Multicultural BRIDGE
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Great Barrington Trust Policy


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In 2017, BRIDGE spearheaded the Great Barrington Trust Policy campaign, a citizen-initiated effort that helps to ensure that all residents living and working in the Great Barrington community are fully protected and supported by the local police and town government. Working in collaboration with the Great Barrington town manager, police department, citizen volunteers and partner organizations, BRIDGE finalize a version of the policy that was acceptable to all parties, helping to cultivate Great Barrington as a safe and inclusive community.

The town voted to adopt the Trust Policy in May of 2017. The policy language has also been adapted by other local communities to advance safety and equity for residents.


This work now lives on through the Berkshire Trust Policy Partnership, a collection of local organizations and volunteers working to pass similar local policies and resolutions that support safety and justice for all communities in the county.

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Trust Policies help to:

  • Ensure Fairness: All residents will be treated fairly, and not discriminated against because of their race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, immigration status, religious or political opinion or activity, or homed or homeless status.   

  • Protect Civil Liberties: The town and police will not use protected identities as the basis to survey, profile, check point, contact, detain, or arrest residents. This includes information about a person's immigration status, politics, religion, social affiliations and professed beliefs.
       
  • Build Transparency: Under the Trust Policy, the town is set to establish and communicate its policy for how the police will work with ICE and report to the town on its activities. ​

Great Barrington's Trust Policy was initially drafted and filed by Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO and founding director of Multicultural BRIDGE, with partners Berkshire Showing Up for Racial Justice, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, and Lia Spiliotes, executive director at Community Health Programs (CHP).

Learn more about the Great Barrington Trust Policy and campaign
.

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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
    • 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