Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Multicultural BRIDGE’s New Solidarity Meeting House in Great Barrington

​IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Multicultural BRIDGE’s New Solidarity Meeting House in Great Barrington

WHO: Multicultural BRIDGE and community partners 

WHAT: Opening of BRIDGE’s Solidarity Meeting House Celebrated with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Led by Local Community and Justice, Political & Faith Leaders

WHEN: Thursday, May 22, 2025 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM 
Short Farm & Garden Tour to follow 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

WHERE: BRIDGE Solidarity Meeting House | 965 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

RSVP: Media representatives please RSVP to [[email protected]] | Community members are invited to register for the event here

WHY: Multicultural BRIDGE invites the media and general public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the organization’s Solidarity Meeting House, a mixed-use building that will support the organization’s culturally specific, trauma-informed public health programming to promote healing, equity and justice featuring a culturally specific sanctuary space in the new Fawohodie Center.

​The event will feature BRIDGE Co-Founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant with speakers including State Representative Leigh Davis; BRIDGE Board Members Michael Obasohan, Wesaline Gadson and Gabriela Cruz; BRIDGE funder Alycia Davis; community partner Jalal Sabur of Sweet Freedom Farm; and more. Rev. Mattie Conway and board member Ashni Sunder will lead the community in blessings for the new building and its intentional placemaking.

“It is an incredible honor to celebrate this milestone with Multicultural BRIDGE as they open the doors to their permanent home in the heart of Great Barrington. BRIDGE has long been a champion of equity and inclusion—offering transformative programs that address everything from racial justice and trauma-informed care to housing stability and food sovereignty. With this new headquarters, initiatives like the Solidarity Farm, Fawohodie Center and Solidarity Kitchen, a commercial grade community will have the space and support they need to grow. This is more than a building—it’s a testament to what’s possible when we invest in community, dignity, and shared prosperity for all.”
— Leigh Davis, State Representative, 3rd Berkshire District

This strategic acquisition marks a significant grounding and expansion for BRIDGE, a locally-based, nationally-recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing equity and justice—enabling the organization to increase and strengthen their organizational offerings and support for community members, partners and more.
“The opening of the Solidarity Meeting House is a momentous step forward for BRIDGE, the people we serve and the community at large,” said Gwendolyn VanSant, BRIDGE founder and CEO. “This building was intentionally designed to host our community-centric programming—offering culturally specific trauma -informed holistic, wrap-around services and support for community members, while providing a central meeting place for BRIDGE staff, partners and volunteers for healing justice and community equity initiatives.”
The Solidarity Meeting House is a mixed-use, two-story building, featuring rooms for BRIDGE events, retreat and community meetings; culturally specific transitional housing for clients; a newly renovated commercial grade community kitchen; increased program offices for staff; a clothing swap shop; a seed library; a collection of books exploring themes including race, sexuality, gender and immigration; a community of color sanctuary and more. 
BRIDGE will use the building as its headquarters and home base for its multifaceted community programming, which includes:

• Food Sovereignty and Sustainability: Since the start of COVID-19, BRIDGE has built upon its previously established mutual aid networks to organize and deliver food and resources to 200+ families throughout Berkshire County, every other week. The wash-pack process is also hosted at the house as well as health education.
• Women to Women and Sister to Sister: Women of color support networks of mentors, leaders and peers, providing trauma-informed programming including professional development, positive psychology, meetups, excursions, mutual aid and more.
• Community Health Improvement Planning: Monthly meetings for business partners or community members working together to take accountable action for racial equity and community change in public health. 
• Youth Education and Empowerment: Education, training, service learning and mentoring programs for youth, rooted in positive education, diversity leadership and parent-mentor engagement.
• Equity Training & Holistic Educational Experiences: BRIDGE provides trauma-informed cultural humility training as well as foundational training in equity across sectors.

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About BRIDGE:
BRIDGE is a culturally specific, trauma-informed public health organization that focuses on healing, equity and justice. The women and people of global majority led organizations connect vulnerable community members with key resources and networks, while also providing training and education to both institutions and the community at large. Learn more: multiculturalbridge.org.

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