with Scarlett Lewis
Founder, Choose Love Movement
About this Event
When Scarlett Lewis lost her six-year-old son, Jesse, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, she faced a choice no parent should ever have to make. Rather than allowing hate to define her future, she chose courage, forgiveness, compassion, and hope.
From that decision grew the Choose Love Movement—an evidence-based initiative helping schools, families, workplaces, and communities build greater resilience, connection, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful response.
We planned Scarlett’s visit to Southern Oregon long before the recent tragedy in Bend. As communities across Oregon grieve and hold affected students, families, educators, and staff close, this gathering carries an added sense of meaning. We do not believe one evening can provide answers to a tragedy of this magnitude, but we hope it can offer a place to come together, listen, reflect, and consider how we can care for one another with greater courage, compassion, and connection.
Today, Choose Love programs have reached more than 15,000 schools in all 50 states and over 120 countries, empowering millions with practical skills for resilience, connection, emotional intelligence, and thoughtful response.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, healthcare professional, business leader, nonprofit leader, public servant, or simply someone who believes our communities can become stronger and more connected, this evening offers an opportunity to hear Scarlett’s deeply personal story and explore practical ways each of us can help strengthen the people and communities around us—one choice at a time.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
6:30–8:00 p.m.
GPHS Performing Arts Center
313 NW Olive Street, Grants Pass, Oregon
Free and open to the Southern Oregon community. Advance registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
Event venue & nearby stays
Grants Pass Performing Arts Center, 313 NE Olive St., Grants Pass, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.