Cultivating Connections

In the latest episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, guests Jennifer Leshnower and Tony Lucero engage in an informative discussion about "bridging work" intended to bring people of diverse views and backgrounds together. The conversation centers on how national service programs like AmeriCorps can serve as platforms for building connections across diverse communities. Tony articulates that bridging involves coming together across divides to foster understanding, collaboration, and dialogue. He emphasizes that national service provides a unique opportunity to cultivate these skills, particularly in a society increasingly characterized by polarization.

Both guests share their personal journeys into national service, highlighting the transformative power of these experiences. Jen recounts her introduction to AmeriCorps during college, where she discovered the importance of service in fostering relationships among individuals from varying backgrounds. Tony shares his path from being a first-generation college graduate to becoming actively involved in community service, illustrating how mentorship and shared goals can bridge significant divides. The episode underscores the critical role of intentionality in bridging efforts and positions national service as a vital mechanism for addressing societal challenges through meaningful dialogue and connection.

Tony and Jen highlight important work being done by their organizations and others in the Bridging Divides group to bring this issue to the forefront. They also cover studies of bridging outcomes being created by national service organizations, and curriculum and other tools available for those interested in furthering this work.

This podcast episode features a deep dive into the Connective Tissue framework for increasing social connection, with its author Sam Pressler. The framework includes recommendations as to what policymakers and others can do at federal, state and local levels to increase social connections. The Connective Tissue site is organized into four major categories: 1) Foundational Changes; 2) Community Institutions; 3) Life Transitions and 4) Enabling Conditions.

During the conversation, Sam addresses the broader societal trends contributing to social disconnection. He identifies several key factors, including the decline of traditional institutions like religious organizations, civic groups, and unions, which historically provided stability and a sense of belonging. He notes that these changes disproportionately affect individuals without college degrees, who face higher barriers to civic engagement and social support. The data presented reveals alarming statistics about friendship and social networks, illustrating a growing divide in social capital based on educational attainment.

Sam explores potential policy interventions aimed at strengthening social connections. He argues that while policy alone cannot solve these issues, it can play an important role in addressing the structural challenges that lead to disconnection. He advocates for a multi-faceted approach that considers local solutions tailored to community needs, rather than relying solely on top-down policies. Throughout the conversation, host David Crowley incorporates various ways the Connective Tissue framework relates to the work of Social Capital Inc.

This episode serves as both an insightful exploration of the challenges surrounding social connection and a call to action for listeners to engage in fostering community ties in their own lives.

Guest Bio: Sam Pressler is a Practitioner Fellow at the University of Virginia's Karsh Institute of Democracy, a Research Affiliate at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program, and the author of Connective Tissue, a policy framework for the role of government in regenerating connection in American communities. In his past life, he founded and led the Armed Services Arts Partnership, America's largest community arts organization serving veterans and their families.

Resource links:

Connective Tissue Framework: https://theconnectivetissue.us/framework Subscribe to the Connective Tissue Newsletter: https://theconnectivetissue.us/newsletter Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/disconnected-places-and-spaces/

In a conversation celebrating SCI's 20th anniversary, host David welcomes Roger Wong, the first AmeriCorps member with SCI. They discuss his journey with AmeriCorps, motivated by a desire for a meaningful career after dissatisfaction with his consulting job post-9/11.

Roger shares his transformative experience managing the Youth Leadership Council, emphasizing youth empowerment and community engagement. He reflects on nearly two decades of professional growth since SCI, noting how the experience built his confidence and skills, leading to roles in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

He underscores the importance of adaptability, partnership-building, and understanding community needs, especially in light of significant crises like 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn More about SCI AmeriCorps at socialcapitalinc.org/americorps

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, Woburn Memorial High School rising senior Luke Sheldon discusses the inspiring work of Inclusive Eats, an organization dedicated to advocating for cultural relevancy in food aid programs. Luke shares how Inclusive Eats addresses the traditional shortcomings of food donations, which often consist of items that donors no longer want rather than foods that are culturally significant and nutritious for the recipients.

As a Brazilian American, Luke emphasizes the importance of providing food that resonates with people's cultural backgrounds, fostering dignity and connection in diverse communities. The organization not only supplies culturally relevant food to over 20 food pantries but also conducts awareness campaigns, cooking classes, and community dinners to promote understanding and unity through shared culinary experiences.

Luke recounts the personal journey and collaborative efforts that led to the founding of Inclusive Eats, including his brother's realization about the lack of culturally relevant food in pantries. He also discusses how participation in the SCI Youth Grant Pitch Contest helped Inclusive Eats develop a plan for a series of cooking classes.

