NEXT MEETING - SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS AND ZOOM LINK
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Note that an equivalent contribution of volunteer service in a Working Group, for example, can be made in lieu of the monetary payment.
Note that an equivalent contribution of volunteer service in a Working Group, for example, can be made in lieu of the monetary payment.
Stay Updated with Bridges Project Community News
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Next Bridges Project General Meeting
Saturday, March 6th starting at 10am
via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83956777433
Speakers: Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken and OPD Major Tara Woods
via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83956777433
Speakers: Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken and OPD Major Tara Woods
Check out our calendar!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A New Year Letter from the President
Hello Members, Patrons & Allies,
Happy New Year! As we move forward in our new world of less physical contact, our visual world is constantly expanding. With this expansion comes the exposure of the many underlying concerns of this country.
We all witnessed a deeply painful moment in our history unfold on January 6th when insurrectionists trampled on our democracy by vandalizing our Capitol while congressional meetings were in session. We watched as our representatives and their staffs hid in closets and cubbyholes in fear for their lives. I can only imagine what would have unfolded had the insurrectionists been non-white. They would not have been escorted out with no immediate arrests nor allowed to vacate the premise at their own pace. It was shameful to see how long it took additional security forces to arrive and quell the disturbance. Now we wait for justice and a real conversation about the part race played in this action.
It was all about race as we watched “white privilege on steroids” per Paul Butler, former prosecutor, and current law professor of Georgetown University Law Center. I can’t help but remember reading a quote from President Abraham Lincoln during all of this - “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
We at Bridges Project Ocala/Marion County will continue the fight to shed light on the racial injustices that underlie most of the services afforded us on a daily basis. We want to hear from the community on how we might move closer to embracing truth and democracy, all while not infringing on anyone’s freedoms, but protecting all voices. There is work to be done and we all must vow to participate in some way to get to a better place in this country.
We hope you will join us in 2021 to celebrate a new world with so much potential.
A Bert Perkins, President
Bridges Project of Ocala/Marion County
Happy New Year! As we move forward in our new world of less physical contact, our visual world is constantly expanding. With this expansion comes the exposure of the many underlying concerns of this country.
We all witnessed a deeply painful moment in our history unfold on January 6th when insurrectionists trampled on our democracy by vandalizing our Capitol while congressional meetings were in session. We watched as our representatives and their staffs hid in closets and cubbyholes in fear for their lives. I can only imagine what would have unfolded had the insurrectionists been non-white. They would not have been escorted out with no immediate arrests nor allowed to vacate the premise at their own pace. It was shameful to see how long it took additional security forces to arrive and quell the disturbance. Now we wait for justice and a real conversation about the part race played in this action.
It was all about race as we watched “white privilege on steroids” per Paul Butler, former prosecutor, and current law professor of Georgetown University Law Center. I can’t help but remember reading a quote from President Abraham Lincoln during all of this - “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
We at Bridges Project Ocala/Marion County will continue the fight to shed light on the racial injustices that underlie most of the services afforded us on a daily basis. We want to hear from the community on how we might move closer to embracing truth and democracy, all while not infringing on anyone’s freedoms, but protecting all voices. There is work to be done and we all must vow to participate in some way to get to a better place in this country.
We hope you will join us in 2021 to celebrate a new world with so much potential.
A Bert Perkins, President
Bridges Project of Ocala/Marion County
BRIDGES PROJECT ESSAY CONTEST - PRIZES!
Bridges Project sponsors its annual Essay Contest for middle- and high-school students once again in 2021. There are generous gift card awards available for winners.
Click the link below - PDF icon - to download the Entry Form and all the info.
See how you can engage this year's question which focuses on the January 6th storming of the Capitol by violent protesters.
Click the link below - PDF icon - to download the Entry Form and all the info.
See how you can engage this year's question which focuses on the January 6th storming of the Capitol by violent protesters.
| essaycontestentryform2021.pdf |
UPDATE: Bridges Our Story Project
BRIDGES OUR STORY PROJECT- to share the Bridges story / history and to help connect the community with us for the 5th year anniversary celebration:
Our Story Project Meeting - Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30 pm
ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87267450778
- Continue to forward your 1-page story with jpg photo to: Cynthia Moody<at>moodyc@cf.edu
- Continue to send thoughts-concerns-feedback directly to Rev. Peggy - revpeggyh<at>yahoo.com as she continues to assign specific tasks ongoing as we wrap up this project soon.
- Reach out to Cindy Grimes regarding video interviews grimes194<at>aol.com
Our Story Project Meeting - Tuesday, March 16th at 6:30 pm
ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87267450778
Marion County Public Library System is Offering Curbside Services!
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Bridges Project of Ocala/Marion County, Inc. FL DACS Charitable Registration Lic. No. CH-47496
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free from within the state 800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or calling from outside of Florida (850) 410-3800. Click here for the department's website. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free from within the state 800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or calling from outside of Florida (850) 410-3800. Click here for the department's website. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.