Programs
Youth
Strong communities of tomorrow require cultivating the youth today. Our programming aims to help youth build the democratic skills necessary to serve as vehicles of change both now and in the future. All of our programs are motivated by the belief in the importance of supporting youth
themselves to be agents. They already have the passion and dreams—our role is to give them tools to amplify their voices and guide them in achieving their dreams
In 2023, thanks to a Cummings Foundation grant, we launched the Beverly Dialogue Youth Corps to train 12 youth, 8th-12th graders from primarily historically marginalized backgrounds, in dialogue design and facilitation. Monthly workshops teach youth how dialogue can be used as a form of civic engagement for collaborative change. Youth learn how power and privilege impact facilitation, how to keep centered when feeling triggered, and how to design a dialogue that ensures participants are able to listen with courage and curiosity to opposing views. We help youth choose their own topics for a dialogue that they co-facilitate in the month of May and we support them to invite community members of their choosing. Youth receive a stipend for their time spent in workshops and facilitating. In our second year and beyond, we are expanding the program by inviting several youth from the previous cohort to co-lead and mentor the next cohort.
“I had an amazing time learning about how to facilitate dialogues and learning about what dialogue can truly accomplish!” BDYC participant
“I think the Beverly Dialogue Youth Corp program is unique and powerful. It distinguishes Heathmere, especially given that it pays young people to participate.” Community partner
Community Conversations
“Heathmere has come to be a go-to organization for our community, powered by a relationship of trust and support. Our collaboration has created cross-racial facilitation for opportunities such as municipal committee and board trainings, as well as community-wide programming and events. With Heathmere, we know we’re getting deep impact and high-quality content that both challenges and strengthens our community!”–Jasmine Ramón, Director of Inclusion and Equity, Town of Danvers
“This was very informative and enjoyable. It is clear that a lot of thought went into the agenda and the format for tonight.” Community participant
“This Living Room Conversation helped me see how important it is to listen. Thank you for a wonderful program.” Community participant
“It was great to connect on a personal level with other community members and to learn their unique stories and experiences.” Community participant
“I’m so glad that conversations like these are happening in the town where I live and I’d like to look for more opportunities to connect with my neighbors at events like these.” Community participant
Race Amity
Martin Luther King Jr. insisted that we need to work to change not only laws but also hearts. Since 2019, as a co-sponsor and lead organizer of the annual Race Amity & Multicultural Festival North Shore, Heathmere has been working to change hearts. A national movement, Race Amity seeks to promote awareness around, and celebration of, historical and contemporary cross-racial friendships that have advanced racial justice and healing. Each year, Heathmere partners with local municipalities and leaders to host a celebrational and educational event featuring multi-racial professional performers, youth performers, a cross-racial friendship interview, and a multi-racial/ethnic youth panel. In addition to the festival, Heathmere also organizes screenings of, and facilitated dialogues on, the documentary, “An American Story: Race Amity and the Other Tradition.”
“What a great event! Every aspect of it was enlightening, inspirational and greatly furthered the cause for Race Amity. The African drumming and dancing, the singing, the presentations, the conversations were all totally enjoyable and educational. I am so happy that I was able to be there!” Race Amity participant
“What a wonderful event! Great job. It was awesome to meet great people and partake in meaningful and important discourse. I really appreciate the work you do, and was thrilled to be part of it.” Race Amity performer
