The League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County will hold a Hot Topics evening event on March 18, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at JCC-North, 10807 Bennett Rd, Dunkirk.

This event offers a great opportunity for members of the Chautauqua County community to learn about sharing stories about our experiences with healthcare.

In May 2019 the Campaign for NY Health published the results of a study entitled “From Coverage to Care: A People’s Report on Healthcare in New York,” which illustrates the severity of healthcare insecurity facing New Yorkers. Researchers found that 50% of insured New Yorkers struggle to get needed healthcare. They found that women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and transgender people are disproportionately negatively impacted by the current healthcare system. So the Campaign for NY Health developed trainings intended to bring people together to talk about their experiences with healthcare, and to learn how to become powerful advocates for meaningful reform.

During the approximately 2.5 hour training, participants will:

¯ discuss the findings of “The People’s Report on Healthcare in New York” and principles of healthcare human rights;

¯ learn and practice healthcare storytelling best practices; and

¯ learn about opportunities to share their healthcare stories in advocacy for universal healthcare.

Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect with others. Telling your personal story can allow you to focus a discussion on people rather than policies and laws. You can learn to tell your story in more compelling ways in conversations, at events in support of your cause, and for lobbying with elected officials.

Please register for this event by March 11 in order for the League to have an accurate count for workbooks, handouts, and snacks. To register, contact Mary Croxton at (716) 673-5197.

For more information about the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County, visit http://www.lwvchautauqua.org and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leagueofwomenvoterschautauqua/.