Shaw Israel Izikson | Berkshire Edge

Great Barrington -- Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education) celebrated its recent move to new headquarters on Thursday, May 22, with a ribbon-cutting event.

For much of its 18 years of operation, the organization, founded by Gwendolyn VanSant, operated from offices in Lee. For the past two years, the organization rented out a building at 965 Main Street.

In February, BRIDGE announced that it would move its programs to the building it calls the Solidarity House.

According to the organization’s website, Multicultural BRIDGE “connects vulnerable community members with key resources and networks, while also providing education to local institutions and the community at large.” The nonprofit organization offers multiple programs and community services.
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“I’m very excited that we have this building, and it feels like this event is important for BRIDGE,” organization founder and CEO VanSant told The Berkshire Edge. “I’m happy for people seeing how the project has developed. We’ve had about three and a half months to be in this space and build out the different programs. For Multicultural BRIDGE, this building gives us a sense of stability and sustainability. It helps us provide services for our community and fulfill our mission.”

Heather Bellow | The Berkshire Eagle

GREAT BARRINGTON — A sanctuary and support headquarters for people of color and the vulnerable has taken root here off South Main Street.
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Multicultural BRIDGE, a nonprofit whose first office was an attic, now has a 10,000-square-foot permanent home, called Solidarity Meeting House. It's outfitted with a commercial kitchen, a retreat and residence space, meeting areas and more office space.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, 75 attendees celebrated not just the new two-story space, but also lauded BRIDGE co-founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant. She was praised for her vision and ability to grow a nonprofit that works to heal the impact of racial inequities, trauma and poverty in the community and beyond.

With a stable place to call home at the edge of farm fields and a view of East Mountain, BRIDGE’s intention is that a healthy and strong community will be forged here.

“May this place be filled with peace, productivity, creativity and compassion,” said the Rev. Mattie Conway, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, in prayer.  “Let it stand as a beacon of hope.”