👉🏾Families United Peer Support Group meets virtually Sunday, July 20th 6:30p-8p

Families United hosts a monthly virtual session on the 3rd Sunday of every month to hold space for those of us impacted by DCF.

Whether you are a parent that has had DCF involvement, a person who has had loved ones involved with DCF, or a person who had involvement as a child or youth, this group is for you.

Come join us to participate in collective healing where you share your experience and feelings with people who get it.

📩 To register email: familiesunited@therootsjc.org

📞 Or call: (802) 451-0468

👉🏾Black Men of Southern Vermont: In-Person Gathering – July 19

Brothers, let’s come together. Join us!

We’re gathering in person on

📅 Saturday, July 19

🕞 3:30–5:30 PM

📍 The Root – 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro

🌟 Please note: The virtual session normally scheduled for July 5 is cancelled due to the holiday weekend.

This group is created by and for Black men (18+) looking for a space to heal, connect, learn, and grow. Engage in conversations about the Black male experience, share in the strength and solidarity of an all-Black space, and engage in movement building. Through mentorship and peer support, this group fosters personal development and collective empowerment in a supportive environment.

📩 Questions? Email BTN@therootsjc.org

📖 BIPOC Writers Group – Join Us Virtually on Thursday, 7/17! ✍🏿

Looking for a welcoming space to share your writing and connect with fellow BIPOC creatives? Join us Thursday, February 20th, for an evening of storytelling, feedback, and inspiration!

📍 Where? Online – join from anywhere!

🔗 Join us on Google Meet: tinyurl.com/rootwriters

⏰ When? 5:30 – 7:30 PM EST

Come as you are—whether you're working on a novel, poetry, or journaling, all levels are welcome! Let’s grow together in a creative, supportive environment designed for and by BIPOC voices.

🎉 Celebrate Root Co-Founder Angela Berkfield’s Birthday and Legacy with us! A FUNdraiser supporting The Black Youth Scholarship Fund!

All are welcome to mingle, dance 💃🏾 and celebrate our dear Angela with us!

Come share a meal 🍽️ (bring a dish if you can!), enjoy the grill, dance to good music 🎶, and connect with community 🤝🏾. Learn about The Black Youth Scholarship and how you can contribute to its continued impact.

When: Saturday June 21st, 5pm–8pm
Where: Kiwanis Shelter at Living Memorial Park (Memorial Park Upper Loop Trail, West Brattleboro)

Learn more about The Black Youth Scholarship Fund at therootsjc.org/black-youth-scholarship

About the event

The Angela Berkfield Birthday Party and Black Youth Scholarship FUNdraiser Kickoff is to bring awareness and support for The Black Youth Scholarship Fund, (which will begin in 2026) while celebrating the birthday of our late Angela Berkfield. Angela’s Birthday is June 27, she would have been 48 years old.

The plans are to have an annual event to raise funds for the next year’s round of scholarships. Any money collected will go to the scholarship fund and planning of next year’s event. Since this is a kick off this year’s event will look different.

Next year the plans are to have the scholarships given out at this event. We plan to have live music, and possibly catered food with a ticketed event, with no one turned away.

What to expect this year

• Event will happen rain or shine

• There will be a car to bring folks up the hill if needed

• This is a potluck event

• The Root will provide grillable foods, drinks and dessert

• We will have the large speaker and be playing some of Angela’s favorite tunes

• Folks will eat, mingle and dance

• The Youth will present about The Scholarship

• Folks will be asked to get involved and sign up for committees if desired

• Folks will be asked to donate what they can

Memorial Park and its pool will be open from 1-6:30pm that day. Come swim and then join us for the celebration.

🐉 DnD Game Night Update — Youth & Adult Sessions at The Root!

Dear Adventurers,

We’re excited to share some updates about Dungeons & Dragons Game Night at The Root!

Starting this summer, we will be offering two back-to-back sessions every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month as part of our Healing in Practice (HIP) programming:

🧒🏽👦🏼👧🏾 Youth Session starting Sunday June 15th (Then meeting July 20th, August 3rd and every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month after that)

4:00 – 5:30 PM (For ages 12–17)

The Youth DnD session will continue as usual, focused on centering the creativity and community-building needs of younger players.

