This reflection was written by Grassroots Fund Program Manager, Naja Grasty.
As the Shared Gifting Cohorts Manager, I get to witness deep social bonds and networks that are being built by the Boston Climate Cohort. In a world with so much division and turmoil, it is refreshing to be in such a warm and welcoming space whether we are meeting virtually or in-person. Through this cohort year, we were able to craft the framework to look at climate resilience and community based solutions through an intersectional approach. This cohort year was grounded in the pillars of Climate Resilience. Through these pillars, the cohort is continuing to make connections on how climate resilience and solutions can show up in our communities. For this cohort year Shared Gifting Circle, we continued the practice of solidarity over sacrifice while making sure groups' needs were met in the Shared Gifting process. I always enjoy seeing the diversity of projects all the cohort members are embarking on: from community seed-shares to youth development efforts. I love seeing how the Boston Climate Cohort meeting allows for a space for insightful reflection and mutual understanding.
This year in May, we closed out the cohort year with a third neighborhood gathering hosted by Vanny Hout and Revere Youth in Action (RYIA) in Revere, Massachusetts. In this gathering, cohort members and I learned the importance of community storytelling in a training led by cohort facilitator Maria Elena. This gathering also included a tour of the Shirley Ave neighborhood that shared the importance of the neighborhood as a site for community building within the Khmer community of Revere. Vanny guided us through the Shirley Ave neighborhood of Revere while sharing stories of the resilience of the Khmer community. This tour showed us all the importance of intergenerational storytelling and community power. We were able to meet a community member Mr.Leng, and see his lush urban garden and hear about his story as a Khmer refugee. He showed us all some of his different gardening techniques such as composting. A story that stuck with me from the gathering was the story of Mr.Leng’s persimmon tree. He shared that after a hard winter, one of his trees adapted from a male to female tree. Now this tree flowers and bears fruit every season. To me, this story served as a lesson for the resilience of nature and how to shift and transform during challenges. During lunch, we were able to share a meal of Khmer foods while also deepening our relationships with each other. We are all able to walk away with our own supreme sunflower plants given to us by Mr.Leng. We are now able to plant our own seeds from the lessons and wisdom shared during our gathering in Revere. I am very excited to see how the comradery and passion of the Boston Climate Cohort continues to grow in this next cohort year.
