Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"What we're witnessing wasn't a constitutional judgment, it was an exercise in raw political power. We cannot allow an out of control Supreme Court, working in conjunction with extremist elements of the Republican party, to take away freedoms and our personal autonomy."
President Joe Biden, on the striking down of Roe v. Wade

Dear {{recipient.first_name_or_friend}} --     
     Welcome to the week's Weekly Email Update, friends. Last week, we promised to provide abortion care resources, both local and national, for you to save and share with your circles and networks; the more information we have at our fingertips, the quicker that information can get to those who need it. The following organizations are by no means a comprehensive list, but they are a great place to start. 

Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom
https://www.vermontaccess.org
Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom provides financial assistance to help Vermonters pay for abortion through grassroots fundraising, working to equalize access and promote economic justice. To speak with someone about funding for an abortion, please call 802-371-0102.

Abortion Finder
https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-guides-by-state/abortion-in-vermont/providers
Different providers offer abortion through different pregnancy stages. Use our abortion provider search to find abortion care according to your specific location, age, and pregnancy stage or text “hello” to 435-334-6337. You can also browse the general list of Vermont abortion providers using the link above. 

Abortion On Demand
https://abortionondemand.org/states/vermont/
Abortion by mail on a massive scale.
AOD gets abortion pills to people who need them as quickly and safely as possible. With over two decades of collective experience in medically complex abortion care, our team knows that being pro-choice means supporting ALL the safe methods by which pregnant people choose to access abortion.
Telemedicine utilizes technology that is not yet accessible to everyone everywhere, so we built our platform to donate back to in-person clinics doing this sacred work.

SexEtc: For Teens, By Teens
https://sexetc.org/states/vermont/
Sex, Etc. is on a mission to improve teen sexual health across the country! Each year, five million young people visit Sexetc.org, and over 45,000 read our magazine to get honest and accurate sexual health information. We’ve helped teens with answers to their question about sex, relationships, pregnancy, STDs, birth control, sexual orientation and more!

Know Your Rights: The Office of the Vermont Attorney General
https://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2022/06/30/know-your-reproductive-rights-in-vermont/
The info in in the link above is intended to answer questions about your legal rights in Vermont. You should talk to a health care provider about questions regarding your reproductive health, including whether and when you can safely terminate your pregnancy.
Exercise caution when speaking with a new health care provider or searching online for health information. Do not share your personal health information except with a trusted provider.

Please take note: Some organizations may be nefarious in nature, masquerading as pregnancy centers when, in reality, they are pro-life centers. Take Care Net, for example. It runs Branches Pregnancy Center in Brattleboro (one of a few they operate here in VT) which looks like, at first glance, a post-abortion resource center. When Googled, you learn Care Net is actually an Evangelical Christian network of crisis pregnancy centers, operating primarily in the United States. As an anti-abortion organization, it's centers seek to persuade women not to have abortions. If you are unsure of a clinic, please research them and ask for assistance from trusted activists when making your decision. Please email [email protected] if you are unsure and we will work with you to get you the information you need. 

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Bans Off Our Bodies National Walkout: Wednesday, July 13th, 2022
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/rightfully-ours/bans-off-our-bodies
The end of Roe is not business as usual. Stripping people of their right to abortion will have dangerous consequences. This ruling harms people of all genders, incomes, and backgrounds  — including workers, businesses, and the economy. It jeopardizes the future of work and each worker’s future. Now is the time to use your platform and your influence to support reproductive rights, and members of the business community are speaking out by walking out. If you are able to leave work, join your peers across the country in a national walkout on Wednesday, July 13.
The Bans Off Our Bodies Walkout is a national day of action to amplify the fight for abortion rights across the U.S., show support for abortion providers, and set the stage for future actions over the next few months. It will make it clear that we won’t back down — not now, not ever. 
People can participate in two different ways: 
1) Walk out from work on July 13 at 4:00 p.m. local time. For those who are able, walkout participants will turn on an out-of-office message explaining that they have joined folks across the country in leaving work early to call attention to abortion rights. On top of the out-of-office message, participants will post a graphic and caption to their social channels about the walkout. 
2) Post in solidarity with walkout participants and abortion providers. For those who are not able to leave work early, participants will post a graphic and caption to their social channels on July 13 at 4:00 p.m. local time in solidarity with walkout participants and abortion providers.
Important Legal Note:  Walking out from the job can carry legal or employment consequences, including termination of employment, depending on your employer and locale. Anyone considering participating in the Bans Off Our Bodies Walkout should consult with their employer and/or legal counsel as appropriate. 
Nothing on this site is - or is intended to be - legal advice, or a recommendation that anyone walk out of their job without carefully considering all potential consequences. 

