Better Tomorrow and its program partners are hosting their biannual CORE Training events next week, inviting community members to deepen their understanding of domestic violence, human trafficking and social justice issues.

The training, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, focuses on education and advocacy for survivors of oppression and violence.

“It’s really about education and understanding the roots and realities of oppression,” said Hannah Kaufmann, the program director for Advocates of Routt County. “We’re trying to promote engagement from the community by inviting people to support and transform their community through service and advocacy.”

Steamboat-based Better Tomorrow organizations, such as Advocates of Routt County, Brighter World Child Advocacy Center, COMMA and Queer Futures, will come together for the training and bring experts to cover challenging topics.

Anti-oppression activist Regan Byrd will also speak at the first two nights of the training to lay the framework for the remainder of the week.

Byrd will give presentations on social identity, power, privilege and oppression on Monday, and will cover the “Four I’s of Oppression,” specifically addressing racism on Tuesday, said Kaufmann.

“(Byrd’s presentations) will give a better understanding for the following nights, where Better Tomorrow staff will be talking about our different programs and the issues that we help educate the community on,” said Kaufmann.

Kaufmann added that Better Tomorrow wants to grow CORE Training to further educate members on how to respond to and support oppressed individuals, making Routt County a safer and more inclusive place.

“We make it open to the community because we think the information is really valuable,” said Kaufmann. “We want to grow it. We want more people to come. The conversations and discussions are always better when there are more people from different backgrounds with different experiences.”

CORE Training, which Better Tomorrow began hosting in 2020, takes place twice a year and is free to the community. Those who attend are encouraged to donate to keep CORE Training free, but financial support is not required.

The training presentations will also be presented virtually for those who cannot attend in person. Better Tomorrow’s next CORE Training events will take place this fall.

To register and learn more, visit TinyUrl.com/3kacn5yj.