SOMA Schools invite community to come together through The SEED Project

MAPLEWOOD, NJ __ South Orange & Maplewood families are invited to grow and learn together as a community through the district’s new participation in The SEED Project.

The project is a peer-led program “designed to build a conversational community that fosters personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity and diversity,” said a note from the district sent Monday.

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“The SEED Project is an enriching experience where we come together to engage in meaningful conversations about our lives, the systems that shape them, and the world we share,” the letter said.

Monthly, in-person seminars will involve “personal reflection, sharing testimonies, listening to the voices of others, and learning together as a community.” Registration ends on Friday.

The sessions will be led by district educator-parents Kate Facto, Yves Hart, and Amanda Mazzarella on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

“By exploring our experiences and perspectives, we will deepen our understanding of systems of oppression, power, and privilege,” the letter said. “Together, we can work towards connecting our lives to one another and building a more inclusive society.”

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The first meeting takes place Wed. Oct. 23 at a location still to be determined.

“We believe that this opportunity will empower each of us to make a difference in our community. Your voice is essential, and we would be honored for you to join us on this journey,” the note said.

According to its website, SEED dates to 1987, when Peggy McIntosh, author of the paper "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" founded the project "to confirm her belief that teachers could be leaders of their own professional development." SEED originated and continues to operate at the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College. SEED partners with communities and groups, and offers trainings and resources bring "people together to learn through self reflection, build relationships through structured dialogue, and create change through systemic analysis."

For more information on the SEED project in SOMA or to sign up, please CLICK HERE .

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