Two years have passed since the pandemic started, but the words “COVID-19” and its variants continue to cause anxiety and fear. Despite restrictions being lifted, psychologists are still reporting high-stress levels among Americans. In addition to post-covid blues, financial stress is high among younger populations and minority groups who report feeling the brunt of rising gas prices, housing costs, and inflation. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead, how can we support each other to relieve these ongoing stressors at work, at home, and in public? Join the OC Forum on Thursday, May 26th at 12 PM for the premiere of "Saving the Dream: Conquering Post-Pandemic Stress." Tune in to hear from our guest panel of visionaries as they discuss timely solutions to conquer post-covid blues. RSVP below to set a reminder! To learn more about our panel of speakers, visit the following link: https://www.ocforum.org/post/conquering-post-pandemic-stress-guest-speakers For more information on the resources discussed in today's program, check out the following sites below: Cigna Resilience Home Page https://cignaresilience.com/ Cigna Newsroom - Loneliness in America https://newsroom.cigna.com/loneliness-in-america Be Well OC Website https://www.bewelloc.org/ Be Well Campus Page https://www.bewelloc.org/wellness-campuses/ Disney Cast Life Blog https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/topics/disney-cast-life/ Silver Stress and Coping Lab Website https://sites.uci.edu/sscl/

If we have learned anything from "The Great Resignation," it is that caring for your staff translates into caring for your business. Companies are collectively pivoting to retain current employees while also attracting new ones by addressing childcare and hybrid scheduling demands. But what are the challenges that lie ahead for businesses trying to meet these needs? What role do we play in helping both our companies and employees grow? Join OC Forum for our second installment of our mini-series regarding employment in California, "Saving the Dream: Employee Wellness." Experience this timely conversation as our visionaries discuss solutions surrounding holistic employment and employee wellness approaches. For more information regarding our speakers visit the link below: https://www.ocforum.org/post/employee-wellness-guest-speakers Take advantage of the resources discussed in this program: For more information on childcare databases visit: care.com/careatwork OR https://www.chs-ca.org/for-families/child-care-referrals For information on Employment Trends visit: https://www.roberthalf.com/employment-trends-demand-for-skilled-talent Visit First 5 to learn more about their research: https://first5oc.org/childcare/ Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe to our channel and follow us on our website at ocforum.org.

California's natural resources, especially water, gear us towards being the eighth largest economy globally. Over the last 25 years, California voters have passed over $27 billion in water resource bonds. Unfortunately, water use efficiency continues to be Californians' most critical issue while balancing the needs of multiple interests, climate change, and population growth. How do we find a way to balance these needs? Is desalination a solution to California's water demands? If you missed OC Forum's "Exploring New Water Solutions" in-person luncheon, you can watch the conversation here. Experience the conversation as our panel of distinguished water experts discusses solutions for water in California.

The global pandemic has fundamentally altered our workforce and business communities. For many, COVID-19 put them out of a job while forcing others to continue working under dangerous conditions. As we return to a state of normalcy, employees are reluctant to go back to their former employers. Some are simply quitting altogether in search of jobs that offer better wages and greater flexibility and autonomy. Are we experiencing what some are calling "The Great Resignation?" How can we help businesses rebuild their workforce while providing an equitable quality of life for employees? The OC Forum invites you to join the conversation to save the California Dream Job. This three-part mini-series will include discussions surrounding "The Great Resignation" - why people are choosing not to go back to work, livable wages, employee wellness, workforce recruitment, and retention for the future. Tune in to our first episode to learn more about this topic. Discussion Resources: Vital Link: https://www.vitallinkoc.org/about-vital-link SBDC California: https://ociesmallbusiness.org/team/ Location OC: http://www.locationoc.com/ HR Consulting Help: http://hrconsultinghelp.com/