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Endorse Vermont’s Reproductive Liberty Amendment
Have questions? Please contact Charlie Gliserman, Policy & Prop 5 Campaign Manager at [email protected] or (802) 338-6811.
The Reproductive Liberty Amendment, previously Prop 5, will be a ballot measure in Vermont's 2022 General Election. If passed, it would amend Vermont's constitution to protect every person's right to make their own reproductive decisions, like whether and when to become pregnant, use temporary or permanent birth control, or seek abortion care. 
An endorsement is a public statement of support for the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, which may be featured on the Vermont for Reproductive Liberty website (reprolibertyvt.org) and its campaign communications. 
An endorsement is a powerful way to show Vermont that you or your organization is proud to support the Reproductive Liberty Amendment. Join us in this campaign, powered by and for Vermonters, to protect reproductive freedom for all.
You can find the endorsement form HERE.
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WeCAN WEDNESDAYS

     Exciting news: WeCAN is co-sponsoring a series of events this Summer with Brattleboro Democrats and Rep. Emilie Kornheiser! The series continues on July 13th, 2022 and runs through August. Join us at the Brattleboro Town Common where we will celebrate politics, get to know candidates new and old, and maybe even throw ourselves a 5 year birthday party...we can't wait to see you there!
You can find more information below in this email or go to https://www.wecantogether.net/wecan_wednesdays_2022, where these events will have a dedicated space on our website. 
Upcoming Schedule
Wednesday, July 13rd, 2022 at 5pm: Meet the Candidates: Sit at the Long Table
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 at 5pm: Meet the Candidates: Policy Huddles
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 5pm: Primary Day Celebration/ WeCAN's 5th Birthday Party! (The date on the graphic is incorrect)

If you would like to volunteer or set up a table for your organization, please use the following links:

Click here to volunteer: https://www.emiliekornheiser.org/volunteer/
Click here to sign up to table or represent a candidate: https://forms.gle/4JuNT7Uw1hwQkHGp8

If you would like to sign up to help at the WeCAN table, please email us at [email protected] Thank you!

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HAPPENING TODAY,
SUNDAY, JULY 10th, 2022

Share the Harvest Stand
brought to you by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 at the Corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 11am-1pm.
Questions or need a different time to drop off veggies? Email Marilyn at [email protected].
Pick up fresh, local veggies for free! 
Do you have extra veggies from your garden? Drop them off at the stand between 10:30am-11:30am to share with your community!
Vegan/GF Everyone Eats! meals will be available as well, first come, first served.

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
MONDAY, JULY 11th, 2022-SUNDAY, JULY 17th, 2022

A Silent Vigil of Loving Kindness
Monday, July 11th, 2022 at Wells Fountain (298-250 VT-30, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 4:30pm-5:30pm.
For further information and to be on the mailing list for future vigils, please contact Tim Stevenson, [email protected]
Under a banner that reads, “Holding a Space of Loving Kindness for All Living Beings,” we conduct a silent vigil every other Monday, 4:30pm-5:30pm, at Wells Fountain across from Brooks Library and the Municipal Building, downtown Brattleboro
Our purpose is to serve as a living reminder of the inherent goodness of each of us, as well as our inextricable connection with one another.
For a few minutes or the entire hour, all are welcome to join us in extending sentiments of loving kindness to all living beings: to family and friends, neighbors and strangers, kindred spirits and adversaries, human and non-human beings, alike. And to ourselves, as well. People may choose to stand, kneel, or sit in a chair they bring, or on one of the stone benches circling the Fountain.
Tim Stevenson
Founding Director
Post Oil Solutions
www.postoilsolutions.org
802.869.2141

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Pierce’s Summer Food Pop-Ups!
hosted by the Putney Foodshelf and Food 4 Kids
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022
Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at Pierce’s Dance Hall (121 East Putney Falls Road, Putney, VT). (The image attached is incorrect and should read 121 East Putney Falls Road). 1pm-2:30pm.
All are welcome.
Free Summer food for all. Putney area families and individuals are encouraged to attend. Fresh produce and other groceries are available! 

