including local elections, economic resiliency amid COVID-19, mental health and social inequalities during the pandemic. Speakers have included experts from COD's faculty and staff, as well as individuals such as Angel Price, attractions engineering services manager for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Learn more at cod.edu/experts.

Photo caption: Students and faculty from the COD Food Security Initiative plant crops at the Community Education Fuel Garden in preparation for summer and fall harvests.