Interfaith America Grant to Expand Bridge-Building Dialogue in Grinnell Community

Ryan Solomon, associate director of civic innovation and education and the Listening Project team, is celebrating a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to foster conversations across differences within the Grinnell community. Solomon and the Listening Project team, which includes both Grinnell community members and Grinnell College students, have been awarded a $3,850 grant from Interfaith America's Bridging the Gap program. 

Since spring 2023, they have been actively engaged in bridge-building dialogue initiatives at Grinnell College, involving students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader Grinnell community. The work has garnered recognition for its commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect. 

The grant from Interfaith America's Bridging the Gap (BTG) program will enable Solomon and the Listening Project team to further enrich their project by integrating the BTG skills curriculum. This integration is poised to enhance the effectiveness of the dialogue sessions and deepen connections among participants. 

While Solomon's leadership has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward, it's essential to recognize that this endeavor is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders within the Grinnell community. This grant serves as a testament to the ongoing dedication to serving the common good and promoting harmony amidst diversity.  

Listening Project Team member and Grinnell Community member Deb Burnell Montgomery shared, “The Listening Project is important to me because I have a huge amount of love and pride for the community of Grinnell, where I was born and raised. It has been neat to see other perspectives from different people and learn that we really are more alike than we are different in so many ways, no matter where we are from or how we grew up. I love having the opportunity to meet and communicate with others in the same community as me that I may not have otherwise without this project. Learning to listen to others with intention and also feel heard is important. I have learned so much from being part of this group!”  

Please join Grinnell in congratulating the Listening Project Advisory Board on this well-deserved recognition and commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding within the Grinnell community. This work exemplifies the values of collaboration and inclusivity that define our shared aspirations for a better tomorrow.