*the correct address is 121 East Putney Falls Road

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WeCAN Wednesdays
sponsored by Brattleboro Democrats and WeCAN: Windham County Action Network
Every Other Wednesday Through August on the Brattleboro Town Common (Park Pl, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 5pm-7pm
Wednesday, July 13th, 2022: Sit at the Long Table
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022: Policy Huddles
Tuesday, August 9th, 2022: Primary Celebration/WeCAN's 5th Birthday Party!

Click here to volunteer: https://www.emiliekornheiser.org/volunteer/
Click here to sign up to table or represent a candidate: https://forms.gle/4JuNT7Uw1hwQkHGp8

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Guilford Cares Food Pantry
Thursday, July 14th, 2022 at the Guilford Fairgrounds (163 Fairground Rd, Guilford, VT 05301). 3pm-4pm. 
If you have questions, concerns or would like to donate groceries or monetary gifts please contact Pat Haine 802-257-0626. For additional questions or more information call 802 579 1350 or email [email protected]. 
Guilford Cares Food Pantry has moved! The Pantry has moved to the First Aid building at the Guilford Fairgrounds. We will be fully stocked with all our usual grocery items.
The Fairgrounds are on Fairground Road, just off Weatherhead Hollow Road. From Guilford Center Road turn onto Weatherhead Hollow Road. Travel 1.7 miles down the road. The Fairgrounds are on the left and there will be a sign directing you up the hill for about .2 miles. The red building is on the left with a sign out in front. Please remain in your car; we’ll greet you,  and give you a shopping list as we have been doing for the past year.
If the Pantry will be closed for any unexpected reason, the closure will be announced on WKVT, WTSA, and Front Porch Forum.
If you cannot come to the Pantry due to illness or high risk, you can call also call Pat to arrange for food delivery by a volunteer.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy.
Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

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Wichie Artu Listening Tour
hosted by Wichie for Windham County
Thursday, July 14th, 2022: Healthcare, location TBD. 7pm-8pm.
Thursday, July 21st, 2022: Rural Economy, location TBD. 7pm-8pm.
Join a roundtable listening session, and speak to your experience on issues impacting Windham County. Share your story, be heard, and shape how Wichie seeks to affect change in the Vermont Legislature.

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Share the Harvest Stand
brought to you by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, July 17th, 2022 at the Corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 11am-1pm.
Questions or need a different time to drop off veggies? Email Marilyn at [email protected].
Pick up fresh, local veggies for free! 
Do you have extra veggies from your garden? Drop them off at the stand between 10:30-11:30 to share with your community!
Vegan/GF Everyone Eats! meals will be available as well, first come, first served.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Vermont Food Bank’s Veggie Van Go Upcoming Schedule
The First and Third Mondays of Every Month in the parking lot across the street from the main entrance to Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Please, no early birds. 
Questions? Call 1-800-585-2265 or email [email protected] 
Veggie Van Go is a program through the Vermont Foodbank that gives out free produce and local food for people to take home.
ATTENTION: Starting in May, the VT Foodbank asks that participants arrive at the Brattleboro Union High School no earlier than 9:45am. Cars that arrive early will be turned away until the start of the event. 
July 18th, 2022

Important information:

• Drive through model- please stay in your vehicles
• If you are walking there: see a Vermont Foodbank associate but please make sure to stay 6 feet back.
• There are no income requirements, registration or paperwork to participate
• You do not need to be present to get food: you may ask someone to pick up on your family's behalf.

