Multicultural BRIDGE's Solidarity Meeting House opens in Great Barrington as sanctuary for the vulnerable and people of color

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.”

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