👩🏻👨🏾🧑🏽 Adult Session starting Sunday August 3rd (and every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month after that)

5:30 – 7:00 PM (For ages 18+)

The Adult DnD session invites older and more experienced players to dive into deeper roleplay, complex character development, and collaborative world-building.

*WE ARE LOOKING FOR A DUNGEON MASTER (DM) FOR THE ADULT SESSIONS! Please reach out to us if you are interested!

For more information contact HIP@therootsjc.org

#TheRootSocialJusticeCenter #DungeonsAndDragons #HealingInPractice

Soul Food Sunday is excited to join Out in the Open at their Annual Pride Family Potluck in June!

Date: Saturday June 14th
Time: 12-3pm
Where: SUSU Community Farm 94 River Rd, Newfane VT

In place of our regularly scheduled SFS gatherings on the 2nd Sunday of the month, we're going to meet a week later on SATURDAY June 14th from 1-3pm in support of our amazing community partners, OITO and SUSU. Join with other LGBTQ+ people, families, parents, and kids, and allies (of all ages!) and celebrate our rural LGBTQ+ community together!

Visit: https://www.weareoutintheopen.org/our-programs
for more information and volunteer!

PRIDE FAMILY POTLUCK, hosted by Out in the Open, in collaboration with The Root Social Justice Center & SUSU CommUNITY Farm is back again!

Join with other LGBTQ+ people, families, parents, and kids (of all ages!) and celebrate our rural LGBTQ+ community together!

We'll be at our friends Susu CommUNITY Farm in Newfane this year!

OITO will provide fruit, soft drinks, hot dogs (meat, turkey, and tofu), buns, chips, plates, napkins, cutlery, and condiments.

The Root will provide limited catering by Vegan A.F 

Please bring a dish to share, if you can, or just bring yourself!

This gathering will be outside with family friendly games!

Folks are welcome to wear masks (we'll also have some on-hand) anywhere and everywhere. If you have COVID or are not feeling well, please stay home.

Click here to volunteer!

Families United Movement Building Group

Families United hosts a monthly virtual session to help change the DCF foster care system. Many who are familiar, know that the DCF system is broken. If you want to be a part of making the system better for children, youth and families, come join us.

Meets virtually Sunday May 11th 6:30p–8p

(and every 2nd Sunday of every month)

To register email familiesunited@therootsjc.org call (802) 451-0468

Black Men of Southern Vermont meets VIRTUALLY THIS SATURDAYJUNE 7TH! 🖤💻

🔗 Virtual Link: tinyurl.com/BlackMenSoVT

This sanctuary is dedicated to Black men (18+) looking for a space to heal, connect, learn, and grow. Engage in conversations about the Black male experience, share in the strength and solidarity of an all-Black space, and engage in movement building. 🧘🏾‍♂️🗣️ Through mentorship and peer support, this group fosters personal development and collective empowerment in a supportive environment. ✊🏾

MEETS VIRTUALLY

Saturday June 7th 3:30p–5:30P (and every 1st Saturday of the month)

Virtual Link: tinyurl.com/BlackMenSoVT

For more information contact BTN@therootsjc.org

Help us spread the word! Let’s build a strong community of Black men in Southern Vermont—strengthen our bonds, uplift each other, and build a powerful community together. Join us! 🤝🏾🔥

Black Men of Southern Vermont also meets in person this month:

Saturday June 21st 3:30p–5:30P (and every 3rd Saturday of the month) At The Root: 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro, VT 📍

Save the date!

Y4C is a hosting another teen dance!!!. There will be uncensored music, free pizza snacks and beverages, etc.

This dance is for youth of all identities ages 14-18. We want to especially invite BIPOC, disabled, queer and trans youth.

Mark your calendars and more details will come soon!!

Saturday, May 16
7:00-10:00pm

28 Williams St 05301