 IDEA Training for Executive Leadership: New Training offering for BRIDGE clients, members, and partners! We begin with a refresher on core BRIDGE courses in Cultural humility, bias, Equity and systems of oppression followed by a 3-part IDEA training focused on organizational leadership in Equity and Inclusion with a gender, race and poverty analysis. We center on organizational strengths building capacity and strategy for leaders, administrators and decision-makers in their respective coalitions, organizations and corporations. This 2022 training session is guided by best practices in justice and equity as well as cultural competence. Over the sessions, we are building cross-sector and interdepartmental connections speaking to accountability in a confidential learning environment. As you look to engage successfully with vendors, partners, and new employees of underrepresented groups in your workplace or sector, this will be a useful tool and continued resource hub. If you would like to participate, please email Registration@Multiculturalbridge.org with the subject line: RSVP for IDEA Training for Executive Leadership. 2022 May Engagements with BRIDGE:
0 Comments
BERKSHIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE WILL BE PRESENTING: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents Childcare and Dinner will be provided! RSVP Required for meals and childcare Please RSVP to Stephanie at nbCC by: Friday, March 25 413-663-7588 (dinner will be from 5:45 pm – 6:25 pm - The presentation will begin at 6:30 pm) Wednesday March 30th, 2022 5:45pm- 8pm Drury High School 1130 Church Street North Adams The Presentation will include:
NEW RESEARCH PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON THE VALUE OF ARTS & CULTURE, AND IDEAS FOR CHANGEPlease join us for a virtual presentation and discussion of Culture + Community research findings for the state of Massachusetts and Berkshire County on Thursday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m This research shares insights from thousands of Massachusetts residents and provides statewide and local findings on:
Culture + Community in a Time of Transformation: Focus on Massachusetts is a specialized report from Slover Linett Audience Research and commissioned by the Barr Foundation. It extends learnings from national Culture + Community research to the state and county level. The session will be a deep dive on Berkshire County, with a presentation of key findings followed by a discussion on how to act on them in the county's arts and culture sector and beyond. Guest speakers will include Margaret Keller (Community Access to the Arts), Thasia Giles (Jacob’s Pillow) and Gwendolyn VanSant (BRIDGE). Register Now THE WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH EQUITY NETWORK PRESENTS MOSAIC: FILM, CONVERSATION AND COMMUNITYThursday, May 5th at 6 pm More Here FREE, Registration required The Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network in conjunction with Multicultural BRIDGE presents an evening of cultural exploration, performance, and intergenerational conversation centered on the screening of the new Western MA film, Mosaic, a film that the Network commissioned to highlight the transformational work of local leaders of color and other voices from the Connecticut River Valley to the Berkshires. A regional group of young and old helped create the content and guide the process of the film’s focus on the intersection of racism and health. What would a world without racism look like? What would it be like if quality healthcare were accessible to all? How can we embrace and support wellbeing in all its manifestations? What could healthy communities look like…and accomplish? Join as these questions and more are explored in an open, supportive, creative environment. Upcoming BRIDGE training Foundations Training: Building cultural competency is a foundational journey that organizational employees take, because the end result is a more inclusive, connected and effective organization through developing awareness, tools and resources for professional education, sector and professional bias awareness and cultural knowledge. Rooted in cultural humility, BRIDGE’s award-winning, transformational and interactive training has been designed to support businesses and nonprofits in proactively developing a diverse, integrated positive workplace environment that allows your organization to thrive.
Food sovereignty and sustainability has always been a part of BRIDGE’s programming! Starting 10 years ago, BRIDGE has had a long-term partnership with Gideons Garden (stewarded by Grace Episcopal Church at Taft Farms) for our Happiness Toolbox summer programming for youth. Over the years, Happiness Toolbox youth participants have participated in a summer Seed to Harvest planting ceremonies in the Spring and harvesting for their families, and visiting the farm. Taft Farms with Gideons Garden have also provided healthy snacks for Happiness Toolbox for a decade along with their harvests. Our Women to Women participants and their children enjoy nutritious meals twice a month for 10+ years uninterrupted. Donate to Support the program!