Highlighting the impact of Inclusive Eats' cooking classes, he explains how these sessions serve as both educational and unifying experiences, bringing together people from different backgrounds to learn about and appreciate diverse culinary traditions. The success of the first Brazilian-themed class, which was covered by CBS News, exemplifies the powerful connections and sense of community that food can foster. Luke also shares his long-term goals for the organization to ensure its mission continues even after he graduates.

In this episode of the "SCI Cultivating Connections" podcast, SCI Development & Program Manager Leah Mulrenan interviews David Crowley, President & Founder of SCI Social Capital Inc.. David shares about the origins of SCI, which formed to foster intentional community building across diverse backgrounds. The aim was and continues to be bridging differences and creating a stronger, more connected community.

David and Leah discuss the continued importance of building social capital in light of the current challenges we face as a nation. David recaps recent work by Bowling Along author Robert Putnam, and a recent New York Times interview with Putnam. Leah and David discuss several issues that have been following similar trends to social capital, according to Putnam's recent book The Upswing, co-authored with Shalyn Romney Garrett. These adjacent issues include economic inequality, extreme partisanship and the diminishing sense that we are in this together.

David recently wrote an article entitled, "5 Ways To Build Bridging Social Capital & Develop a Sense of Common Purpose". During his discussion with Leah, David highlights the importance of developing young leaders committed to building inclusive communities and helping them develop the skills to do so. He also emphasizes the importance of building on various innovative community building initiatives to create a movement working for more connected, inclusive communities in order to strengthen our democracy for the long-term.

This SCI Cultivating Connections podcast episode explores how a local farmers market can build community. Guest Fred Yen discusses his journey and involvement in the Winchester Farmers Market and related community initiatives. He shares how his passion for community building and social justice led to the market's inception, inspired by his experience at a vibrant market in Switzerland. The Winchester Farmers Market, which started in 2008, aims to support local farmers, the environment, and serve as an incubator for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Fred highlights the market's role in fostering community connections and supporting various initiatives, including food security programs like the Gardens for Good. The market also serves as a neutral, welcoming space where people can gather, interact, and participate in various cultural and community activities. Fred encourages people to get involved, emphasizing the market's inclusive and community-driven nature.

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, host David Crowley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh, the founder of Joint Family, a social initiative aimed at bridging generational gaps to address pressing social issues.

Dia explains the core principles of Joint Family, which include community engagement, collaborative learning, civic deliberation, and collective action. Through programs that unite diverse age groups, Joint Family leverages technology to empower participants to develop impactful solutions for local challenges, such as mental health, climate preparedness, and social isolation.

Dia shares her unique journey from being a computational biologist at the Broad Institute to launching Joint Family, inspired by her upbringing and experiences during the pandemic. She highlights the initiative's focus on fostering intergenerational connections, particularly through workshops that encourage thoughtful discussions on technology's societal impact. Dia emphasizes the importance of creating trust and community resilience in the digital age, and she provides insights into the positive feedback and evolving perspectives from participants in Joint Family's programs.

The episode also includes a preview of an upcoming workshop on AI and mental health, co-hosted with the Leaders for an Equitable Tomorrow program operated by SCI and the Network for Social Justice.

In this episode of Cultivating Connections, host David Crowley engages in a lively conversation with Gail O'Rourke, a seasoned entrepreneur and the driving force behind the innovative mobile application, Benefact4.

Drawing from her rich entrepreneurial journey in cabinetmaking and construction, Gail shares insights into her transition into the tech industry and the inspiration behind Benefact4. With a deep commitment to philanthropy and a passion for bringing people together, Gail describes how Benefact4 serves as a powerful tool for tracking and viewing the collective impact of volunteer work. Through real-time updates and a social component, the app fosters a sense of community and highlights the value of each contribution of time and money.

In episode 5 of the Cultivating Connections podcast from SCI, host David Crowley talks with Ayele Shakur, President of the Redstone Family Foundation.

Ayele talks about how she centers relationship building in her work. Throughout her career, she has focused on helping young people develop the social capital they need to flourish in school and beyond. Ayele also describes how she prioritizes intentional relationship building in her work to develop partnerships to support young people and address issues of racism and antisemitism.

We also learn in this way how a friend encouraged her to try teaching, launching a career in education. Tune into the episode to learn what Ayele initially planned to do after graduation from Boston University, and about what she has learned in her journey to ignite the potential of youth from underserved communities.

In this Cultivating Connections podcast episode, guest Guy Ben-Aharon joins host David Crowley to discuss the mission and unique approach of "The Jar," an organization fostering connections among diverse Bostonians through shared cultural experiences. The jar's unique Convener Model™ model, encourages participants to bring diverse groups together to share art, food, and conversation.

Guy emphasizes the importance of intentional relationship-building and creating inclusive spaces, aiming to combat segregation often found in cultural institutions. He shares stories of transformative experiences and invites listeners to engage in upcoming events to take personal actions toward positive change in their communities.