So long as the Gandhi Institute remains anchored by the steadfast support of our neighbors, volunteers, donors, and partners, we will remain a resource embedded within the community and deliver stability, guidance, food, food for thought, and hope no matter how strong the winds of change may blow.
Renewal
The dramatic shift from winter to spring always invigorates me. Winter’s quiet stillness gives way to spring’s dynamic energy, stirring something deep in my soul and signaling rebirth, renewal, and reinvention. My birthday, at the beginning of March, further fuels this cyclical surge of physical, mental, and spiritual activity. During this transition period, I usually begin to shed restrictive habits and outmoded perspectives and embrace new growth, aligning myself with the transformative power of nature. As the world around me changes, I take stock of my place within it and re-evaluate my priorities and purpose to understand how best to allocate my personal resources of time, energy, and focus.
I am currently performing a similar assessment concerning the work of the Gandhi Institute. These are gut-check times. The environment in which we operate is radically changing. Being that the United States of America has entered into an existential crisis marked by unprecedented political upheaval and a sustained attempt at the wholesale reordering of societal norms through the systematic sewing of chaos, my thoughts at this moment are focused on how best to support our most vulnerable community members. Because in real-time – right now – those community members are being terrorized, hunted, and body snatched by an administration gone rogue.
One fundamental axiom of peace work is that Justice and Peace are intrinsically linked: where there is no justice, there can be no peace! So, given the resources under our control, what is the most impactful work that we at the Gandhi Institute can do in these turbulent times?
Reflection
Sometimes – and I believe this is one of those times – in the face of persecution or oppression, simply remaining in existence, unbowed and without compromise, can have a revolutionary impact. The Gandhi Institute’s doors are open, and we continue to welcome our Beloved Community members inside. Ours is a safe, brave space. Join us to regain your bearings as we navigate shifting sands. Join us to grieve the hardships and losses that we individually and collectively endure. Join us in purposeful action as we continue to “build a new society from the shell of the old;” an empowering, affirmative process and mindset that Gandhi called “Constructive Program.” Join us as we mobilize with like-minded collaborators to confront and challenge racism, xenophobia, gender-based violence, and state-sanctioned kidnapping and murder.
The Gandhi Institute has a proud history of fostering nonviolence, sustainability, and justice.
We have:
- worked with Rochester schools to implement restorative practices.
- partnered with the local judiciary to formally embrace restorative justice.
- engaged with the Department of Corrections to bring nonviolence to the regional prisons for over a decade.
- held Grief Circles and Community Roundtables to promote healing and organizing.
- facilitated leadership training for youth and adults.
- supported students in need through mediation.
- offered workshops on conflict de-escalation, mindfulness, cultural humility, Kingian Nonviolence, and Nonviolent Communication.
- provided steadfast administrative and material support for grassroots community organizations focused on feeding and clothing impoverished neighbors.
- delivered our fresh produce to local community members for years.
- made our meditation room, meeting spaces, grounds, and gardens are continuously available to our community.
These and other efforts have always been rooted in the principles of compassion, love, and belief in the transformative power of human connection.
More on The Gandhi Institute’s Impact
Education and Training: The Institute has extensively trained youth and adults in nonviolence education, restorative practices, and related skills. Since 2015, they have trained over 30,000 youth and adults and conducted over 38,000 student conversations. Workshops cover a range of topics, including de-escalation, dialogues on masculinity and violence, BIPOC support spaces, grief circles, and Kingian Nonviolence training. They also partner with Rochester City School District (RCSD), supporting student conversations and school conflicts.
Community Engagement: The Institute actively engages with the community through various events and initiatives. This includes community dinners, garden work parties, and an annual open house. They also host service-learning opportunities for multiple groups, including university students. The “Community Roundtables” series aims to facilitate dialogue, build community, and address local issues.
Partnerships and Collaborations: The Gandhi Institute collaborates with numerous organizations, including the University of Rochester, Rochester City School District, and various community groups. These partnerships allow the institute to expand its reach and impact. The institute has a long history of supporting the University of Rochester community, including workshops, service-learning opportunities, and support for students and staff.
Restorative Practices: The Institute promotes and implements restorative practices in various settings, including schools and the community. It partners with Rochester City School District to support restorative practices in schools and has facilitated restorative circles in response to bias-related incidents.
Sustainability: The Institute emphasizes sustainability, including maintaining a community garden and exploring environmentally sustainable systems for their facilities.
Anti-Racism Work: The Institute is involved in anti-racism work, including internal work, supporting other organizations, and facilitating restorative circles and mediation for racialized incidents. It also conducts “Conversations on Race.”
Nonviolence in Prison: The Institute collaborates with Attica and Groveland Prisons, engaging approximately 1,900 participants in the Season for Nonviolence and prison dialogues since 2018.
Youth Empowerment: The Institute runs the Youth Healing Hate Project, which provides grants to young people for their initiatives.
Action
Looking ahead, we must honor this legacy while recognizing the need to adapt. Our small but mighty team is continuously learning and growing. We are expanding online learning resources, refining our core workshop materials, and actively creating cross-training and partnership opportunities to maximize our collective impact. We are helping community members organize for mass change and equipping them with the skills and tools to support those who are experiencing disenfranchisement, despair, and direct harm.
As long as the Gandhi Institute remains anchored by the steadfast support of our neighbors, volunteers, donors, and partners, we will remain a resource embedded within the community and deliver stability, guidance, food, food for thought, and hope no matter how strong the winds of change may blow.
So I’m asking you to join us. Let’s rise together, stronger than the challenges we face, to build a better future!
