CommUNITY Dinner

Tired of the Divide? Have dinner together.

A recent CommUNITY Dinner announcement on a local Facebook group prompted a series of comments about how divided our community can be. The divide, obviously for some, is not just a difference of opinion, but a chasm of misunderstanding. The CommUNITY dinners are not governed by the city of Highland Park and there is no sponsored agenda from any political or government agency. A group of friends has decided to make a grassroots-centered attempt at creating a greater sense of community.

Admittedly, not a solution for everything or everyone, these meetings are an attempt to bring people together to discuss a more united community and create a sense of connection. And it’s not a new project either; It’s a 3-year-old project labeled ‘CommUNITY Dinners’ and it takes place once every quarter at The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, from 6:30-8:30 - and the next one is coming soon*.

A group of concerned citizens from multiple groups, TAC, the Highland Park Public Library, the Justice Project, the Human Relations Advisory Board, Go Green HP, the Sister Cities Foundation, and others came together to create this project. The dinners bring together people from different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions to discuss diverse issues in a welcoming and safe space with the goal of expanding perspectives.

We all come together out of a desire to make our community a little better, to contribute what we can as individuals. It is like the Margaret Mead quote, ‘“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“We’re under no illusion that we’re solving the world’s problems”, says co-founder James M Lynch, Executive Director of TAC, “it’s more of a chance to be among other people who are invested in a better community and recharge our batteries”. People have shared their personal challenges, there have been speakers from all walks of life, documentaries, and sometimes it’s just a chance to check in with others in the community.

Each dinner is a potluck, and everyone brings something from a family recipe, or a favorite dessert, or those pressed for time might bring a pizza, but there is always enough for the group of 30-40 attendees. Originally, there was a shared Google Doc to coordinate the food choices, but participants say that it just seems to work out on its own. “We also ask people to bring their own non-disposable utensils and plates,” adds participant Andy Amend, “because why not be kind to the earth while we talk about improving our community? It just makes sense.”

The event is open to the public and free of charge, but registration is preferred so that the tables and chairs can be prepared. As the group progresses, they hope to host other groups from local religious organizations, social agencies, and any group that comes together to create a deeper sense of community. The next event, in July, has no agenda other than coming together with neighbors, sitting at one table, doing some icebreaker conversation starters to kick things off, or just meeting new people.

The next CommUNITY Dinner is Thursday, July 25, at 6:30, at The Art Center Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035, in the main gallery. The event is free, and The Art Center provides beverages. Register in advance on this doc: CommUNITY Dinner. For more information reach out to info@theartcenterhp.org.