June 2025 Edition: Collective Healing & Resilience
“We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about, survival and growth.”
-Audre Lorde
Welcome to the First Edition of the Repairing Together Advocacy Newsletter!
Saludos, it is Angelique here! How are you? I mean, like really—there is so much going on every moment of every day. Nervous systems are being worn thin, coping mechanisms are activated. At times, it seems that hopelessness is having the last word. And the capacity for being able to hold complexity is contracted. Whew!
And yet—and yet—the amount of sacred beauty to be found in the big and small ways we are taking care of each other during these times is, well—the most beautiful expression of our shared humanity. This is where I find glimmers of hope and beauty that fill my cup and hold me through the tougher moments. I hope and pray you are finding this too—hope in the cracks.
The only way forward is together, each of us doing our part and our piece. Recognizing that each offering, each action, will look different for each person. From the person who is tending the children to the one who is making art—it is all the work of repairing, even in the roughest of times. We need all of us to do our part—we are the change we seek!
We here at NCJW Pittsburgh want to come into your inbox with that which offers collective care, collective power, and action. Repairing Together is a monthly offering from NCJW Pittsburgh’s team—a reminder that none of us are in this work alone. Each edition is a practice in Tikkun Yachad—repairing the world together—where we center care, wield our collective power, and move boldly toward justice.
Here, you’ll find nourishment for your spirit and your activism:
Collective Care to sustain you
Collective Power to keep us rooted in the impact we’re making
Collective Action to channel your hope into tangible steps
We’re building something sacred here. And we’re grateful you’ve chosen to be part of it.
Let’s continue to repair, together.
With heart,
Angelique Rivera (She/Her)
Advocacy Manager
NCJW Pittsburgh Team
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It is said our heart's energy reaches about three feet outside of the physical body and can be detected in another person sitting nearby via an electrocardiogram (ECG). As we continue to watch, or experience the heartbreaking things going on tools it is imperative that we have tools to bring us back to center. Below is a short practice to help us ground in these times.
Hand to Heart, Feet to Earth
When the weight feels heavy, pause.
Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly.
Breathe deeply.
Feel your feet rooted in the earth—solid, supported.
Whisper: “I carry healing. I am not alone. We rise together.”A simple practice to return to your body—and to our collective strength.
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Resource Highlight:
Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Intersections of Movements
Edited by Cara Page & Erica WoodlandRooted in Black, Indigenous, and queer traditions, this anthology is a blueprint for how we build movements that center healing, dignity, and collective care. It offers tools, stories, and wisdom that are especially vital for those on the frontlines of Reproductive Justice—where the fight for bodily autonomy is also a fight for safety, wholeness, and liberation.
For those tending to justice, grief, and joy—this is your balm and your compass.
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Reflection Question:
What helps you remember that healing is not a solo journey—and where do you feel held in community?
*Optional: We’d love to hear and share your responses in our newsletter anonymously or with attribution. This is how we fill each other’s hope cup! Send your answer to arivera@ncjwpgh.org
“Deep breathing, checking in with my own body. I was feeling very anxious and it was healing to hear others share their own feelings.”
Strength in Community
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At NCJW-Pgh, we believe that a strong democracy is an inclusive democracy where everyone has the opportunity and support to fully participate. We believe that engaging young people early - when they become eligible to register, and to vote - is one important and effective way to foster lifelong civic engagement. In addition, right now with mistrust and misinformation rampant, and growing distrust of our electoral system, we want to ensure that young people are accurately informed both about the voting process and what is at stake in elections, from the very local to the federal level, so they are prepared, informed, and excited when they become eligible to vote.
“Vae’Sean at UPrep said he appreciated “getting to analyze and understand the mayor and the mayoral candidates.”
That’s why this spring, working with PA Youth Vote, The Civics Center, League of Women Voters, The Black Political Empowerment Project, and Women and Girls Foundation as part of the Allegheny Youth Vote Coalition - and with Pittsburgh Public Schools, together we launched a program that brought the Pittsburgh mayoral candidates into the schools to engage the entire senior classes of all nine PPS high schools at seven events.
”Rayell at UPrep learned “...don’t overthink, be who you are and just be great . Because you can be the change in your community.”
The idea came from a student at a workshop earlier this year led by coalition partner PA Youth Vote, who asked "why don't the candidates come to us?" The coalition agreed, and with the opportunity that local elections provide for connecting more directly with the candidates, we got to work to make it happen.
“Orli at Obama Academy said, “This made it very clear to me that students want to be involved and at these events!”
In keeping with our previous Allegheny Youth Vote coalition programs, these candidate interviews were student-led. Coalition partners provided training and support for student leaders who solicited input from their peers to craft questions to ask the candidates, and students moderated and facilitated the interviews. All four mayoral candidates were invited to each interview, with at least two candidates attending each of the seven interviews. The student leaders also led a lively trivia game where their peers in the audience answered questions about voting and primary elections for prizes (and learned some key information in the process!)
“A highlight for Kennedy at Obama Academy was “Trying something new because I’ve never spoken publicly like that before. Also it was an amazing experience.”
We were fortunate to work with an amazing group of teen leaders who worked hard to develop their questions, and hone their speaking and facilitation skills. We had great support from Pittsburgh Public Schools, particularly the Student Voice program, and from each of the school’s faculty and staff - from teachers, to principals, to custodians.
“Daniella at Carrick High School said the experience “made me more interested in politics and electing the best fit for Pittsburgh.”
Recognizing that the students are the people most impacted by those who are ultimately elected to the school board, we held a culminating “Meet the PPS School Board Candidates” Community Huddle on May 7 to provide an opportunity for students to connect directly with the school board, and hear their positions on the issues they and their peers care about. Seven of the nine candidates for PPS school board joined the event to answer questions that were developed, again, by student leaders at this student-moderated event. You can view the forum video here.
