Multicultural BRIDGE
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The Long Game of Catalyzing Change for Integration

9/8/2022

 
Dear BRIDGE community:

It has been an exciting time for us at BRIDGE as we launch in to funding our projects that are recognized culturally centric with new funding partners who are joining the choir of those embracing the equity approach with centering the experience and voices of those we intend to serve!
​
We are proud recipients of MOVA VOCA Funding at $200,000 for two years for victims of crime and violence that provides fresh and healthy food, access to wellness and culturally specific counseling, emergency and crisis support and more! (See announcement.)

We are also proud recipients of a Community Development Block Grant - CARES Act to build out the infrastructure of our mutual aid program at $200,000. Our mutual aid program is in its third year of consecutive universal basic income at a nominal amount that supports gas, pharmacy and grocery monthly at local vendors, emergency grant assistance when available, access to garden and farming space, business development, farm shares of fresh veggies and chicken, COVID Resources and information.

We continue to support COVID education, access to tests, PPE equipment through our HRiA grant.

Have fun scrolling through photos, our new Happiness Toolbox video and news clips that capture our last month. 

At Happiness Toolbox and Real Talk with our BRIDGE youth, our youth had fun enriching opportunities advocating for and celebrating the Crown Act to prevent discrimination against African American Hair Styles as a Massachusetts policy. We celebrated with our second Mawu Hair Salon and our summer program youth reflected in interviews in the evening news! 

Also, we celebrated the installation of the Elizabeth Freeman Monument and our youth voices at the table to speak of its impact! Please read the powerful essay winners on the Sheffield Historical Site! It was a privilege to contribute to the essay launch with representatives from our entire BRIDGE community of youth leaders, board, donors, volunteers and staff! 

Next month keep an eye out for our Racial Justice Schedule and our Women to Women meetings. We also have a few Social Justice in Action events for you including one this Labor Day weekend! 

Serving it Forward in Community,
Gwendolyn

Happiness TOolbox 2022

Toolbox Promo from Gwendolyn VanSant on Vimeo.


​We seek to provide leadership opportunities for them while providing healing spaces filled with joy, peer support, and also tools/strategies to recognize their internal strengths, affirm their cultural identity and pride, and develop their own pathways to success and thriving.

Elizabeth Freeman

BRIDGE unveils a new vision of equity, inclusion, and justice for the Berkshires | Hannah Van Sickle | Berkshire Edge

Congrats to the winners! 
Winners:
1st prize Anouk Bizalion
2nd prize Kota Rinaldi
3rd prize Jessica Yauri Cambi


BRIDGE Honorable Mentions & Speakers:
Armando Bautista Cruz
Jaziyah Forte (Read Her Remarks Here)

Thanks to our essay committee
Committee chair: Gwendolyn VanSant and Jesse Carpenter, Principal of Mt. Everett

Committee Reviewers:
Florence Afanukoe
Sonali Anderson
Dr. Gail Bouknight-Davis
Tessa Climo
Maya Hampton VanSant
Julianne Harwood
Dr. John Horan
Rev. Sloan Letman IV
Jeff Lowenstein
Dr. Dan Nielson
Ashni Sunder
Stephanie Wright
Click here to read Gwendolyn's remarks

​Meet Elizabeth Freeman | A play by Teresa Miller, starring Wanda Houston

The Monument Unveiling

The CROWN Act

Berkshire County Residents react to the Crown Act Being Signed Into Law
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Picture

Solidarity Garden & Farm

Despite the drought and heat, the Solidarity Garden and Farm is a beautiful and thriving place to be this summer. As summer turns towards fall, we are enjoying a wild abundance of tomatoes, potatoes, beans, gladiolus, and nicotiana. We are growing in all 27 garden beds this summer and 4 farm plots and are looking to build more beds next spring. Let us know if you're interested in getting involved! [email protected]
New volunteers are welcome; please take a moment to complete the BRIDGE Volunteer Form if you haven't already.
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Picture

​DA AND SHERIFF FORUM


Racial Justice mtg Schedule

TRJ meeting postponed to September 29th.

September 12
Race Task Force | Housing Presentation By Construct

12:30pm - 2pm
Zoom or in-Person at the Ralph Froio Center

September 29
TRJ: White Accomplices for Racial Justice Accountability Forum

Social Justice in Action

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We have deployed $5800 in to our mutual aid families to use at farmers markets, farms and local vendors. 

BRIDGE & BerkShares: David Fix Article–on Berkshire Edge
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Women-To-Women September dates

09/01/22 | ZOOM
Topic:  Domestic Violence in children
Guest: Estervina Davis

09/08/22 | ZOOM
Topic: Bicultural Benefits
Guest: Carmen Baker

09/15/22 | Zoom
Topic: Community Support Option
Guest:  Maria Mejia
​
09/22/22 | ZOOM
Topic: Dreaming your future
Guest: Silvia Soria and Estervina Davis

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff And Volunteers
    • Board and Advisory Council
    • Partnerships and Coalitions
    • Organization Members
    • Impact
    • Support Us
  • Programs
    • Happiness Toolbox Summer Program >
      • HT2022 Photos
      • HT2021 Photos
      • Happiness Toolbox Sessions
      • HT Bios
    • Community Education >
      • Cultural Competence Community Training
      • Real Talk On Race
    • Youth >
      • Happiness Toolbox >
        • Happiness Toolbox Blog
        • Coloring Pages
        • Happiness Toolbox Photos
      • Real Talk
    • Towards Racial Justice And Equity In the Berkshires >
      • TRJ-South
      • Race Task Force
      • Great Barrington Trust Policy
      • Honoring Du Bois's Life & Legacy >
        • Du Bois Legacy Participants 2022
      • Not In Our County - Berkshires
    • Women To Women >
      • Immigrant Women's Group
      • Professional Support/Community Integration
      • Mindfulness and Movement
    • Berkshire Trans Group
    • New Pathways >
      • New Pathways Social Justice Conference 2020 >
        • New Pathways Conference Keynote
        • New Pathways Conference Videos
        • New Pathways 2020 Conference Bios
      • New Pathways Labs
      • New Pathways Talks
      • New Pathways Podcast
      • New Pathways Bios
    • Food Sovereignty & Sustainability >
      • Resource Kits
      • Distribution Sign Up
  • Services
    • Business >
      • Educational Support
      • Workplace Programming
      • State Vendor: Supplier Diversity Program
      • Recruitment
      • Language Access Services
    • Memberships
    • IDEA Institute Trainings
    • Online Training >
      • Virtual Training Hub >
        • Cultural Competence Foundations
      • Inclusive Leadership Cohort >
        • ILC Project Proposals
  • Ways To Give
  • News And Events
    • Mosaic Stories
    • Catalyst.Love.Impact GALA >
      • Gala Photo Gallery
      • Gala Impact
      • Gala Bios
    • Events >
      • Event Photos
    • Announcements
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Photo Gallery
  • Resources
  • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Members
    • Member Resources