Our Alliances
Building Bridges in Brookhaven is a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations seeking to cultivate friendships and alliances among the diverse communities of Brookhaven Town. Since our inception, we’ve come together through meetings, events and workshops to listen and learn from one another. We celebrate and support efforts that encourage unity on Long Island.
Below is a list of many of those organizations with representatives who participate in our network, as well as those who have graciously educated us about their beliefs, shared their experiences and/or highlighted the work they are doing to improve the lives of others.
The congregation of Bethel AME Church has been at the center of Setauket's Native and African American community for over 170 years. It is also the birthplace of Building Bridges in Brookhaven, with its former Pastor Leonard being one BBB’s cofounders.
Located in Centereach, this community farm was designed to provide produce to local food pantries. The cooperative gardening project has grown to over five acres and donates on an average of 30,000 lbs. of fresh, organically grown produce to several local food pantries and soup kitchens. The vision of the Bethel Hobbs Community Farm is to restore the land to its original use, create a permanent retreat and education center on site, and honor the legacy of Hobbs Family who founded the farm.
Brookhaven Landfill Action and Remediation Group (BLARG)
This is a group committed to exposing, stopping and rectifying the harm caused by the Brookhaven Landfill.
Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area
The Club offers programs that impact the lives of local children and teens in vital areas such as academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. These programs and activities help youth thrive and put them on a path to a great future.
Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding
The Center for Social Justice and Human Understanding features the Holocaust Collection (CSJHU). Its mission is to educate the community on historical events, and to promote cultural understanding and respect for human dignity.
Conscience Bay Friends Meeting House
Religious Society of Friends has stressed the conviction that a Light resides within every person, which some of us may call “God” or “Spirit” or “Jesus” or “unknowable.” In the silence of their Quaker meeting, they wait upon this deep and powerful force, sharing through prayer and meditation; some may be moved to speak. They meet both in the meetinghouse and via Zoom for blended worship.
Herstory Writers Workshop is a place where activists and storytellers meet.
Hope Children’s Fund provides for the physical and emotional needs of some of the most vulnerable AIDS affected orphans who were living on the streets of Meru, Kenya. HCF’s goal is to furnish the food, clothing, shelter and medical care that will enable these children to be enrolled in local schools.
KO Cares promotes the growth, development and well-being of youth, adults and families through programs and services that strengthen communities in the Coram, New York area. KO Cares also strives to serve some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities by generating interest, awareness and an understanding of the issues they face.
MCS attracts people of diverse cultures to meet in our Diversity Listening Circles where each person shares in turn on a given question, entirely uninterrupted, confidentially, and solely from personal experience and emotions. The rest of us listen deeply and time is given before and after the process for less structured conversation for relating, invited feedback and clarifications, and time for regular conversation for socializing, networking, and laughter. If you are interested in joining, email multiculturalsolidarity@gmail.com.
The North Country Peace Group is a peace and social justice organization made up of concerned citizens from Setauket and neighboring communities. Its members have been “standing for peace and justice” on the south corner of Route 25A and Bennetts Road in Setauket, since December 2002.
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is uniting people across New York State to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism.
Open Door Exchange connects donated furniture to individuals and families in need at no cost. We accept donated furnishings from our local community and display them in our Port Jefferson Station warehouse.
Pax Christi Long Island and Long Island Rotary Peace Pole Project
A local initiative to plant 100 Peace Poles on Long Island, involve youth groups in planting as much as possible, and to have ten cities on LI become “International Cities of Peace.”
PPP is a grassroots network dedicated to nurturing a culture of peace among local residents through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Efforts include facilitating dialogue between diverse groups to identify shared values and principles, teaching conflict management and other proven peacebuilding skills, and much more.
Plus 1 Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to getting out the vote and creating a democracy that is more representative of its people. Through on the ground organizing and digital campaigning, Plus 1 Vote are mobilizing voters to urge someone else to vote.
This grassroots Latina immigrant organization provides legal assistance, leadership training, education, and more. For over 25 years SEPA Mujer has been building the power, influence, and capacity of Latina immigrants to shape our local communities and create a Long Island-wide voice for the safety and dignity of all people.
Setauket Presbyterian Church Peace and Justice Committee
Setauket Presbyterian Church practices an open-minded faith that embraces spiritual growth and learning. Their Peace and Justice Committee involves the church in caring service to the local community, the nation, and the world. Some of their programs include the Welcome Friends Soup Kitchen (which serves dinner to the needy six (6) nights a week), the Open Door Exchange (a furniture ministry), Bread for the World (dedicated to ending hunger through public advocacy) and many other efforts.
South Country Peace Group
South Country Peace Group, Inc. (SCPG) was founded in 1982 in response to escalating threats of global nuclear destruction. Through annual public events, core activities and collaboration with other peace and justice groups, SCPG advocates and lobbies to stop the arms trade, cut the arms budget and redirect resources to the environment and human needs.
Turkish Cultural Center of Long Island
The Center aspires to share facets of Turkish culture with the community at large while also creating a culture that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation and productivity among people who are diverse.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook Social Action Committee
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook is a religious community that seeks diversity, individual spiritual growth, and social and economic justice. Grounded in their Unitarian-Universalist Principles, the Social Action Committee of the UUFSB supports and encourages their congregation to act for positive change at local, national, and global levels through service, education, witness and advocacy. Committee members are volunteering at community farms to supply local food pantries, supporting young people’s efforts to help the homeless, collaborating with other religious organizations to design programs that respond to hate and bring all people together on Long Island and so much more.
What BETTER Looks Like fosters the development of beloved community by helping individuals imagine, articulate and create visions for a better world.