“Jakob at Allderdice reported “I think that it encouraged more kids to vote for sure.”
NCJW-Pgh will be working to support our coalition partners in engaging students in school-based voter registration drives through graduation, especially as, since PA allows for pre-registration, the vast majority of high school seniors are now eligible to register.
“Brooklyn at Carrick High School said “This experience impacted my feelings about the electoral process positively. Through the candidates' answers I got to have my own idea of them and their thought process.”
We are already starting work with our partners and leaders to plan our fall program - stay tuned!
Read more about this program:
In Pittsburgh, candidates face their future voters, part of a national effort to engage the young
Students at Westinghouse Academy hold mayoral youth forum ahead of primary elections
Pittsburgh students quiz mayoral candidates on public safety, immigration at youth-led forum
“Laurel at CAPA said “...everyone left knowing something that they didn’t know before and I hope it inspired people to vote in mid year elections when maybe they wouldn’t have before.”
Rachel Martin Golman; she/her
Sr Director of Social Impact
“Lucy at Obama Academy said, “This experience made me even more impassioned to vote. And influenced me to do more research into all of the local elections.”
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One of the things that comes up again and again in the Working Moms Support Group session is a desire for more connection and community. It’s in that spirit that we hosted our second Working Moms Playdate Picnic on June 6th at Wightman Park.
"I love the working mom support group and have recruited multiple friends to join! Having a space of like-minded women with reliable child care and dinner. Taking the guesswork out of it for one night is wonderful."
All working moms and their kiddos were invited to join us for an evening of fun and friendship! These events are an opportunity to grow the Moms Work community as well as strengthen the connections that are made in the support group. Our next playdate will be planned for this summer!
Heather Visnesky She/Her
Community Engagement Manager
“Having a space to be heard, feel supported, laugh (and cry), and acknowledge how difficult motherhood can be is incredible. I was looking for ways to branch out and feel more connected to my community during my maternity leave and beyond. While it was my first time attending this group, it certainly won’t be my last! This is such an essential service for mothers of all kinds.”
Take a Stand
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Family Care Act
NCJW Pittsburgh has been an active partner in the Family Care Act Coalition, which includes organizations all across the Commonwealth. This coalition is tirelessly working to secure Paid Family Leave for all Pennsylvanians, and we are closer to getting this legislation passed than ever!
The Family Care Act recognizes something we already know to be true: family takes care of family. By establishing a paid family medical leave insurance fund in Pennsylvania, the Family Care Act:
Allows family members to provide critical care and rehab services to elderly loved ones at home, without risking their jobs and financial security.
Grants parents the ability to care for their son or daughter who is recovering from a serious illness.
Allows workers to care for themselves following a major surgery.
Grants new moms and dads the chance to be there for the critical period following the birth or adoption of a child.
Family Care Coalition member Children First, in collaboration with Osage Research, polled in March more than 700 likely voters in Pennsylvania. The survey found that 81% support paid leave, and that includes 67% of GOP voters. This data confirms that an overwhelming majority of registered PA voters support this legislation.
Help us to get this law on the books, and show your support here. Have a few more minutes? Add your personal story of how paid leave would have impacted your life. This is the year with get paid family leave for all Pennsylvanians!
Heather Visnesky
Community Engagement Manager
“Sometimes entering these spaces where you need to be vulnerable & open can feel either silly or intimidating. But facing that together creates closeness, connection, and urgency toward a shared purpose. ”
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Children's clothing and accessories sizes 0 months - 14 years are free every day Thriftique is open. Simply choose the items that you can use, and take them to the register to be counted. This program is completely free and open to everyone. Please help us get the word out about Free Kids Clothing!
If you have children's items in good condition to donate, we would love to take them off your hands! We are also always looking for folks to volunteer a few hours of their time to process donations, sort, and hang them. The more help we have, the more families we can serve. If you are interested in volunteering with the Free Kids Clothing program at Thriftique, email Heather at hvisnesky@ncjwpgh.org.
Thriftique Essentials Voucher Program
For over a decade, NCJW Pittsburgh has offered direct support to the community through our clothing voucher program, originally intended to help women who were in financial transition and entering or re-entering the workforce in need of business attire.
The current iteration of the program is called Thriftique Essentials and has expanded to provide clothing, shoes and accessories, furniture, linens, small appliances, and housewares to recipients. The program operates in partnership with area organizations and agencies providing direct services to our Pittsburgh neighbors. This year, we have partnered with 18 area non-profits to distribute the vouchers.
This month, we are highlighting our partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh! Dress for Success Pittsburgh signed on as a Thriftique Essentials partner this year. Their mission is to empower women and nonbinary people across the region to enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence. They provide professional attire, career development, and a supportive community to help women thrive in their careers.
Dress for Success Pittsburgh envisions a world where women live free from poverty, are treated with dignity and respect, and contribute to the growth of their families and communities. Their impact extends across Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties.
Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s mission is in perfect alignment with the spirit of Thriftique Essentials, and we are so grateful to count them among our wonderful partner organizations!
What’s Next?
Join us for our next Tikkun Yachad Event: Collective Healing & Resilience. Come and refresh and connect with others locally.
Tuesday, July 1st from 6:15-8:30 pm
We’d love to here from you! How are you navigating the times, how are you taking action and where are you finding joy? Email to arivera@ncjwpgh.org and with your permission we can share it anonymously or with attribution just let us know. It reminds us we are not alone in this.
Refresh!
Don’t forget to take action on supporting the FCA Bill (here).
Amplify Free Kids Clothing Program at Thriftique, it is such a great program.
Join us for Tikkun Yachad Event: Collective Healing & Resilience and be refreshed!
