Connections: Healthy Relationships with Family, Friends, and Partners is a live online course that consists of
10 classes sponsored by Independence Northwest.
SPRING 2023 – This class is about relationships and sexual health and will help you reach out and build stronger connections with the people you care about. The Connections class will give you tools and skills to be safe and happy in your relationships!
This ten-part class is for brokerage customers who want to strengthen their positive relationships with the people they interact with everyday. It’s also a great way to learn how to expand your circle of friends and think about dating and potentially developing intimate relationships.
At this time, this program available to Independence Northwest, UCP Connections, UCP Mentors, and Community Pathways brokerage customers. Space is limited and we keep our classes small because that’s how they work best.
Please note: All applications must be received by March 31st by 5pm.
This class helped me understand healthy relationships and become a stronger advocate.
Topics we’ll cover include:
Communication
Friendship
Dating
Becoming a Couple
Healthy Relationships
Understanding our Bodies
Sexual Health
Self-advocacy
and more!
Meet the Instructors
Corinne Thomas-Kersting
Hello! I am Corinne Thomas-Kersting. I am looking forward to meeting you and teaching this Connections class with Alice. I am a speech-language pathologist and retired school administrator with Portland’s Community Transition Program for young adults. My career has focused on advocating for educational equity and supporting people becoming successful communicators. Since my retirement, I have been honored to serve as a Board Member of Independence Northwest and have taught communication workshops to Personal Support Workers. One of my favorite sayings is “Communication is the essence of human life.” It is also the essence of every human relationship. See you soon and we will start learning together!
Alice McKenzie
Hi! I am Alice McKenzie and am thrilled to be joining you on this journey to learn more about healthy connections and relationships. Professionally, I am a project manager and have worked on programs with diverse teams of people across all sectors. I believe that understanding your own body and self is essential for every person to experience safe, healthy, and authentic sexual expression. My classes will focus on understanding your own body, reproductive health, and sexual health.
What you’ll need to participate online:
A computer or tablet (iPad) with a screen large enough to see several people on Zoom
It is important that you can see the instructor and the other students during the class, so the screen needs to be big enough for us to see each other’s faces. A computer is best, but a tablet or iPad can also work.
Please note – phones will not work as a device for this class.
A camera, microphone and speakers
These are often built into your computer system. But not always. Sometimes people use headphones. Headphones also help keep things quiet and more private.
Reliable internet
We don’t want you to miss anything!
A private space in your home when you take this virtual class
Confidentiality is important and students want to be able to say things in the class privately. It is important that others in your home do not accidentally overhear something that someone says confidentially. We have a saying: “What we share personally in this class, stays in this class.”
A comfortable place to set up your computer
Set your computer up on a table so that you can sit comfortably in front of it without having to move around.
Good lighting is important. Just like a class that meets in-person, we want to see your face and we want you to see other people’s faces so you can participate in the class.
When you submit your application, you’ll choose one of two orientation dates.
All students must join us at one of our scheduled orientations.
Thursday April 13th 3pm – 4:30
or
Tuesday April 18th 3pm – 4:30
Each class in this series builds on the next, so it’s key that students attend all classes (unless there’s an emergency, of course.)
Class Schedule
(Tuesdays and Thursdays for five consecutive weeks from 3pm – 4:30pm)
Tuesday April 25th
Thursday April 27th
Tuesday May 2nd
Thursday May 4th
Tuesday May 9th
Thursday May 11th
Tuesday May 16th
Thursday May 18th
Tuesday May 23rd
Thursday May 25th
Can’t make these dates this time around?
That’s alright – we’re happy to let you know when our next class is scheduled. Just email us at connectionspeople@gmail.com and we will put you on our wait list!
Deadline to apply is March 31st by 5pm!
Click Here to Apply Online