On Wednesday evening at LabCentral, Cambridge community members gathered to explore social cohesion through Mark Ostow’s photography and a conversation with local changemakers who are making good in our city.
VP of Programs and Grantmaking Christina Turner shared insights on CCF’s strategy to reduce economic disparities and strengthen community bonds. “Economic mobility and social cohesion are two pillars of our strategic plan. It’s about understanding how we can support the work to build community bonds that allow people to think and act together.”
The panel showcased diverse approaches to building these bonds. Associate Director of CEOC, Rachel Plummer described CEOC’s innovative food pantry network, including their new neighbor advisory council. “They’re paid for their time to give us advice and feedback about how the food pantries can be doing better,” Plummer said. “We bring impacted people in to hear their voices directly, and value their real expertise.”
For LEAS LAB Co-founder and Associate Director of Ignite Uzochi Erlingsson at LabCentral’s Career Forge program, social cohesion means creating biotech opportunities for underrepresented students. “We support them to be part of this community. We teach them the skills they need to feel like they belong,” she explained.
Dancer Marissa Molinar approaches belonging through art. “It’s not about watering things down. It’s about having more exposure and really opening the doors to everyone to feel like they have a place to belong,” she shared, describing her work making contemporary dance accessible.
Emmanuel Mervil builds community through free barbecues, and his organization Everybody Gotta Eat. “I started the barbecue to bring the community together,” he said. “I noticed how food brought us all together…and I realized, ‘I gotta keep this going.’”
Cambridge photographer Mark Ostow, whose work provided a powerful backdrop to these stories, reflected on documenting Cambridge’s community spirit: “When we started off the project, I think our goal was to just find social cohesion in Cambridge. And it turned out it was everywhere… I never knew that CCF had their hand in so many nonprofits. And, I had no idea there were even that many nonprofits in the city. It was just eye opening for me, how much work is being done.”
Through their stories and Ostow’s compelling images, the evening demonstrated how social cohesion grows from many seeds: shared meals, artistic expression, educational opportunity, and neighbors helping neighbors.
We’re incredibly grateful to LabCentral for their partnership in realizing this event and hosting the panel discussion and celebration. The LabCentral team are active agents working for social cohesion in our community.
Learn more about CCF’s strategic plan, focused on social cohesion.
Image: audience members and panelists at the LabCentral panel discussion.
