October 3, 2026Peace, Community & Collective Care September has been a month of community care, advocacy, wellness, and connection at BRIDGE. Across our programs and gatherings, we continued creating spaces for the community to connect, care for one another, and take action together. BRIDGE’s International Day of Peace and Annual Fish Fry brought our community together for a joyful celebration of food, culture, healing, and connection. From traditional meals and African dance to hip-hop for seniors, Indigenous healing, and wellness activities, the gathering celebrated the cultures and traditions that bring our community together. It was a beautiful reminder of what peace can look like in practice, sharing, caring, celebrating, and creating belonging together. We also joined the local Peace Torch Community at Great Barrington Town Hall for Seven Minutes of Peace, standing in solidarity with people around the world. We celebrated the passage of the Haitian TPS Resolution, an important step in standing with our Haitian neighbors and strengthening access to local resources, information, and protections. Our Mutual Aid Food Distribution continued each Friday, sustained by our farmers, volunteers, partners, and donors. These weekly gatherings go beyond food, advancing food sovereignty, dignity, and community care. Our Wellness Day brought the community together around culturally specific healing and wellness practices, including acupuncture, Qi Gong, massage, Reiki, somatic therapy, and Rooted Remedies. We were excited to welcome back our English classes, creating opportunities for learning, connection, confidence, and community. Our Women to Women gatherings continue on 2nd (hybrid) and 4th Thursdays (in person), offering an intentional space for women to connect, share, and support one another. Looking forward to Women to Women collaboration 10/18 led by Ana Q for our anual harvest festival. With a pig roast! Last month, Sister to Sister launched its second Wealth & Health Workshop Series, creating another space for Sister to Sister to explore the connections between financial well-being, health, knowledge, and empowerment. The second session with Greylock Federal and Mario Hurtado, MD of BRIDGE SHAWE team will be October 21! We were also proud to co-produce the 2nd Annual Fodder: Stories from the Fields with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, Berkshire Grown, Greenagers, and Berkshire Community Land Trust's Farmsteads for Farmers. The event brought farmers and community members together through storytelling, local food, and connection, while celebrating the people who sustain our regional food system. A special thank you to storytelling maven Sheela Clary, who served as our emcee, and to our generous sponsors: Edible Berkshires, Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, Guidos Fresh Marketplace, and The Village Green News, whose support helped make this gathering possible. October is my favorite season and I hope you join me in celebrating the Berkshire Fall! Stay tuned for opportunities to close out our successful farm season with our Solidarity Farm team; celebrate my birthday with a meaningful gift to BRIDGE next week on line, in person or on Facebook; get a sneak peak at our new logo and much much more! We look forward to continuing to build, learn, heal, advocate, and care for our community together. With gratitude, Gwendolyn VanSant CEO & Founder, BRIDGE GROWING FOOD, HEALTH & COMMUNITY AT BRIDGEHealthy food, cultural belonging, and community leadership grow together at BRIDGE. Among 103 Mutual Aid re-enrollment surveys, 95.1% reported that the program was very helpful for food at home, and 73.8% reported improved food security. Through farm-grown produce, multilingual programs, youth mentorship, and transportation, neighbors are building a healthier, more connected community. UPCOMING EVENTSCOMMUNITY EVENTSOctober 7 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Please RSVP at rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org October 14 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Please RSVP at rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org October 17–31, 2026 For more information email us at Engagement@multiculturalbridge.org October 18 | 1:00–6:00 pm Please RSVP at rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org Race Equity Task Force: Trust Policy, SHAWE and EJ October 19, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Third Mondays of the Month Please RSVP at registration@multiculturalbridge.com October 21 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Foot/Leg Massage,Acupuncture Reiki & Zumba class Please RSVP here. Join BRIDGE Mutual Aid! Volunteer with us for weekly packing every Thursday and food distribution deliveries every Friday. Email sara@multiculturalbridge.org to volunteer. Workplace English Course with Profe Gwendolyn VanSant Tuesdays| Starting September 22, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 pm Conversational English with Prof. Daniel Nielson Thursdays| Starting September 24, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 pm English Grammar & Idioms Lesson with Prof. Don Roeder Saturdays | Starting September 26, 2026 | 2:30–3:30 pm Please RSVP at rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org. SISTER TO SISTER EVENTA workshop series focusing on health and financial stability & thriving. October 21| 6:00 - 8:00 pm Topics: Generational Wealth: Legal preparation needed to transfer property to loved ones / Inflammatory Causes, Symptoms and Remedies November 4 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm Topics: Open discussion on wealth - building / Anemia as a health issue Please reserve your spot here WOMEN TO WOMEN EVENTOctober 8, 2026 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm Monthly on 2nd Thurdays (hybrid) and 4th Thursdays (in person) RSVP at rsvp@multiculturalbridge.org. ANNOUNCEMENT We are proud partners with Department or Public Health and HRIA Race Equity Team to support filling out the CHES Survey. Contact us at engagement@multiculturalbridge.org or opportunities and incentives or fill out online via this link. 
Our BRIDGE Youth Corps leaders are also preparing to launch a Housatonic River restoration project, continuing to grow youth leadership and environmental stewardship in our community. Stay tuned for dates and more details!  Stay Connected. Show Up. Make an Impact.Support BRIDGE by donating, volunteering, or joining us at an upcoming event. Together, let's nurture belonging, advance equity, and build a more connected and resilient community. |