Turning Neighbors Into Changemakers with ServeNatick
Cultivating Connections Podcast
Release Date: 03/24/2025
Working Together for Long-Term Change
Cultivating Connections Podcast
Turahn Dorsey joins the Cultivating Connections podcast to discuss his extensive work in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to promote economic mobility and equity. He outlines the Eastern Bank Foundation’s mission to bridge gaps in prosperity by investing in small business ecosystems, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Rahn notes their long term investments in areas where sustained commitment is necessary to address deep-rooted inequities. Rahn also discusses Eastern Bank’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)...
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Advancing Equitable Education for All Boston Students
Cultivating Connections Podcast
Marinell Rousmaniere, CEO of EdVestors, discusses the work of this Boston-based nonprofit focused on systemic improvements in public education. EdVestors works on arts education, math education, and career pathways for secondary school students. The organization emphasizes racial equity and highlights success stories through initiatives like the "School on the Move Prize," which recognizes Boston public schools demonstrating significant improvement. Throughout the conversation, Marinell underscores the importance of collective efforts in tackling challenges within public education systems,...
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Turning Neighbors Into Changemakers with ServeNatick
Cultivating Connections Podcast
is a new initiative to inspire meaningful service and community engagement, turning neighbors into changemakers. Kabir Anand, ServeNatick’s co-founder and president, joins the Cultivating Connections podcast to share how the initiative started and how it has evolved. The project began as part of a competition hosted by their school, as the co-founders worked to build a website to inspire youth involvement in the community. After initial feedback, the team spent the summer refining their concept and officially launched in August 2023. ServeNatick's primary goal is to connect volunteers with...
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SCI Rising Idealist Nominations and 2024 Winner Jean Dolin
Cultivating Connections Podcast
SCI is seeking nominations for the 2025 SCI Rising Idealist Award! With the nomination deadline approaching, Cultivating Connections podcast host, SCI President David Crowley, reminds listeners of the deadline. That announcement is followed by a rebroadcast of the conversation with the 2024 SCI Rising Idealist Recipient, Jean Dolin. Jean is the Founder & President of the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of History, Art, and Culture, and an SCI AmeriCorps alumni. Jean shares about his project and his passion for building community and making a difference through the arts.
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Promoting Community Joy and Well-Being in East Boston
Cultivating Connections Podcast
In this episode, guest Justin Pasquariello shares about why he puts community joy at the center of his work. Justin talks about the importance of social connection as one of the five pillars of joy, and how this framework for promoting joy is woven throughout the work of the East Boston Social Centers. He also shares about how his career, including starting Silver Line Mentoring in 2001, is informed by his personal experiences growing up. Justin talks about the innovative approaches to service delivery and community building at the 100 year old social service organization. This...
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Supporting Community Resilience and Collaboration with Liberty Mutual
Cultivating Connections Podcast
In this episode, guests Katrina Shaw and Lindsay Mason engage in a thoughtful discussion about the community-focused initiatives of Liberty Mutual. They begin by sharing personal stories that shaped their commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism. The conversation then transitions to the mission of the Liberty Mutual Foundation, which aims to advance security and resilience for vulnerable communities. Katrina elaborates on the foundation's focus areas, including workforce development, youth homelessness, and climate change initiatives. She highlights a recent project called Impact...
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The Power of Relationships in Philanthropy & Educational Access with George Greenidge
Cultivating Connections Podcast
This Cultivating Connections podcast episode features a rich conversation with George “Chip” Greenidge, Jr., a veteran in philanthropy, education and nonprofit leadership. He shares his insights on the importance of mentoring, his passion for higher education access and promoting racial justice. The discussion with host David Crowley begins with a reflection on their long-standing relationship, spanning over two decades, and the early days of George’s career at the Boston Foundation. George shares his thoughts on the evolution of philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of personal...
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Partnerships and Mentoring for Boston Youth with Pedro Cruz
Cultivating Connections Podcast
This episode of the features Pedro Cruz, the Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) for the City of Boston. Pedro shares his inspiring journey into youth work, rooted in his experiences growing up in the Boston’s Villa Victoria community. He emphasizes the importance of relationships and community spaces that shaped his path, reflecting on how early jobs at local community centers ignited his passion for youth development. Pedro highlights the significance of mentorship in his own journey, and the importance of providing Boston youth with mentors today....
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Bridging Divides through National Service
Cultivating Connections Podcast
In the latest episode of the , guests Jennifer Leshnower and Tony Lucero engage in an informative discussion about "bridging work” intended to bring people of diverse views and backgrounds together. The conversation centers on how national service programs like AmeriCorps can serve as platforms for building connections across diverse communities. Tony articulates that bridging involves coming together across divides to foster understanding, collaboration, and dialogue. He emphasizes that national service provides a unique opportunity to cultivate these skills, particularly in a society...
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The Connective Tissue Framework for Regenerating Social Connection
Cultivating Connections Podcast
This podcast episode features a deep dive into the Connective Tissue framework for increasing social connection, with its author Sam Pressler. The framework includes recommendations as to what policymakers and others can do at federal, state and local levels to increase social connections. The Connective Tissue site is organized into four major categories: 1) Foundational Changes; 2) Community Institutions; 3) Life Transitions and 4) Enabling Conditions. During the conversation, Sam addresses the broader societal trends contributing to social disconnection. He identifies several key...
info_outlineServeNatick is a new initiative to inspire meaningful service and community engagement, turning neighbors into changemakers. Kabir Anand, ServeNatick’s co-founder and president, joins the Cultivating Connections podcast to share how the initiative started and how it has evolved. The project began as part of a competition hosted by their school, as the co-founders worked to build a website to inspire youth involvement in the community. After initial feedback, the team spent the summer refining their concept and officially launched in August 2023. ServeNatick's primary goal is to connect volunteers with organizations that need them, fostering community engagement across various sectors including environmental projects, literacy programs, and health initiatives.
The conversation then shifts to discuss the upcoming Natick Impact Collaborative (NIC) event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 2nd, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Natick High School auditorium. This inaugural event aims to inspire attendees to take action in their communities, featuring four speakers from diverse backgrounds in community engagement. The event will also include a panel discussion with five panelists and an audience Q&A session, designed to explore various community-based topics and ways for people to get involved in community service beyond traditional methods.