December Community Roundtable
2025-12-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Register to join the December Roundtable here!
The December Community Roundtable will be on Saturday, December 20 at 11 AM. We will chat about community issues that are on our hearts and minds.
In a time when online echo chambers deepen division and disconnection, coming together face-to-face is more important than ever. The Community Roundtables offer a space to share perspectives, make sense of what’s happening in the world, and remain connected to one another.

About the Community Roundtables Series:
This series will be at the Gandhi Institute on the third Saturday of each month at 11 AM – 1 PM EST.
Each session will focus on open dialogue or specific topics that matter to the Rochester community—some selected by Gandhi Institute staff and others chosen by participants based on pressing issues and events. Through open conversation, we cultivate understanding and plant the seeds for collective action—whether by strengthening existing efforts or inspiring new initiatives. Join us as we listen, reflect, and build a more connected community.

New Year Grief Circle
2026-01-01 16:00 - 17:00 | NY
Join the Circle.
Our online grief circle is a biweekly gathering to honor the pain and sorrow that comes from living in a complicated world. It is a place for listening and presence, not for advice or judgment.
Every kind of grief, big or small, is welcome. Whether it’s sorrow from personal loss, burnout from the work you do, or a heavy heart for the state of the world, all of your grief is welcome here.
As Joanna Macy reminds us, “The most important thing to do is to be with your pain, and not to deny it. In doing that, you’re not alone.”
We’ll meet biweekly on Thursdays, from 4-5 pm ET on Zoom between September 18th and January 29th, 2026.

Upcoming Dates:
Jan. 1, 15, & 29

Breaking Through: A Men’s Support Group
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:30 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Join us for Breaking Through, a Men’s support group exploring masculinity, self-forgiveness, and healing for men who have been in abusive, toxic, and unhealthy relationships.
Join our first session on Saturday, January 10, 2026!
Location & Time:
MK Gandhi Institute
929 S. Plymouth Ave, 14608
10:00 am – 11:30 am

Embodying Nonviolent Communication
2026-01-15 17:30 - 19:30 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Click HERE to register for Embodying Nonviolent Communication!

In a time when meaningful connection can feel both vital and difficult, Nonviolent Communication offers a pathway to engage with ourselves and others with more clarity, compassion, and courage. Over 5-weeks, join us for Embodying Nonviolent Communication on Thursdays, from January 15 – February 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm EST.
Together, we will explore Nonviolent Communication through thought, speech, and embodied practices to deepen connection and strengthen our capacity to build communities where everyone can thrive.

On Pricing:
To make our events accessible, we’ve created a sliding scale, donation-based model starting at $20. We’re committed to making our workshops accessible to everyone.
No one will be turned away for a lack of funds, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to: katie@mkgi.org
We deeply appreciate your choice to support our programs in a way that aligns with you, helping us continue to offer valuable learning opportunities to our community.

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - January 10
2026-01-27 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Register to join the Creative Cafe’s here!
Creativity & Connection meet nonviolence at our Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafes! These gatherings invite you to slow down, create, and connect with others as we explore the Season’s daily values through artmaking and community reflection. Each session begins with a value from the Season, but how you interpret or express it is entirely up to you collage, drawing, poetry, crocheting, journaling, or simply being in community.
Whether you come every time or drop in when you can, you’re welcome here. Come as you are, no crafting experience or prior knowledge of nonviolence needed.
About the Season for Nonviolence:
The Season for Nonviolence marks the 64 days between the anniversaries of the deaths of Mohandas Gandhi (January 30) and Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4). People around the world use this period to reflect on the principles of nonviolence and to practice them with intention. Our Creative Cafés offer a hands-on way to engage with the Season through crafting, connection, and community.

2026 Creative Cafe Dates:
Tuesdays at 5:30 PM. Last Cafe will be Thursday at 5:30 PM.

January 27

February 10

February 24

March 10

March 24

Last Cafe: Thursday, April 2

All sessions will be held at the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence (929 S. Plymouth Ave)
Questions? Email jonathon@mkgi.org

January Community Dinner
2026-01-28 18:00 - 20:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Click HERE to RSVP for January Community Dinner
Dine with us on Wednesday, January 28 at the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence (929 South Plymouth Ave. Rochester, NY) at 6 PM. Join us for warm food and conversations! Bring a vegetarian dish if you would like to, but don’t worry, we’ll be cooking up a few of our own. Everyone is welcome.

Don’t miss our Community Dinner’s on the last Wednesday of the month at 6 PM EST.

Let us know that you are bringing dishes or snacks by emailing katie@gandhiinstitute.org

Listening as an Act of Love
2026-02-02 17:30 - 19:30 | NY
Click HERE to REGISTER for Listening as an Act of Love!