The California Dream has always embodied a promise for those seeking a better life. That promise has evolved over the years to represent different things for different people; the promise of a secure job, an affordable home to start a family, a strong education, the land of opportunity, and great fortune. But is this dream beginning to fade? As residents who lack adequate housing, jobs, and education continue to grow in California, several are abandoning the dream altogether and moving out. What does this mean for the future of California? Can we save the dream that attracted so many to The Golden State? Join the OC Forum for our first program of the year in a new series entitled “Saving the Dream.” Be a part of the conversation as we interview our distinguished panel of thought leaders to discuss the future of California. To learn more about our guest speakers and the program, visit the link below! https://www.ocforum.org/post/saving-the-dream-the-future-of-california

The cultural and economic value that the arts and creative industry bring to our community cannot be understated. In 2019, the arts added more to the economy than the construction, agriculture, and transportation industries combined. Unfortunately, COVID-19 stopped the arts from operating normally, shutting down dozens of local musical halls and performance theatres. However, many artists were able to adapt virtually around the pandemic restrictions and continued to perform online. In addition, philanthropists quickly and generously responded to the pandemic by donating to individuals and organizations in need. As locations begin to reopen, what does the future of the arts look like? What steps do we take so that artists and performers can continue to flourish in Orange County? Join the OC Forum and our panel of visionaries, featuring guest speakers from The Pacific Symphony, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OC Grantmakers, Arts Orange County, Grantmakers in the Arts, OC Theater Guild, Americans for the Arts, and special video performance from The Wooden Floor! Visit the link below to learn more about our speakers today! OC Forum Guest Speakers: https://www.ocforum.org/post/the-future-of-philanthropy-in-the-arts-guest-speakers The Wooden Floor: https://thewoodenfloor.org/

For the first time in over two years, the OC Forum is proud to present our first in-person discussion! We are honored to welcome our moderator Jeff Collins, Housing and Real Estate Writer for the Orange County Register, and our distinguished housing panelists Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director of The Kennedy Commission, John Reekstin, Senior Vice-President of Community Development for The Olson Company, The Honorable Trevor O'Neil, Anaheim City Council Member (District 6), and Alexa Washburn, Senior Vice-President of Planning and Acquisitions of National CORE, as they discuss solutions for housing in Orange County.

In a recent study this year, 81% of teens and 69% of adults used social media in the U.S to stay in touch with each other. There's no denying that staying connecting is essential. Still, there is a growing concern that prolonged exposure to social media may negatively impact our mental health, especially young adolescents. So what are the risks that come with spending too much time on these platforms? How do we stay in touch with the world without compromising our well-being?  Join The OC Forum as we conclude our three-part mini-series "The Social Media Predicament" with a timely discussion surrounding the impacts of social media on mental health. Tune in on Thursday, September 9 at 12 PM to learn more and set a reminder now! For more information on our panelists and how to reach them, visit our website by using the link below! https://www.ocforum.org/post/the-social-media-predicament-e3-mental-health-impacts

COVID has evolved. With the new Delta Variant continuing to spread, what does this mean for Orange County? Will schools and businesses close down again? Don't miss this timely discussion on the current research surrounding the new Delta Variant. Join our panel of distinguished experts and leaders as they give their insight into what's in store for Orange County and the impact it will have on our children. Tune in on Friday, August 27 at 12 PM to watch it live! RSVP now to join the conversation. Guest Speakers Include: -Dr. Shruti K. Gohil, Associate Medical Director — UCI Health Epidemiology and Infection Prevention, UCI Health -Dr. Bernadette M. Boden-Albala, Director and Founding Dean of the Program in Public Health, UCI -Dr. Dan Cooper, Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical and Translational Science, Institute for Immunology, UCI -Pamela Kahn, Health & Wellness Coordinator, Orange County Department of Education -Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Deputy Health Officer, OC HCA -Vice-Chancellor Steve Goldstein, UCI Health Affairs (Moderator) References: Visit our website below to learn more about our guests! https://www.ocforum.org/post/the-future-of-the-delta-variant Learn more about keeping your children safe during the new school year! https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/