In This Issue:
- From the Director
- September Classes
- TS Covid Safety Protocols
- Standing TOGETHER Against Racism
- Andrea’s Column at musicmovieandhoops.com: ‘Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising Turns 20′
I am bursting with excitement about sharing some good news! The Truth School is delighted to announce a new partnership that will extend our reach, serve new class participants, and put us smack in the middle of great networking, deep listening, and opportunities for growth.
Beginning in September, the Truth School is partnering with The Community Resilience Hub in Northampton, MA. This for us is a dream come true.
The Hub is a collaborative initiative coordinated by Community Action Pioneer Valley and the City of Northampton, MA, which aims to build coordinated access to services and resources for the city’s most vulnerable residents. The Hub is currently based at St. John’s Church in downtown Northampton. Soon the Hub will have a building of its own and will be a space where community members can access meals and food resources, medical services, mental health support, case management to assist in accessing services such as social security, legal aid, housing navigation, and more, as well as intentional peer-based support systems to amplify the city’s work around mutual aid and non-institutionally-based support.
The coalition of partners working to establish the Hub are focused on centering voices and increasing representation of those with lived experience throughout this process, aiming to expand their access to power in decision-making and fostering a culture that respects and values diverse input.
This Fall the Truth School will join with the Hub at St. John’s Church to offer classes there at the church, open to all. Each class will start with Truth School class participants joining those coming to the Hub for the free dinner meal. The community meal, open to everyone, will be an opportunity for TS class participants to share a meal with members of the Hub community, forge relationships, and share stories. Following the community meal, everyone will be invited to a room adjoining the dining hall for the TS class. The community meal will begin at 6 PM, and the TS classes will begin at 7 PM.
The Truth School classes being held at the Hub this Fall are:
Resting to Rise, with Benita Jackson, on September 14;
Ladder 2 Leadership, with Nikai Fondon, on October 12;
Cultural Humility and Cross-Cultural Communications: The Building Blocks of Racial Equity, with Amihan Matias, on November 9;
Circle Practice to Mark the Winter Solstice, with Strong Oak Lefebvre, on December 21.
Anyone who can travel to Western Massachusetts is invited to visit the Truth School website and register for these classes – all preceded by the community meal.
We are honored to partner with the Community Resilience Hub to break bread together and to share in these fine classes taught by skilled and experienced Truth School trainers. Our hope is that the TS partnership with the Hub will expand and in the Spring 2023 catalogue there will be even more TS class offerings at the Hub – starting with the shared community dinner.
Ever onward and upward, and in solidarity,
Andrea
SEPTEMBER 2022 CLASSES
If you register for a class but can’t make it, please let us know. Accurate information about class size is important for trainers to know for preparation and planning purposes. Thank you for this courtesy.
with Omkari Williams, Saturday, September 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
On ZoomResting To Rise: A Daring to Rest Community Nap
with Benita Jackson, Wednesday, September 14, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: The Community Resilience Hub, St. John’s Church, 48 Elm Street, Northampton, MAMentoring Young People of Color
with Steven Hernandez, Thursday, September 15, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
On ZoomLabyrinth of Courage
with Sister Nobuntu Ingrid Askew & Janet Aalfs, Saturday, September 17, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: The Pan African Historical Museum, 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MAStories of Challenges and Successes Shared by Local Refugees
with Carolyn Shakti Sadeh, Saturday, September 17, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Arise for Social Justice, 38 School Street, Springfield, MA
Microaggressions: Death by a Thousand Cuts
with Amihan Matias, Sunday, September 18, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
On Zoom
Circle Practice: Learning the Basics
with Tasondra Jardine, Thursday, September 22, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Location: Holyoke Public Library, Community Room, 250 Chestnut Street, Holyoke, MA
Towards a Pandemic She-covery
with Tanisha Arena, Saturday, September 24, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
On Zoom
Understanding Islam: A Judgment-Free Workshop, Bring Your Questions
with Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Wednesday, September 28, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
On Zoom
The Ballot and Community Control Over Police
with Netfa Freeman, Thursday, September 29, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
On Zoom
Truth School Covid-19 Safety Protocols
The Truth School has transitioned to a mix of virtual and in-person classes. We are committed to protecting your health and safety while you attend in-person Truth School classes, so we ask you all to comply with the following COVID-19 safety Protocols.
Masks – We encourage participants to wear masks during our classes.
Physical Distancing – We will arrange seating so that there is adequate spacing in between participants, and between trainer and participants.
Ventilation – We will provide ventilation in training rooms by opening windows. If a training site does not have windows that will open, we will provide an air purifier.
Illness – If you have any signs of a cough, cold, fever or are not feeling well, please stay home.
Sanitizing – We will provide hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes at each class.
The Truth School is honored to join with other Standing TOGETHER partners for this upcoming presentation. We hope you will join us.
