#Mygivingstory: tim and Lily (and levi!)

"We moved to Great Barrington just about two years ago, and became involved with BRIDGE through its monthly Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires meeting (TRJ) and the Real Talk on Race community classes. Now, not a week goes by that we both don't attend a BRIDGE event or meeting! We're so grateful to the community that Gwendolyn has fostered.  

We're blown away by everything that BRIDGE accomplishes--campaigns like Not in Our County, the Du Bois 150th Celebrations, and the Berkshire Trust Policy Partnership, in addition to programs like the Happiness Toolbox, Women2Women, and even consultation to businesses and industry leaders across the country on how to make their workplaces more diverse and equitable. Wow!

As a public health professional (Lily) and software engineer (Tim), we both see how BRIDGE makes a real difference in our lives, from helping people become more cognizant of how the dynamics of power and privilege play out in the workplace, to working to ensure that our community environments promote health and wellness for everyone.

We both were drawn to BRIDGE for so many reasons: it's a women-led and minority-run business; its commitment to supporting and amplifying the voices of families and communities who often are overlooked or discounted by our country's decision-makers; and its inspiring approach to fighting for equity and justice--balancing the personal, the political and everything in between. And as white folks committed to racial justice, BRIDGE consistently invites us to show up authentically and honestly in the work of dismantling white supremacy--and for that we are grateful. The personal growth we've both experienced as a result is immeasurable.

Our son Levi was born earlier this year, so we've been thinking a lot about the future. We donate to BRIDGE because this work--the work of undoing white supremacy, the work of cultivating community, the work of fighting for justice--is critical to the future we hope to help create for Levi and all those in the generations to come."

 ~Tim Likarish, BRIDGE Volunteer and Lily Swartz, BRIDGE Development Coordinator