UPDATE
End of Year Celebration: Name Change Updates and Community Conversation
To our beloved Community,
It is with brave and vulnerable hearts that we write to share an update with you. We were hopeful that we might be able to share a new name with you at our event tomorrow. In the thick of an intense decision-making journey, we are realizing that we rushed a decision to meet a deadline, and shifted us out of alignment with this process, with community, with ourselves. GRP Staff spoke too soon with the anticipation of a new name to announce, and we take responsibility for that.
Mel’s sister always says that “Leadership is not having the answers all the time. Leadership is being able to prepare your community for change.” We are trying to listen deeply to those words in this moment.
We know that in the face of the unknown, and all that is challenging and unresolved, that true leadership means coming to you in our full humanity, and being transparent with you about the questions, knowing that we may not have all the answers, and trusting that it’s okay.
It’s reaching back to you when we find ourselves stuck in strategies, or difficult dynamics, and asking for your support in discernment, and community care.
We’re still having tomorrow’s event, so you can hear more from staff, doulas and youth about where we are in the process, and for you to ask questions and to share what matters to you as we keep moving forward. We will get to eat, create and dance together. We’ll get to watch Part I of the Documentary and celebrate this beautiful, buoyant, wild journey.
It has been really hard on staff and board to be away from the community, our most sacred constellation, for the past two years. We’ve felt isolated and far from the marrow and magic of our work together, so it’s important to us to keep the opportunity to gather in community, and hear more from you about how to move forward into 2022.
Thank you for reminding us that there is healing and power in being our full, candid, imperfect, radiant, beautiful selves. Thank you for reminding us that the act of being together has always been our collective superpower. Thank you for simply being with us tomorrow.
With love, gratitude, eternal starfishes,
GRP Staff
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HOLY MOLY, OUR YEAR OF TRANSITIONS IS COMING TO A CLOSE!
After many months of inquiry, exploration, feedback, and processing, it’s a wrap on 2021, Transitions, and our Name Change Decision Process. It’s official... We’re inviting you to our Year-End Celebration, and the Announcement of our NEW NAME!
We want you to know: choosing our new name is a decision, but it’s also a beginning: we are inviting celebration, mourning and most importantly, curiosity as we lean into the next phase! With space for questions, creativity, a screening of our documentary Part 1 and room for your ideas about our next steps, we are so looking forward to centering our Joy and Vision for -fka- GRP FUTURES in 2022!
We hope you’ll join us as we honor our history, and share our excitement about all that’s to come! As always, we’ll close out with a Dance Party! This will be an indoor/outdoor event, so plan to dress for a bonfire dance party!
Not sure if you can join in person? Stay tuned for info about live streaming the event!
WHERE:
Maas Building
1320 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(This courtyard entrance is at the back of the Maas Building)
Wheelchair accessible entrance at 1325 N Randolph. Press “Maas Office” for entry.
WHEN:
Saturday, December 11th - 6:30-8:30
**Please note that this date has changed**
ACCESSIBILITY:
Parking: Street parking (free, unmetered)
Public transit:
15-minute walk from MFL - Girard Stop
5-minute walk from 47 bus
Wheelchair accessible
Gender-neutral bathrooms
The Maas Building has indoor and outdoor spaces available, and we plan on using both. We’ll have a fire pit and space heaters rolling, but please dress for December weather! Feel free to get as fancy as you’d like.
Childcare and transportation stipends available if requested - please indicate on your RSVP
There will be light snacks and drink available
Read our COVID Safety Protocol HERE