As a part of our RE·Imagine blog, we want to highlight the wonderful people who we work with, and who make the work possible. Facilitator of the Month is a series dedicated to shine light on all of our per diem staff and supporters, and the work that they do both inside and outside of RE·Center.

Meet Ashley, a dedicated change maker and local community organizer who has just celebrated her first year working with RE·Center! Ashley first got involved with RE·Center last spring, as a Residential Diversity Counselor for our final season of Discovery Camp in Woodstock CT.  Since then, Ashley has continued to help us facilitating programs in local schools and will be a retreat counselor for our new Equity Teams for Positive School Change Retreat happening at the end of the month.

When asked why Ashley got involved with RE·Center, Ashley highlighted the importance of representation and connecting with the youth of color. “…There was a position for a counselor role to talk to kids about race, equity, their identities and how they show up in the world. [I remember] wishing I had something like that when I was in the 6th grade.” Ashley reflected on her experience working with the youth thus far, stressing how we can learn from the youth as much as we’re teaching them.

When Ashley isn’t working with RE·Center, she stays busy. She is an active and committed Hartford community member, that can easily be found at town hall meetings, standing in solidarity at rallies, supporting local artists, designing jewelry,  or anywhere celebrating her community.

“I got into the real work in 2015, in reaction to taking care of my community… Initially it was about understanding that black and brown folk always have burdens on their backs. In addition to everything else, (i.e. dealing with racism) they need the essentials, like food, shelter, diapers, clothes. Now it’s so much more- Being able to fill and alleviate some of that pain and tension, and systemic oppression is what I strive to do.”

In addition to all of that and a bag of chips- Ashley is also a full time organizer for CT Citizen Action Group, a statewide advocacy organization, and a part of an artist collective called A Seat at Our Table. She also works with CTCORE, an organization that is dedicated to dismantling systemic and structural racism in the state of Connecticut. Ashley’s dedication to the movement and building an equitable and just world is unrelenting; we’re grateful to have a change maker like her a part of RE·Center.

RE·Imagine

In the spirit of reimagining an equitable and just world, we asked Ashley what she’s currently reimagining for her community:

“I am reimagining the way we communicate and interact with each other. There are robust conversations happening all over regarding equity and breaking down systems- let’s have more of that. Physical touch is coming back – if you’re comfortable- let’s have more hugs.”

Thank you, Ashley. We see you and look forward to continuing to collaborate with you.