How often do we truly listen—to ourselves, to others, to the world around us?
In a time of noise & pain, listening is a radical act of love.
Let’s explore the difference between performative and active listening, reflect on our inner dialogue, and practice deep listening with one another.
Through guided activities, thoughtful writing, and meaningful discussions, we’ll take the steps needed to truly listen to one another with presence and care.
Join us for Listening as an Act of Love on Zoom.
On pricing:
We host events on a sliding scale economy to be more accessible and prevent finances from prohibiting learning, engagement, and opportunity to create a better world.
Our three suggested prices are $0, $20, and $40.
These prices reflect the cost for the institute to plan and facilitate the sessions. These are suggestions, so feel free to donate another amount that might fit your situation, and please add Listening as an Act of Love to the memo or notes.
We depend on our community to participate, inform, and partially fund our programming, so we truly appreciate your choice to support us in a way that aligns with you.

Questions? Email Alex at alex@mgki.org

February Breakfast Chat 2/10
2026-02-10 08:00 - 09:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Join our Executive Director for breakfast & conversation! Click HERE to REGISTER for February Breakfast Chat
Come to get to know us and talk about your part in supporting nonviolence in Rochester and beyond. Share breakfast with Erin Thompson, the Executive Director of the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Chat with us to learn more about the Institute’s programs and plans.Stay for some good breakfast, conversation, and company!

Dates:
Breakfast Chats will be on the second Tuesday of each month!
*All from 8 am – 9 am EST*

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - February 10
2026-02-10 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

February Grief Circle
2026-02-12 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-26 16:00 - 17:00 | NY
Register
Our online grief circle is a biweekly gathering to honor the pain and sorrow that comes from living in a complicated world. It is a place for listening and presence, not for advice or judgment.
Every kind of grief, big or small, is welcome. Whether it’s sorrow from personal loss, burnout from the work you do, or a heavy heart for the state of the world, all of your grief is welcome here.
As Joanna Macy reminds us, “The most important thing to do is to be with your pain, and not to deny it. In doing that, you’re not alone.”
Join the Circle.
We’ll meet biweekly on Thursdays, from 4-5 pm ET on Zoom between February 12 and June 18, 2026.

February Community Roundtable
2026-02-21 11:00 - 13:00 | NY
Click HERE to REGISTER for February Community Roundtable!
The February Community Roundtable will be on Saturday, February 21 at 11 AM! We will chat about community issues that are on our hearts and minds. Join us as we listen, reflect, and build a more connected community.

About the Series: The Community Roundtables offer a space to share perspectives, make sense of what’s happening in the world, and remain connected to one another. This series will be at the Gandhi Institute on the third Saturday of each month at 11 AM – 1 PM EST.

Each session will focus on open dialogue or specific topics that matter to the Rochester community—some selected by Gandhi Institute staff and others chosen by participants based on pressing issues and events. Through open conversation, we cultivate understanding and plant the seeds for collective action—whether by strengthening existing efforts or inspiring new initiatives.
Questions? Email Katie Thomas at katie@mkgi.org

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - February 24
2026-02-24 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

February Community Dinner: Celebrating Black History
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Click HERE to RSVP for February Community Dinner!
Join us for a community dinner on Wednesday, February 25 at 6 PM at the Gandhi Institute.
As we honor Black History Month, we’ll gather to explore the rich tapestry of Black history in Rochester and the vibrant communities that continue to shape our city today. This evening centers the principles of nonviolence alongside powerful stories of resistance, resilience, and triumph that define Rochester’s past and present.
Dinner will be at the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence (929 S. Plymouth Ave Rochester, NY 14608) at 6 PM EST. This is a potluck dinner! Please bring a vegan or vegetarian dish to share as we break bread together and build community through a shared meal.
Together, we celebrate the intersections of our diverse communities and the ongoing work of building a more just and equitable Rochester.
Questions? Email Katie Thomas (katie@mkgi.org)

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - March 10
2026-03-10 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

March Grief Circle
2026-03-12 16:00 - 17:00 | NY

March De-escalation Workshop
2026-03-14 13:00 - 16:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Click HERE to REGISTER for De-escalation Workshop!
Come practice skills to reduce violence and help keep each other safe!Join us on March 14th for a workshop for transforming conflict and de-escalating tense situations. Participants will work collaboratively to respond to conflict in ways that enable and promote safe outcomes. We welcome all community members to register!

