2025-2026
Community of Care
RESPONSIVE PROGRAMMING
THE POWER OF
Human Connectedness
In a world dominated by screens, The Power of Human Connectedness is more important than ever. This year, Hudson Community First is focusing on building key Developmental Assets such as: Family Support & Positive Communication, Other Adult Relationships, Caring, Integrity, and Interpersonal Competence. All of these assets grow when kids connect face-to-face. These relationships spark empathy, trust, and a true sense of belonging, giving our youth the foundation they need to thrive.
THE POWER OF
Human Connectedness
In today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world, human connectedness and face-to-face interactions are critical, especially for our youth, because they support healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development in ways that digital communication simply can't replicate.
5 REASONS HUMAN CONNECTEDNESS IS CRITICAL
1. Emotional Development
In-person interaction allows youth to read facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, which are essential components of emotional intelligence.
2. Social Skills & Communication
Regular face-to-face contact teaches active listening, conflict resolution, and cooperative problem-solving.
3. Mental Health & Resilience
Genuine human connection helps reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. Physical presence (a hug, a shared laugh, even eye contact) can trigger the release of oxytocin and serotonin (hormones that boost mood and lower stress.)
4. Digital Balance
In a time when screen time is at an all-time high, especially post-pandemic, in-person interactions offer a much-needed counterbalance to virtual communication. Real-life socializing anchors young people in the present moment and encourages mindfulness and attentiveness.
5. Identity Formation
Youth are still shaping their sense of self, and real-world experiences with peers, mentors, and adults provide critical feedback and affirmation. Face-to-face connection validates their experiences in a tangible way, helping build self-worth and confidence.
Program Line-Up
AUGUST 22 & SEPTEMBER 25 (Student Presentations)
East Woods Intermediate School / Hudson Montessori School
Presenter: Jim "Basketball" Jones
OCTOBER 15 @ 7PM (Adult Presentation)
Location: Hudson Middle School
Speaker: Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.
How can parents and mentors help kids growing up in a world where nearly every moment of their lives can be shared and compared? Drawing on her extensive work with parents and schools as well as hundreds of interviews with kids, parents, educators, clinicians, and scholars, Dr. Devorah Heitner offers strategies for parenting our kids in an always-connected world.
Devorah Heitner, Ph.D. is the author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland.
OCTOBER 22 @ 1:30PM OR 6:30PM (Adult Presentation)
Location: McDowell Elementary School
Speaker: Meghan Barlow
Clinical psychologist Meghan Barlow, PhD provides parents with strategies and techniques to foster resiliency in their young children.
Meghan Barlow, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Rocky River, Ohio, specializing in supporting children, adolescents, and their families through life’s challenges. Drawing on her expertise in child development, parenting, and social-emotional health, Dr. Barlow helps families navigate issues such as anxiety, behavioral concerns, and transitions with practical, compassionate strategies. Known for her engaging and relatable approach, she empowers parents and educators with tools to foster resilience and well-being in young people.
NOVEMBER 6 @ 6:00PM (Adult Presentation)
Location: Hudson Montessori School
Speaker: Meghan Barlow
Clinical psychologist Meghan Barlow, PhD speaks to parents on how to understand and help their children build their executive functioning skills.
Meghan Barlow, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Rocky River, Ohio, specializing in supporting children, adolescents, and their families through life’s challenges. Drawing on her expertise in child development, parenting, and social-emotional health, Dr. Barlow helps families navigate issues such as anxiety, behavioral concerns, and transitions with practical, compassionate strategies. Known for her engaging and relatable approach, she empowers parents and educators with tools to foster resilience and well-being in young people.
JANUARY 26 @ 7:00PM (Adult Presentation)
Location: Hudson Middle School
Speaker: Tanner Clark
TEDx and international motivational speaker Tanner Clark inspires and encourages parents to better connect with their children by finding their One Second of Strength to help overcome distractions and pursue what matters most.
Tanner began his speaking career after feeling called to help today's youth overcome the challenges they're facing that are keeping them from growth and happiness. He has spoken on hundreds of stages to audiences of all ages and has inspired millions of people across the globe through social media. His TEDx Talk titled "One Second of Strength" encourages people to overcome distractions that are keeping you from a life of satisfaction.
Tanner has an undergraduate degree from Utah State University and an MBA in Strategic Marketing from Arizona State University. After graduation he worked in brand management and led brands like Rolaids, Selsun Blue, Kaopectate and Solaray Vitamins. After a 15 year career in marketing Tanner left to motivate and inspire people full time.
FEBRUARY 4 @ 7:00PM (Adult Presentation)
Location: Hudson Middle School
Presentation: Hudson Police Department
The Hudson Police Department informs and educates parents on how to help children navigate and respond to the challenges and threats in the ever-changing world around them.
APRIL (Adult Webinar)
Location: HCTV
Webinar: Addictive Behaviors
A taped dialogue for parents featuring experts discussing the warning signs of addictive behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, vaping, and gambling and how best to address them.
SPONSORED IN PART BY:
SUPPORT HUDSON YOUTH
Hudson Community First provides opportunities to make our community a place where young people thrive. We cannot do this without your support! This is all made possible through grants, private donations and our Annual Fund drive. Please consider a donation that will support programming for all Hudson students.
Because of you… Hudson is a 100 Best Community for Young People!
One-Time Donation
Support our ongoing programs
Recurring Giving
Provide sustained support for our mission.
SUPPORT HUDSON YOUTH
Hudson Community First provides opportunities to make our community a place where young people thrive. We cannot do this without your support! This is all made possible through grants, private donations and our Annual Fund drive. Please consider a donation that will support programming for all Hudson students.
Because of you… Hudson is a 100 Best Community for Young People!
One-Time Donation
Support our ongoing programs
Recurring Giving
Provide sustained support for our mission.
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