Kristina Becvar is the Chief Operating Officer of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
Kara Revel Jarzynski is the Executive Director of Resolutionaries.
In a world increasingly characterized by division and polarization, it is with great enthusiasm that we bring you exciting news of a new partnership between the Bridge Alliance Education Fund and Resolutionaries. Together, our organizations are embarking on a crucial mission to promote the Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA) and inspire citizens to actively engage with their representatives, advocating for the passage of this vital legislation.
The BCBA, introduced in 2022 by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) with 23 additional bipartisan co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and by Christopher Coons (D-DE) and Benjamin Sasse (R-NE) in the Senate, is set to take center stage again this September 2023 with the goal of being reintroduced in both chambers. While it may not have become law during the 117th Congress, the vision and importance of the BCBA have not waned. On the contrary, the need for this legislation has only grown more urgent as our society grapples with issues of polarization, partisanship, and social fragmentation.
So, what exactly does the BCBA entail? At its core, the bill seeks to establish an Office of Civic Bridge-building within AmeriCorps, the federal volunteer program. This office would play a pivotal role in overseeing a grant program designed to support civic bridge-building initiatives across the nation. These programs have a singular focus: fostering meaningful connections across lines of difference, be it political affiliation, race, ethnicity, or religion. By encouraging empathy, understanding, and dialogue, the BCBA aims to bridge divides and build a stronger, more cohesive society.
One of the key elements of the BCBA is providing support for training AmeriCorps members in the essential skills of civic bridge-building. These skilled individuals will act as catalysts, driving positive change in their communities and helping to build bridges between disparate groups. Moreover, the bill emphasizes the significance of research on civic bridge-building, civic engagement, and social cohesion. By supporting such research, we can better understand the challenges we face and tailor our efforts effectively toward a civil democracy.
This summer, we urge every citizen to take an active role in shaping their future by reaching out to their respective members of Congress. Let your voice be heard, show your support, or provide valuable feedback on the BCBA. On the Resolutionaries website, you will find a wealth of comprehensive information about the act, as well as a user-friendly advocacy tool that empowers you to connect easily with your representative.
It's essential to recognize that Bridge Alliance and Resolutionaries are not alone in their support of the BCBA. A coalition of organizations, including Civic Genius, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, InterFaith America, Issue One, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and the Listen First Coalition is firmly behind this important legislation. Together, they stand as a testament to the significance of the cause and the necessity for unity in pursuing it.
We extend an open invitation to all readers to join us in supporting and promoting this pivotal legislation. If you have any questions or seek more information, please mark an essential date in your calendar, August 16th at 2 pm ET, for an informative session with the Resolutionaries and Bridge Alliance Education Fund team. The event promises to be enlightening and engaging, offering valuable insights into the BCBA and its impact on our society. Register today by clicking here.
What Is It To You?
As part of a collaboration between The Fulcrum's NextGen initiative and Made By Us, The Fulcrum is publishing Letters to America, a series created through the Youth250 project that invites Gen Z to reflect on the nation’s past, present, and future as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
Dear America,
Oftentimes, we find ourselves at the crossroads of me or we. This presents the age-old question that has been asked countless times: What is it to you?
It is indisputable that, as a result of the pandemic, we have become more individualistic as a society. We should be a country where there are different understandings, but a shared identity of compassion and acceptance of differences. While the age-old question is individualistic, perhaps we can extend it to be collective.
What is it to you when your neighbor is hurting and suffering under the weight of life? What is it to you when the government implicates civil rights and freedoms, irrespective of political party? What is it to you when policies negatively impact the least among us?
As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, let us look back as we look forward. It is only when we ask questions in the collective on how we act as human beings and how the government asserts power that we rise to be the shining city on the hill.
The following is my request: check on one another, even amid troubling times across multiple areas of society. Together, we can overcome our own weaknesses, character flaws, and blind spots, so that the sun may never stop shining over our nation, our country, and our home.
Carlos David Gamez, 23, Lakeland, FL