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Wayland Comes Together for Special Workshop to Build Unity and Address Common Concerns

Posted on: April 9, 2024 - 11:40am
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Wayland Comes Together for Special Workshop to Build Unity and Address Common Concerns

WAYLAND, MA -To foster stronger community ties and address community concerns, the Town of Wayland invites everyone who lives, works or worships in Wayland, or is part of the school community, to the SPIRIT of Community Interactive Workshop. The workshop, open to adults and high school students, will take place at Wayland High School on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Refreshments and a light dinner will be served.

The SPIRIT of Community workshop will bring together a wide range of community members and leaders to collectively identify, prioritize and begin to tackle issues facing the Town. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in small group discussions and problem-solving sessions through a brainstorming process where everyone’s voice is heard.

"This first-ever community-building gathering for the town is exciting," says Mary Ann Borkowski, one of the workshop’s organizers. “We hope people in the community will share our enthusiasm for making the town a place where everyone feels they belong and have a voice."

The workshop, sponsored by the Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (HRDEIC) and the Wayland Select Board, will be guided by the Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice. Drawing from the Community Relations Service’s SPIRIT (Site Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together) model, the workshop will empower participants to address local concerns effectively and collectively.

Feedback from SPIRIT workshop participants in other communities has been overwhelmingly positive, with remarks such as “valuable use of my time,” "great process!"  and “wish we had an hour more.”

As Select Board member Anne Brensley notes, "This workshop provides a platform for residents to contribute their ideas and perspectives toward making Wayland a better place for all.  It aims to ensure everyone feels valued and heard, and that should be a primary goal of any community."

Registration for the workshop is required. Organizers encourage community members to register today at tinyurl.com/2024WaylandSPIRIT and extend the invitation to others. Information about the workshop can be found here. Questions? Contact SPIRITquestions@wayland.ma.us.

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