A Week- Thursday’s- Resource kit prep/office support in Lee 2-4pm Friday’s First Congregational Church in Great Barrington 10:30-12:00 Sorting & Packing items 12:00-3:00 Finish packing, assist loading vehicles Afternoon Deliveries (times assigned individually between 12 - 2:30) Delivery drivers can sign up to drive after earlier shifts, or to pick up items to deliver in the afternoon. B Week- Friday’s - BRIDGE Mutual Aid Distribution pick up in Lee New volunteers are welcome; please take a moment to complete the BRIDGE Volunteer Form if you haven't already. save the datesApril 2nd: Honoring Rev Ester Dozier With Clinton Church and NAACP and family April 22nd: Celebrating Earth Day with Happiness Toolbox, Women to Women and MVP Care GB. Details to come. May 21st: Great Barrington History Project With Delano Burrows 2022 APRIL ENGAGEMENTS WITH BRIDGE:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 17, 2022 Hybrid Event: Berkshire South Community Center & Zoom 9:00am-3:00pm Join BRIDGE, Berkshire South, Berkshire National Resources Council and the Office of the Berkshire District Attorney as we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. MLK Day of Service January 17th presented by BRIDGE, Berkshire South, and the office of the Berkshire District Attorney. This hybrid event will be hosted at Berkshire South Community Center where folks will have the option to pick up bagged lunches and project kits for the Civil Rights cloud and Valentine's day card activities. Please complete the form linked below to let us know if you will be picking up bagged lunches and/or project kits. Please bring negative tests and/or vaccination cards. You can pick up art kits, 7 Am - 12 noon at Berkshire South on Saturday and Sunday. Register by emailing RSVP@multiculturalbridge.org for service assignments, Zoom link, and bagged lunch registration. You can also fill out the RSVP form linked below.
|
|
|
Alternatively, our partners at the NAACP are offering this programming:
This year’s salute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in accordance with the wishes of the King family, is focused on voting rights. After the keynote speech from Olivia Nda at 9:20am, a graduate of Pittsfield High School and a senior at Howard University, virtual sessions will be held in Zoom breakout rooms, allowing participants to connect and share ideas with fellow community members. To register for the event, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/mlkday.
Join us for service activities including:
Please drop off donations between 1-3 pm at Paterson Field House, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, downhill from the main campus of Berkshire Community College. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.
Alternatively, participants can make a monetary donation to the Pittsfield homeless shelter by visiting www.berkshirecc.edu/mlkday and following the donation instructions on the event page.
This year’s salute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in accordance with the wishes of the King family, is focused on voting rights. After the keynote speech from Olivia Nda at 9:20am, a graduate of Pittsfield High School and a senior at Howard University, virtual sessions will be held in Zoom breakout rooms, allowing participants to connect and share ideas with fellow community members. To register for the event, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/mlkday.
Join us for service activities including:
- Writing postcards to your elected officials to advocate against voter suppression and discriminatory legislation.
- Crafting Valentine's Day cards and notes of appreciation for Berkshire Healthcare Systems nursing home residents and staff members (please mark ‘resident’ or ‘staff’ before drop-off)
- Donating new face masks, new underwear for men and women, small hand sanitizer, disposable menstrual products, individual snacks, and coffee K-cups for the homeless shelter in Pittsfield.
Please drop off donations between 1-3 pm at Paterson Field House, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, downhill from the main campus of Berkshire Community College. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.
Alternatively, participants can make a monetary donation to the Pittsfield homeless shelter by visiting www.berkshirecc.edu/mlkday and following the donation instructions on the event page.
- Race Task Force for Racial Justice (RTF): Monday, January 3rd 12:30PM - 2:00PM
- Towards Racial Justice- South County Meeting (TRJ): Thursday, January 6th 6:30PM - 9:00PM
- Women to Women (W2W):
- Thursday, January 6th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Gwendolyn VanSant
- Topic: Topic: Racial and Social Justice
- Local: Zoom
- Thursday, January 6th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Thursday, January 13th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Carmen Baker
- Topic: Super Powers Chapter 12
- Local: Zoom
- Thursday, January 20th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Julia Antunez
- Topic: Yoga
- Local: TBD
- Guest: Sllvana Proano
- Topic: 18 Degrees
- Local: Zoom
- White Caucus for Racial Justice: Thursday, January 27th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Save the Date: Berkshire South and BRIDGE MLK Service Day January 17th 9 AM- 3PM. Stay tuned for details. Email Rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org if you are looking to host a service project or work on one as an individual or family and which part of the day you are free. Justice, Safety and Equity in Community conversation part 2 (follow up to last year) with local law enforcement, justice organizers and public safety, childrens and family activities with Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech and biography, and COVID-safe service projects in community with local churches and programs throughout Great Barrington and surrounding towns.
