For the first time in six years, youth-adult dialogues will return to Vashon tonight and give the community an outlet to explore “What is Normal?”

The event, organized by an ad-hoc group of island adults and high-school students who missed the events and decided to start them up again, calls on members of the community to come speak and listen in an effort to learn about others in the community. One of the organizers, Yve Susskind, said that the idea came up at a reunion of the Vashon Youth Council last summer.

“Several of us got together and decided to do it,” she said. “We had a meeting at the library and just started planning.”

She said the group is not affiliated with any organization, but is curious to see where the event goes.

The event asks attendees explore what is “normal,” how “normal” is helpful and hurtful and why people conform. Another organizer, Vashon High School (VHS) teacher Harris Levinson, said the event will involve facilitated conversations around the topics with the youth guiding much of the discussion.

“We want to know, what is it like right now for a 15-year-old, a 17-year-old. How are we all thinking?” he said.

VHS student and organizer Leo Macleod said he is hoping the event allows youth to feel heard.

“I know that many of my peers feel talked over a lot and I think this will be a good place to be able to voice our thoughts in a safe place,” he said. “We’re aiming for it to be a cool educational platform for everyone. I want people to leave feeling like their thoughts and stories have been heard.”

Youth-adult dialogues started in 2004 and 19 were held between then and 2011 when they ended due to a lack of youth attendance.

The event will take place at the Vashon Presbyterian Church social hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A free dinner will be served from 6 to 6:30 p.m.