Holding Hope: How can we navigate uncertain times and cultivate resilient communities?

What is Holding Hope?

Social, environmental, economic, and political crises have created human societies in crisis. This can lead us to feel grief, despair, and loss, which in turn can make us feel stuck and unable to create change. What keeps us resilient in these uncertain times? So many people have had no choice but to be resilient, some people don't know if they are resilient, and some people do not know what resilient really means.

In the words of Vanessa Machado de Oliveira Andreotti, “instead of drowning in hopelessness, how can we learn to face our reality with humility and accountability?” How can we learn to feel our emotions in a healthy way? What skills do we need to feel empowered to take action? How can we collaborate to make change in our community?

Join our listserv

We are building on the momentum from Holding Hope to boost events, gatherings, and opportunities that build resilience. If you're interested in joining our 75-person listserv to stay connected and share opportunities, please email Jen Kleindienst at jkleindienst@wesleyan.edu. This listserv is open to all.

Summer 2025

We are hosting montly community potlucks in Summer 2025 to bring together people wanting to build community. All are welcome! Please come when you can, bring a dish to share if you’re able, and tell a friend!

The next Holding Hope Community Potluck will be Thursday, June 12 5:30-7:30 on the patio behind Fisk Hall (262 Court St.). There is a large tent on the patio so we can meet rain or shine. Parking is available on-street on High or College Streets or in the parking lot behind the building off College Street.

Spring 2025

In March 2025, Holding Hope cosponsored the Middletown Government Participation Guide launch workshop at Russell Library and a Mental Health First Aid Training class sponsored by Gilead Community Services. 

Fall 2024

We held a 2-day workshop series in October 2024, cosponsored by The Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, Wesleyan Sustainability Office, Center for the Arts, ARTFARM, and CNTR, open to all in the Middletown area. Participants of all ages were invited to share, listen, and discover how our community - young and seasoned alike - have stayed centered and hopeful. Together, we explored, broke bread, discussed, and learned from each other's valuable gifts of resiliency. Each participant took home tools and resources to build a “toolkit” to support their efforts to stay centered, resilient, and connected as individuals and a broader community.