Building Bridges Announces Sept. 24 Gathering at Intervale Center: New Community Organization Helps Foster Multi-Cultural Friendships
BURLINGTON, VERMONT – Building Bridges with Friend Families, a new organization in Chittenden County, is working to foster trust between people of various cultural and religious backgrounds by creating spaces for networking and friendship. The organization recently announced its first community event, an international putlock, to be held at the Intervale Center on Sept. 24. Please mark your calendars, and bring a dish to share.
‘Building Bridges’ International Potluck
Intervale Center
180 Intervale Rd, Burlington, VT 05401
Event begins at noon
In the event of rain, the event will take place in the big barn area.
Margy Zabriskie, Building Bridges participant and member of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul said, “The purpose of the potluck is to bring more understanding of other cultures through personal friendships in the community. Stereotypes and prejudices are often unconscious, rooted in our cultural or religious backgrounds. Personal friendships can break down many of those unconscious and conscious stereotypes and prejudices.”
At the potluck, families and individuals of diverse backgrounds will be encouraged to pair up and learn about each other through intentional, mutual friendship. After the event, it will be up to the new friends to nurture the relationship. Attendees who are unsuccessful at making connections may request matchmaking assistance.
Zabriskie continued, People of different cultures have much to share with each other – their food, their culture, their faith, their families. Even with limited language, people can enjoy activities together, share pictures and food and learn about each other’s customs.
Zabriskie reported that Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, Recreation Superintendent Gary Rogers, Police Chief Brandon del Pozo have all expressed their support for the Building Bridges endeavor. Additionally, local faith leaders and Refugee Resettlement workers have been involved in the planning. In the meantime, Building Bridges has been reaching out to a host of individuals in the hopes of creating a committee that represents the widest possible spectrum of cultural and religious diversity within Chittenden County.
Individuals interested in learning more about Building Bridges are encouraged to contact Zabriskie at (802) 863-4571 or amzab2@comcast.net.