- IDEA Institute: Cultural Competence Foundations
- 1st Session: January 7th 9AM - 1PM
- 2nd Session: January 14th 9AM - 1PM
- IDEA Institute: Systems of Oppression
- 1st Session: January 21st 9AM - 1PM
- 2nd Session: January 28th 9AM - 1PM
Check out the Beauty Sale sponsored by Jane Larkworthy and details about our Open House on December 20th to celebrate the solstice and another year of mutual aid, impact, and resilient connections: https://www.32auctions.com/HolidaySJIA
From our State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, please join in the initiative to honor our very own Elizabeth Freeman. Details are attached of how you can contribute to this special legacy project.
Check out our Ways to Give Page as always, we have creative ways for you to join us as an individual or business in our pursuit of justice and equity.
Be well,
the BRIDGE team
Take a peek in our Restorative Justice Box to see a delicious update from Aunt Elsies!
the BRIDGE team
Take a peek in our Restorative Justice Box to see a delicious update from Aunt Elsies!
FYI: Tonight at 5:30 on Zoom: The town of Great Barrington Trustee meeting
Topic of interest: considering the W.E.B. Du Bois statue.
The statue discussion is slated to begin at 6:00
Topic of interest: considering the W.E.B. Du Bois statue.
The statue discussion is slated to begin at 6:00
- Towards Racial Justice- South County Meeting (TRJ)
- Thursday, December 2nd 6:30PM - 8:30PM
- Click this link to register for TRJ
- Women to Women (W2W):
- Thursday, December 2nd 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant
- Topic: Topic: Racial and Social Justice
- Thursday, December 9th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Carmen Baker
- Topic: Super Powers Chapter 12
- Thursday, December 16th 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Guest: Walk Our Talk (WOT) and Happiness Toolbox
- Topic: Christmas/Holiday Celebration
- Location: UUMSB 1089 Main St. Housatonic, MA (COVID restrictions apply)
- Register here: https://forms.gle/AonVCvSfA6pB2Nyi6
- Thursday, December 2nd 6:00PM - 8:00PM
- Race Task Force for Racial Justice (RTF):
- Monday, December 6th 12:30PM - 2:00PM
- Click this link to register for RTF
- Winter Book Club in Honor of late BRIDGE member, Alina Hsu:
- Starting Wednesday, December 15th
- Will Meet via Zoom
- RSVP by: December 8th
- Copies of book available if cost prohibitive
- Email RSVP@multiculturalbridge.org to sign up.
Upcoming trainings
- IDEA Institute: Cultural Competence Foundations
- Jan. 7th & Jan. 14th 9AM-1PM
- BRIDGE Team: $250
- Registration Link: Click Here For Zoom
- IDEA Institute: Systems of Oppression
- Jan. 21st & Jan. 28th 9AM-1PM
- BRIDGE Team: $250
- Registration Link: Click Here For Zoom
Please note: Race Task Force and Toward Racial Justice are canceled for October due to our Indigenous People’s Day events
- Race Task Force for Racial Justice Meeting (RTF)-: Monday, November, 1st 12:30PM - 2:00PM - See you in November! Please join the important events and dialogues this Month as your October action!
- Towards Racial Justice- South County Meeting (TRJ): Thursday, November 4th 6:30PM - 8:30PM See you in November! Please join the important events and dialogues this Month as your October action!
- See more info on upcoming partner events in our recent post. We hope to see you there!
- Thursday, September 30th 6:00PM -8:00PM
Topic: Special Meeting with Gwendolyn VanSant on Immigrant Justice is Racial Justice: Linking together - Thursday, October 7th 6:00PM - 8:00PM (virtual)
Topic: Open Discussion facilitated by Silvia Soria and Carmen Baker - Thursday, October 14th 6:00PM - 8:00PM (virtual)
Guest: Carmen Baker
Topic: Super Powered- Chapter 11 - Thursday, October 21st 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Canning & Jarring Class at First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA Please RSVP! rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org. Limited capacity with COVID protocols in place. - Thursday, October 28th 6:00PM - 8:00PM (virtual)
Guest: Lee Bank
Topic: Finances
- October 30, 2021 4-7 PM (T). A collaboration between BRIDGE’s Happiness Toolbox and Real Talk Youth Leaders and Sweet Freedom Farm. This is a family event with hayrides, youth activities, and more. rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org
MUTUAL AID: 2nd Annual Introduction: Canning & Jarring Class:
- Thursday, October 21st 5:00PM - 7:00PM (in person) at First Congregational Church in Great Barrington, MA | 251 Main St., Great Barrington, MA rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org
- Registration open! IDEA Institute: Train-the-Trainer in Cultural Competence Foundations: October 21st- Nov 18 (except 11/11 moved to 11/12) 3-5:30 PM
- Please RSVP@multiculturalbridge.org to register for Train the Trainer. Pre-requisites: Active 2020 or 2021 BRIDGE member can send 2 candidates. Qualified, suitable candidates with professional facilitation or equivalent experience for training and education; Foundations and Systems Training or equivalent. Make inquiries to adminsupport@multiculturalbridge.org regarding eligibility. Please anticipate a minimum of 4 hrs of time outside of the trainings to build your own cultural competence training deck for your organization as the final result! Observation hours also required! Call Allison for details at 413-394-4305.
