BRIDGE news
We are celebrating 17 years of BRIDGE building our beloved community, fostering integration and celebrating our collective joy.
2024 BRIDGE lays foundation for its Solidarity Economy projects rooted in the 2020-2022 mutual aid efforts stemming from our core programs. We have a Solidarity Farm and Garden for farming and gardening projects working towards food sovereignty hosted on the Great Barrington Fairgrounds;. Our Solidarity Kitchen Pantry is open for food and food preservation and production education, mutual aid & building community. The Solidarity Meeting House hosts monthly culturally specific trauma-informed wellness and healing programs for our BIPOGM communities; Hamsa Home, a temporary supported housing offering for BIOGM community members, leaders, families, staff for 3-30 days for houselessness, displacement and/or respite; and a Solidarity Library in a time where our country reckons with banning books and blocking truth, reconciliation and reparation. Also in our library are seeds for food sovereignty. Stay tuned for more details! 
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OUR core values
Empowerment | Collaboration | Learning | Celebration | Integration | Safety | Justice
BRIDGE is a grassroots organization dedicated to catalyzing change and integration through promoting mutual respect and understanding with a gender and race equity lens that is trauma-informed and rooted in positive psychology and power analysis practices.
Since 2007, our BRIDGE mission has been “promoting mutual understanding and respect among diverse groups serving as a resource to both local institutions and the community at large. We serve as catalysts for change and integration through collaboration, education, training, dialogue, fellowship and advocacy with the creative economy and many other sectors."
Services include cultural literacy and cultural competence training; consulting, facilitation; youth leadership; multicultural education; parent engagement and education; civil rights and social justice forums and advocacy with diverse groups. We facilitate cultural competence programming in schools and institutions to promote equity and to educate on systemic racism and cultural barriers, and are designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a vendor in the Supplier Diversity Program in the spirit of the Affirmative Market Campaign.
Through a 360 degree perspective on community and civic participation, BRIDGE has designed a holistic approach to community and public health. BRIDGE's goal is to impact hearts, minds and behaviors that result in positive cultural shifts and systemic changes in policy, law and practice towards a more just, safe and equitable society.
Since 2007, our BRIDGE mission has been “promoting mutual understanding and respect among diverse groups serving as a resource to both local institutions and the community at large. We serve as catalysts for change and integration through collaboration, education, training, dialogue, fellowship and advocacy with the creative economy and many other sectors."
Services include cultural literacy and cultural competence training; consulting, facilitation; youth leadership; multicultural education; parent engagement and education; civil rights and social justice forums and advocacy with diverse groups. We facilitate cultural competence programming in schools and institutions to promote equity and to educate on systemic racism and cultural barriers, and are designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a vendor in the Supplier Diversity Program in the spirit of the Affirmative Market Campaign.
Through a 360 degree perspective on community and civic participation, BRIDGE has designed a holistic approach to community and public health. BRIDGE's goal is to impact hearts, minds and behaviors that result in positive cultural shifts and systemic changes in policy, law and practice towards a more just, safe and equitable society.
In 2024, BRIDGE Digital Strategist and LGTBQIA+ Advocate wins Berkshire 25! Come celebrate on September 30th!
2023, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant alongside Wray Gunn received the international Torch Bearer Peace Award at the International Peace Run in recognition of the leadership in the Du Bois legacy work and the impact of BRIDGE stewarding justice, equity and transformation in a solidarity economy promoting love and well-being in our shared communities. The Peace Run is a global relay which promotes international friendship and understanding, founded by Sri Chinmoy
2023 Former Lead Engagement Coordinator Florence Afanukoe receives award Samya Rose Stumo for Youth Leadership from Non-profit Center of the Berkshires. Florence leads Public Health and Youth Development at BRIDGE as Youth Corps Alumna, Staff and Board Member! Florence also serves on Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Equity Initiative Leadership Advisory Council.
2023 Mosaic Film featuring our public health model and an intergenerational conversation on health equity is featured in Twin Cities Film festival!
In 2021, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant received the National Community Action Partnership Drum Major for Justice for New Pathways programs and the Food Sovereignty and Empowerment mutual aid programs.
In 2020, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant received MCLA President’s medallion for its 125th year anniversary celebration in recognition of BRIDGE’s work and mission.
In 2019, BRIDGE was recognized as a national finalist by Everyday Democracy for the Paul J. Aicher Award.
BRIDGE was also recognized in 2015 as a Berkshire Trendsetter for Non-Profit Impact and as a statewide finalist for Massachusetts Non-Profit Network for Small Non-Profits in 2016.
2023, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant alongside Wray Gunn received the international Torch Bearer Peace Award at the International Peace Run in recognition of the leadership in the Du Bois legacy work and the impact of BRIDGE stewarding justice, equity and transformation in a solidarity economy promoting love and well-being in our shared communities. The Peace Run is a global relay which promotes international friendship and understanding, founded by Sri Chinmoy
2023 Former Lead Engagement Coordinator Florence Afanukoe receives award Samya Rose Stumo for Youth Leadership from Non-profit Center of the Berkshires. Florence leads Public Health and Youth Development at BRIDGE as Youth Corps Alumna, Staff and Board Member! Florence also serves on Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Equity Initiative Leadership Advisory Council.
2023 Mosaic Film featuring our public health model and an intergenerational conversation on health equity is featured in Twin Cities Film festival!
In 2021, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant received the National Community Action Partnership Drum Major for Justice for New Pathways programs and the Food Sovereignty and Empowerment mutual aid programs.
In 2020, BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant received MCLA President’s medallion for its 125th year anniversary celebration in recognition of BRIDGE’s work and mission.
In 2019, BRIDGE was recognized as a national finalist by Everyday Democracy for the Paul J. Aicher Award.
BRIDGE was also recognized in 2015 as a Berkshire Trendsetter for Non-Profit Impact and as a statewide finalist for Massachusetts Non-Profit Network for Small Non-Profits in 2016.
