Big Brothers/Big Sisters is an organization that connects children and teenagers who need extra attention with an older mentor with adults who have some time and energy to give to them. Neither social worker, parent or teacher, volunteers get to just hang out with their Little Brother or Sister, listen to them, play with them, take them out for pizza or the park.
Impact Bay Area teaches women how to fight heavily padded assailants using full impact, with kicks and strikes that target the assailants most vulnerable areas. It's challenging, supportive, and offers sessions on verbal boundary-setting and de-escalation as well as the opportunity to fight physically. I saw women of all ages, body types, and in all ranges of physical condition successfully fight off their attackers. Inspiring! I wish every woman and girl the world over could take this training.
My friend and colleague Masankho Banda is an African dancer, storyteller, ritualist and peacemaker. His mission is to create world peace through dance. He was honored by the Dalai Lama for his work with children.
Kehilla Synagogue is a Renewal Synagogue, joyously committed to social justice. Queer-friendly, diverse, ecstatic, thoughtful, and with incredible music. Rabbi David Cooper is a former labor lawyer who has reached out to the local Islamic community and does a lot of work to promote a peaceful and equitable solution to the problems of the Middle East.
Interplay is a spiritual practice, a way of creating art, a community-building tool, and much more. Check out this site for the latest on classes, workshops, books, and performances.