BRIDGE is thrilled to be a co-sponsor for Indigenous People's Day with many local partners and Alliance for a Better Future.
Berkshires Community to Observe Indigenous Peoples' Day
Four events highlight community, education, ceremony, and integration
Drumming, traditional Native American songs, speeches, and a procession culminating in a ceremonial blessing of the Housatonic River will mark the local observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Great Barrington on Monday, October 11 2021.
This will be the centerpiece of a four-event program organized by Alliance for a Viable Future, a local grass-roots organization. The aim is to acknowledge and heal the wounds of our past, honor the Native American ethic of respect and care for the natural world, and integrate indigenous values into our response to climate change, according to Lev Natan, organizer and founding director of the Alliance.
“The commemoration is inspired, in part, by Randy Weinstein and Gwendolyn VanSant of the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, who, in 2019, asked the Town of Great Barrington to join a growing movement of towns, cities and states around the country who are recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” said Natan.
Please read the details below, we hope you will join in community.
Berkshires Community to Observe Indigenous Peoples' Day
Four events highlight community, education, ceremony, and integration
Drumming, traditional Native American songs, speeches, and a procession culminating in a ceremonial blessing of the Housatonic River will mark the local observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Great Barrington on Monday, October 11 2021.
This will be the centerpiece of a four-event program organized by Alliance for a Viable Future, a local grass-roots organization. The aim is to acknowledge and heal the wounds of our past, honor the Native American ethic of respect and care for the natural world, and integrate indigenous values into our response to climate change, according to Lev Natan, organizer and founding director of the Alliance.
“The commemoration is inspired, in part, by Randy Weinstein and Gwendolyn VanSant of the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee, who, in 2019, asked the Town of Great Barrington to join a growing movement of towns, cities and states around the country who are recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” said Natan.
Please read the details below, we hope you will join in community.
Indigenous People’s Day 2021
ALL EVENTS WILL FOLLOW COVID GUIDELINES.
PLEASE RESPECT OUR REQUEST TO WEAR A MASK. THANK YOU.
The Board of Health’s expanded advisory took effect Friday and encourages mask-wearing “where social distancing cannot be maintained, and when attending with anyone outside of your household.”
PLEASE RESPECT OUR REQUEST TO WEAR A MASK. THANK YOU.
The Board of Health’s expanded advisory took effect Friday and encourages mask-wearing “where social distancing cannot be maintained, and when attending with anyone outside of your household.”
Join us for four events in southern Berkshire county on Indigenous People’s Day. Our mission is to acknowledge and heal our last, honor the Native American worldview and ethic to care for nature and to integrate indigenous values into our response to climate change.
Schedule
Schedule
- Thursday, September 23rd April Hill (Greenagers), Egremont, MA 6:00 - 8:00pm
- Friday, October 1st Listening Deeply: Indigenous Voice Panel Discussion Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire 6:00 - 8:00pm
- Monday, October 11th Indigenous People’s Day Gazebo Park in Great Barrington, MA 11:00am - 2:00pm
- Sunday, October 17th Moving Forward Together: Integration & Next Steps Workshop Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire 1:30 - 4:30pm
Equinox Fire Ceremony & Potluck April Hill (Greenagers), Egremont, MA
Thursday, September 23rd 6:00 - 8:00pm
Nature-based cultures tend to celebrate the change of seasons. Here in the Northeast, the transition from summer to autumn is magnificent. Let’s honor this moment together, build community, and bring our hearts and minds together, as one, to prepare for Indigenous People’s Day.