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Brattleboro Democracy Forum: Racism, Secrecy, Lies and the Ascent of Donald Trump with Nick Biddle and Friends
Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) or Online. 6:30pm-8pm.
To join Democracy Forum Meeting on Zoom, click this link on July 19th, 2022: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86181587319
Two overwhelming forces have combined to shape the Republican Party. The first is racism, America’s oldest, most damaging evil.  The second is secrecy compelled by the politics of nuclear weaponry.  Fifty-eight years ago the Republican Party embraced a strategy to attract white voters by appealing to racism against Blacks.  Fifty-eight years ago Democrats manufactured a lie about events in the Gulf of Tonkin to justify launching a war in Vietnam.  This presentation will demonstrate how the Republican use of racism and National Security secrecy and lies created the conditions that empowered Donald Trump and his very real threat to democracy.
Zoom Information:
Meeting ID: 861 8158 7319
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Meeting ID: 861 8158 7319
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc1ZdMKiQB

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Summer of Solidarity
Friday, August 5th, 2022 at Pliny Park (corner of High Street and Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-6pm.
Solidarity Fridays: A collective action focusing on connected global, national, and local outrages. These actions are organized by a coalition of organizations: Brattleboro Solidarity, The Root Social Justice Center, Lost River Racial Justice, Tenants Union of Brattleboro, and 350 Brattleboro. We act with these shared principles:

• Everyone should have what they need.
• People's lives must be valued over profit.
• All of our struggles are tied together.

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New Community Food Initiatives

Free Summer Meals for Kids and Teens
Find a site near you! Text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or go to www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids

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Have You Heard of Farm Stand Together?
Find more info and apply here: https://www.farmstandtogethervt.org/
Delicious Food on your Terms in your Community! From their site: 
"We believe that everyone should have access to the delicious foods Vermont farmers are growing and making. 
The Farm Stand Together mutual food aid program will be providing gift cards for use at a small selection of farm stands across Vermont. The program is in trial and access in this first round will be limited. 
Gift cards will work like regular credit cards at participating farm stands, and can be used to purchase any items at the stand. They can be spent all at once or over time."
Buy what you want and need – there are no strings attached to your gift card. Shop at the location that's most accessible to you.
Use your Farm Stand Together gift card to reduce the cost of buying local food.
Buy food grown and produced thoughtfully to provide nutritious – and delicious – food.
Keep Vermont money in the Vermont community. Shop for your groceries from farmers and producers in your own area.

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ONGOING EVENTS

Recovery Families
hosted by Turning Point
Fridays at Turning Point of Windham County Recovery Center (39 Elm Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-11am. 
Young children welcome!
Join other caregivers for connection and support of your own recovery journey or that of someone you love. 

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Taking Steps Brattleboro, a program of Brattleboro Area Hospice is offering Advance Care Planning Weekly Zoom Information Sessions on Wednesdays from 10am-11am.
If you are interested in attending the Zoom info session, or want more information about Advance Care Planning, please contact Ruth Nangeroni, Advance Care Planning Program Coordinator at 802-257-0775 ext 101 or [email protected]
Advance care planning ensures that your loved ones and health professionals know what you  want in a medical emergency when you are unable to speak for yourself. It’s a process of creating a written health care plan(advance directive) that tells others what you would want if you couldn’t tell them yourself.
Advance Care Planning includes discussing choices about end-of-life (EOL) care with your medical provider, family and others. It involves choosing and educating your Health Care Agent and making informed decisions to complete an Advance Directive. Join us and learn more. Find out if adding a COVID-19 or Dementia provision would be beneficial to include or add to a previously completed Advance Directive.
Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning. BAH is 100% locally funded, and provides services free of charge. Services are available to anyone living in southeastern Vermont or bordering New Hampshire towns.
Advance Care Planning: It’s how people care for one another.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCES

The Village Closet
on the Wintson Prouty Campus (60 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in Croker Hall.
Open Wednesdays from 4pm-6pm and Saturdays from 10am-12pm, or
by appointment. For more information, please email [email protected]
Your source for free baby, children, and pregnancy clothing/items. Donations of gently used items accepted. We are collecting new and "like new" children's coats and winter gear for our Kids in Coats partnership with United Way of Windham County.  If you have items to donate, please stop by today if you are able!
On Wednesdays, Everyone Eats will be distributing free dinners on campus from 3:30pm-4:30pm.

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FREE HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN WINDHAM COUNTY

Brigid’s Kitchen, St. Michael’s Church, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro 802-254-6800 or 802-558-6072 
Grab-and-go lunches and fruit/nuts on Mon, Weds, Thus, and Sat, 11:30am-12:20pm.

