Jana Marie Foundation Begins 5th Year of Fostering Conversations Through Mokita Dialogues

Jana Marie Foundation is ready to begin its fifth year of Mokita Dialogues, starting Thursday, January 28. As of now, each of the 2021 conversations will be held on Zoom. To join, visit Tinyurl.com/MokitaDialogues.

Since the foundation began hosting Mokita Dialogues, it has helped foster conversations on challenging and sometime difficult topics. The word “Mokita” comes from the language of Kilivila, spoken near Papua New Guinea. It means “a known truth left unspoken;” think of it as an elephant in the room.

The first Mokita Dialogues for 2021 will cover the topic of “Belonging,” and begin at 11 a.m.

Medora Ebersole, education and community programs manager for the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will lead the discussion. The conversation will explore what it means to belong, offer opportunities to share and amplify best practices, and ground us in the knowledge that we already mean something to our community.

Mokita Dialogues are held at 11 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month (except for November and December, when they will be held November 18 and December 16, respectively). Each hour-long dialogue session, led by a different facilitator from the community, features activities that encourage thought and conversation, and also suggestions for ways to continue the discussion in our communities.

The rest of the 2021 schedule of topics (subject to change) is:

February 25: “Sex and the Internet”

March 25: “Transitions”

April 22: “Mental Health”

May 27: “Embracing Failure”

June 24: “Homelessness”

July 22: “Human Trafficking”

August 26: “Grief”

September 23: “Suicide Prevention”

October 28: “Bullying”

November 18: “Difficult Conversations”

December 16: “Forgiveness”

For more information about Mokita Dialogues and other Jana Marie Foundation programs, volunteer opportunities, and how to donate, visit janamariefoundation.org and follow the Jana Marie Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.