6:00 - 7:30 | Equinox Fire Ceremony to Prepare for Indigenous People’s Day
7:30 - 8:00 | Potluck & Connect by the Fire
Thursday, September 23rd 6:00 - 8:00pm
Nature-based cultures tend to celebrate the change of seasons. Here in the Northeast, the transition from summer to autumn is magnificent. Let’s honor this moment together, build community, and bring our hearts and minds together, as one, to prepare for Indigenous People’s Day.
6:00 - 7:30 | Equinox Fire Ceremony to Prepare for Indigenous People’s Day
7:30 - 8:00 | Potluck & Connect by the Fire
Listening Deeply
Indigenous Voice Panel Discussion
Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire
Friday, October 1st
6:00 - 8:00pm
What’s the purpose of Indigenous People’s Day? Where did it come from? Why does it matter?
In this workshop, we will explore the history of this event, what it represents and symbolizes, and how it is an essential part of the movement for Climate Leadership. Most importantly, we will connect the dots between honoring Indigenous Values and strengthening our community’s resilience to climate change.
Indigenous Voice Panel Discussion
Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire
Friday, October 1st
6:00 - 8:00pm
What’s the purpose of Indigenous People’s Day? Where did it come from? Why does it matter?
In this workshop, we will explore the history of this event, what it represents and symbolizes, and how it is an essential part of the movement for Climate Leadership. Most importantly, we will connect the dots between honoring Indigenous Values and strengthening our community’s resilience to climate change.
Indigenous People’s Day
Gazebo Park in Great Barrington, MA
Monday, October 11th
11:00am - 2:00pm
Come together with your whole community, and join Native American Community Leaders from around the Northeast, and the whole country, to observe this important holiday.
Gazebo Park in Great Barrington, MA
Monday, October 11th
11:00am - 2:00pm
Come together with your whole community, and join Native American Community Leaders from around the Northeast, and the whole country, to observe this important holiday.
Moving Forward Together
Integration & Next Steps Workshop
Unitarian Universalist
Meeting of South Berkshire
Sunday, October 17th
1:30 - 4:30pm
Let’s take time to integrate this powerful experience and clarify our next steps; together - as a community. What new insights did you have because you participated in these events? What new sense of community do you now feel? What commitments are emerging, in regards to next steps for the year to come? How can we support each other to deepen our efforts around climate resilience in our communities? This is where the rubber hits the road.
Integration & Next Steps Workshop
Unitarian Universalist
Meeting of South Berkshire
Sunday, October 17th
1:30 - 4:30pm
Let’s take time to integrate this powerful experience and clarify our next steps; together - as a community. What new insights did you have because you participated in these events? What new sense of community do you now feel? What commitments are emerging, in regards to next steps for the year to come? How can we support each other to deepen our efforts around climate resilience in our communities? This is where the rubber hits the road.
Systems Of Oppression runs the next two Fridays. Join Us!
2021 September Engagements:
- Women2Women (W2):
- Thursday, September 9th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Guest: Greylock VP of Administrative Services, JamieEllen Moncecchi
- Thursday, September 16th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Guest: Maya Richards
- Topic: Herbs Use
- Thursday, September 23rd 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Guest: Learn to Cope
- Topic: Support Drugs and Alcohol
- Thursday, September 9th 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- White Caucus for Racial Justice Meeting: Thursday, September, 23rd 7:00 - 9:00 PM
- Men’s Caucus for Racial Justice Meeting: Monday, September 27th 7:00 - 9:00 PM
- POC Caucus for Racial Justice Meeting:
- IDEA Institute@BRIDGE Systems of Oppression training and Train the Trainer
- Please RSVP@multiculturalbridge.org to register for Fall Cultural Competence Foundations, Systems of Oppression, and Train the Trainer - held at Berkshire Community College
- IDEA Institute: Foundation Fridays, BRIDGE Team $250- Sept 10 & Sept 17th 9- 1 PM
- IDEA Institute: Systems of Oppression, BRIDGE team $250- Sept 24 & October 1 9-12 PM
- IDEA Institute: Foundation Fridays, BRIDGE Team $250- Sept 10 & Sept 17th 9- 1 PM
- Please RSVP@multiculturalbridge.org to register for Fall Cultural Competence Foundations, Systems of Oppression, and Train the Trainer - held at Berkshire Community College
BRIDGE EVENTS
Events posted here are hosted by or sponsored by BRIDGE.
ArchiveS
March 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
July 2021
May 2021
March 2021
January 2021
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
February 2019
January 2019
November 2018
September 2018
June 2018
May 2018
RSS Feed