Loaves and Fishes, Centre Congregational Church 193 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-4730
Grab-and-go lunches on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm.

VT Foodbank and Veggie Van Go will be at Brattleboro Union High School (Fairground Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the parking lot, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 10am-11am. Drive up, touchless pickup. Walkers welcome, too. Call VT 211 for more information. 

Foodworks, the food shelf program of the Groundworks Collaborative https://groundworksvt.org (802) 490-2412, [email protected] 
Foodworks has open hours for curbside pickup on Mondays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 1pm-6pm, Fridays 12pm-4pm, last Saturday of each month from 9am-12pm. Deliveries are available onTuesdays across Windham county. Please email [email protected] or call 802-490-2412 with any questions!
Households in need of food are asked to call or email to coordinate delivery. There is an urgent need for volunteers, and Foodworks has set up protocols to keep staff, volunteers, and clients as safe as possible. Please email us at [email protected] if you are able to help.

Marlboro Community Food Share
hosted by the Marlboro Community Center
Wednesday 10am-2pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-12pm; Saturday 10am-12pm at the Marlboro Community Center (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT, 05344). 
The Marlboro Community Center invites you to fill a bag with non-perishable grocery items. Food is set up in the main space and is available during our open hours. Eggs and produce on Thursdays as available. No registration or eligibility required. Deliveries can be made through Marlboro Cares for those needing assistance. Please call Marlboro Cares at 258-3030 in advance to arrange a delivery.
To donate food:
Leave non-perishable food in the donation box at the Marlboro Post Office. It will be collected on a weekly-basis. (Please note that this box previously supplied the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, which is now distributing food exclusively from VT Food Pantry) 
Gardeners and farmers are welcome to donate produce. Wear masks and wash hands when harvesting and handling food. Fresh produce can be dropped off at the Community Center on Thursday between 1pm and 4pm. (Any leftover produce will be taken to FoodWorks the following morning)

Guilford Food Pantry 
Every Thursday at the Guilford Fairgrounds. 5pm-6pm.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy. Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

Putney Foodshelf Weekly Open Hours 
Fridays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Saturdays at Christian Square, Putney, VT, 05346. 9am-10:30am. (NEW HOURS!)
We also have a food drop at the Putney Meadows parking lot every 4th Thursday, from 9am-9:45am.
Message us on our FB page HERE, call 802.387.8551, or email [email protected] with questions. www.putneyfoodshelf.org
Curbside Open Hours. All are welcome - we just ask you to provide your town of residence and number in household for our data tracking purposes.
Stay in your car, please. Volunteers will take your order and bring out boxes of food, including nonperishable items, fresh produce, paper goods, meat, and dairy products.

Everyone Eats continues, including grab-and-go meals at these times and locations: 

• There is no longer an Everyone Eats distribution at Turning Point on Sundays, as Edible Brattleboro is dormant in the winter.
• The meals at Retreat Farm are stocked in their farm stand for pick up anytime, first come first serve. We are planning to stock on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Folks receiving services through Foodworks, Loaves and Fishes, and the Brattleboro Community Justice Center can obtain free meals through those organizations.
You can also order Everyone Eats! meals directly from participating restaurants using the Localvore App.

Our Place Drop-In Center at 4 Island Street, Bellows Falls, VT, 05101. Call us at 802-463-2217 for assistance. Email at [email protected] Please wear a mask to keep our employees and yourself safe.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday: 8:30am-4pm
Thursday: 8:30am-1pm
Friday: 8:30am-4pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Our Place Drop-In Center operates a food pantry and meal site where they serve breakfast with to-go meals that are ready for pickup by 9am. Lunch is ready by 11:30am. 
Everyone is welcome to stop by to get a meal. At this time we are allowing only employees in the building.

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ADDITIONAL COVID 19 RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND AT THEIR PERMANENT HOME ON OUR WEBSITE, HERE: https://www.wecantogether.net/covid19_resources

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System

When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 1pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM. To stream live, visit: www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353. 

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We are all in this together, Friends. Keep going. 

Your Friendly WeCAN Editor,

Joanna and Sam