On pricing:The Gandhi Institute often hosts events on a sliding scale economy to be more accessible and prevent finances from prohibiting learning, engagement, and opportunity to create a better world.
We depend on our community to participate, inform, and partially fund our programming, so we truly appreciate your choice to support us in a way that aligns with you.
Questions? Reach out to Jonathon at jonathon@mkgi.org

Book Group: Story Seeds
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:30 | NY
REGISTER

Let’s explore how simple spaces, like a garden or market, can become the heart of a community.
We are hosting a special online book group to discuss Story Seeds: Growing Home at the Farmers Market by Megan Lovely over 4 weeks.
Our goal is to use these stories as a catalyst for our own community building in Rochester. As author Megan Lovely notes, “this experience is for anyone seeking a deeper connection to the people and places they call home.”
Who should attend? People interested in:
Connecting: Meet others in the Rochester area interested in local food systems and community roots.
Reflecting: Share your own “story seeds” and how you see your community reflected in Megan’s work.
Growing: Help us sow the seeds for a more thriving, connected local community.
Let’s sow the seeds of a more connected Rochester!
On pricing:

The Gandhi Institute often hosts events on a sliding scale economy to be more accessible and prevent finances from prohibiting learning, engagement, and opportunity to create a better world.
We depend on our community to participate, inform, and partially fund our programming, so we truly appreciate your choice to support us in a way that aligns with you.

Kingian Nonviolence Series
2026-03-23 17:30 - 19:30 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Click HERE to REGISTER for Kingian Nonviolence!
Join us this Spring for a Kingian Nonviolence series at the Gandhi Institute (929 S. Plymouth Ave) on Mondays, March 23 – April 20 , from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.
Rooted in the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kingian Nonviolence is a philosophy and practice for transforming conflict and fostering justice. Jonathon and Katie will facilitate this space over an interactive 4 weeks of exploring the core principles and real-world applications of nonviolence.
Whether you’re new to Kingian Nonviolence or looking to deepen your understanding, this series offers a space to learn, reflect, and practice together.
Kingian Nonviolence sessions will be at 5:30 PM EST on the following Mondays:
March 23
March 30
April 6
April 13
April 20
On pricing:
We host events on a sliding scale economy to be more accessible and prevent finances from prohibiting learning, engagement, and opportunity to create a better world.
Our 3 suggested prices are $20, $100, and $200.
No one will be turned away for a lack of funds, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to: katie@gandhiinstitute.org
These prices reflect the cost for the institute to plan and facilitate the 4/ 2 hour sessions. These are suggestions, so feel free to donate another amount that might fit your situation, and please add Kingian Nonviolence to the memo or notes.
We depend on our community to participate, inform, and partially fund our programming, so we truly appreciate your choice to support us in a way that aligns with you.

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - March 24
2026-03-24 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

March Community Dinner
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Register to join March Community Dinner here!
Join us for a special March Community Dinner, rooted in the topic of Community Connection. We are so excited to be joined by Dr. Rashid Muhammad and Thomas Warfield. Dr. Muhammad, Director of Community Partnerships at JustCause, who brings more than 40 years of experience in leadership, community dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration. Thomas Warfield, a Rochester native and an international performing artist, has performed on stage, television, and film in more than 100 cities worldwide. Bring a dish and your appetite, all are welcome!
Let us know that you are bringing dishes or snacks by emailing katie@gandhiinstitute.org

March Grief Circle 3/26
2026-03-26 16:00 - 17:00 | NY

Garden Work Party!
2026-03-28 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-11 10:00 - 13:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Volunteer in the Gandhi Garden in our Garden Work Parties!
Drop by our community garden any time between 10:00 and 1:00 pm on Saturdays during the growing season (March 28 – November 7) to help us plant, tend, and harvest food and flowers with the community. We also are looking for volunteers who can help us pack and deliver produce bags for our neighbors. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Tools and gloves will be provided.
Please Note: If you are part of a student group, or using these hours for credit, scholarship requirements, etc. sign up for the Service Learning Volunteering.
If you want to volunteer on a day not listed, please email us to request a different date and time!
Email katie@gandhiinstitute.org for volunteer inquiries.

Season for Nonviolence Creative Cafe - April 2
2026-04-02 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

Garden Work Party
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States

Nonviolence Practice Group - April 7
2026-04-07 17:30 - 19:00 | M.K. Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14608, USA, Rochester, NY, 14608, United States
Register to join our Nonviolence Practice Group here!
Join us for this monthly practice space to embody your nonviolence skills, in community! Nonviolence Practice Group sessions will be monthly on the first Tuesday of each month. These sessions will be collectively-led, and completely based on group practice of nonviolent communication, conflict de-escalation and empathy.
Nonviolence Practice Groups will be on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm EST, at the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence (929 South Plymouth Avenue)
Questions? Email Katie Thomas, at katie@mkgi.org

April Grief Circle
2026-04-09 16:00 - 17:00 | NY
