On The Ground Grand Rapids invites you to help us celebrate the incredible work being done by the residents, advocates and other leaders in the Burton Heights and Garfield Park neighborhoods during a community conversation this Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Dear Readers, residents, community organizers, and allies,
On The Ground Grand Rapids invites you to help us celebrate the residents, advocates and other leaders, and the incredible work they're doing, in the Burton Heights and Garfield Park neighborhoods during a community conversation this Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The theme of our conversation is: "SHOWING UP -- What Allies Can Learn from Garfield Park & Burton Heights." We will be elaborating on the ways leaders of these communities are taking steps to empower one another, address and overcome barriers, and advocate on behalf of their neighborhoods.
The event will begin with an overview of the neighborhood, including its history, boundaries, and demographic information. Following this presentation, a panel of community leaders, including educators, activists and stakeholders, will be discussing ways they are SHOWING UP to their communities as allies, activists, educators, and network connectors.
We’d love for you to join us on Tuesday, Dec. 6th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to help learn more about how you can be a part of this movement of allyship to help empower your neighborhoods and communities.
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Agenda
5:00-5:30pm - Get to know your neighbors!
5:30-6:00pm - What is On The Ground? What have we learned?
6:00-6:30pm - Panel discussion
6:30-6:45pm - Questions and feedback
Where
Korean Grace Christian Reformed Church, 1970 Jefferson Avenue SE
Parking is available on site.
Who
Our panel will include the following leaders from Burton Heights & Garfield Park Neighborhoods: Jin Lee, kindergarten teacher at Dickinson Elementary School and a representative of Health Intervention Services (which is changing its name to Exalta Health); Ricardo Tavarez, a longtime neighborhood resident and the pastor of En Vivo Church; and Mike Otis, a community stakeholder and property owner in the area. The panel will be moderated by Mariano Avila, a local journalist who has made a career of bringing voices from the margins to those who need to hear them.
RSVP on our Eventbrite page. We look forward to seeing you there.
To learn more about Rapid Growth's On The Ground series, please go here.
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