Molly L. Dennis- Community advocate

09/29/2026

September's 2026 theme for Su***de Prevention Month is "Changing the Narrative on Su***de"
Fundraisers, awareness, and resources are all important. However one of the most important things YOU can do to possibly help save lives is to simply reaching out and have a courageous conversation.

The Toastmaster speech I wrote last week is entitled "Help prevent su***de by unblocking one person at a time." It is dedication to helping people unclentch their fists and choose a handshake over petty hate.

Please don't be a hypocrite who uses spiteful ostrosism (against your political opposition) or who uses the term "healthy boundary" to justify blocking people who annoy or challenge you. You sadly can't claim to support preventing su***de when you choose to possibly be the catalyst for it.

Su***de prevention starts with a compassionate and caring community.
This month please unblock, reconnect, and be the change that could literally save a life.
You don't have to like everyone (or even be FB friends with them), however we need to muster enough maturity to not be a bully and cancel someone. Blocking someone, withholding humanity, and throwing them away simply to avoid feeling uncomfortable (or taking accountability) is abuse. Let's change the narrative with one judgment and one "unblock" click at a time.

Rochester Chamber Toastmasters member Molly Dennis reminds us that ...

09/18/2026

Rochester's Transition Town is a great way to get involved while protecting our community and environment for generations to come.
Having personally attended meetings and mural unveilings, I believe Transition Towns is for everyany who cares about our shared future. I posted the FB event link on my Community advocate site (Sept 5th), however you can also RSVP on Evenbrite:
https://TTR-GreatUnleashing.eventbrite.com

Thank you to EarthFest Rochester MN for co-sponsoring. Note: despite location, this event is NOT associated with the Unitarian Universalist, Christian, or any other religion. This is free family-friendly event focused on humanity together. People's well-being before politics/religion.
Please contact Ivan Idso for questions or if you too would like to get involved.

Original August invite:
"Are you ready to join a motivated group of people to re-imagine and create a future that uses less energy and resources? A future that is truly more sustainable and resilient? Then join us for the Transition Town Rochester "Great Unleashing" on the afternoon of Sunday Sept 20th from 1:00 - 6:30!

Author and Transition Network International trainer Don Hall will be our speaker and facilitator for the event which will include a Community Mapping exercise, a Visioning session to imagine a positive vision of the future and the work to make it real, an action planning session to Brainstorm projects for the community, and a CircleBack to reflect on what we learned. It will end with a group meal to continue building our new community."

All are welcome and free for the family, hope you can attend!

09/18/2026

September 17th is officially Constitution Day (celebrating the signing of our constitution in 1787). To be a patriotic American is NOT bowing down to cronies, a political party, or any religious institution... but instead fostering our shared humanity. Protecting civil and constitutional rights makes you a patriot.

Please be a patriotic American and stand up for our shared future by calling out injustices, even if the bad behavior is in your family, your political party, or childhood religion. Please use your voice to help unite America in humanity and speak truth to power.

Be a Patriot. Happy 239th Constitution Day 2026!

and integrity matters.

09/17/2026

Join us for a welcoming midday gathering of older adults 60+ connecting, conversing, and enjoying a warm meal together!

We meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at the Byron Community Education Center. Learn more about this opportunity to meet new people over a nutritious, hot meal. We have more information on the menu, how to order your meals, the suggested contribution, and when BINGO is on the schedule online!

Start here:
familyservicerochester.org/Social-Cafe

09/16/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention month. The 2026 global theme: "Changing the Narrative on Su***de."

If you (or someone you know) is struggling, please call 988 for the crisis lifeline.

A caring community IS su***de prevention.

09/11/2026

Walking out of my 8am government "Current World Problems" university class, when we heard the news of the Sept 11th attack. We all raced to the student union to gather around and witness the second tower fall, holding each other close.

A few weeks eariler, August 2001, while working in Washington DC, myself and a few others visit New York City. A city filled with stories and lives just like ours.... thousands of lives that would end weeks later.

I believe that in addition to remembering, we must also pay kindness forward (the kindness of all courageous first responders and helpers that day).

Our future is dependent on our nation's unity, not our division.

We must remember the past and remember that we are all in this shared life together. ❤️