2023 Bridging 23 Unity Walk
June 10, 2023 @ 10:00AM — 3:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Washtenaw County Farm Park in Ann Arbor TO Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti: STARTS: 2230 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - ENDS: 1043 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Get Directions
Bridging 23 Unity Walk
The Unity walk was born out of a Bridging 23 restorative community circle and has been spearheaded by community members since 2017. It was built on the foundation of taking action and bringing public visibility to the inequities between the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor communities. Bridging US 23 is an initiative developed by The Dispute Resolution Center in collaboration with The Association for Youth Empowerment (AYE). It is dedicated to transforming the way the people of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and the surrounding counties relate to one another. Bridging US 23 was founded on the belief that when people unite for the greater good, positive change is inevitable. Our ultimate goal is to connect communities, inspire compassion and take action to call forth the beloved community.
WHAT IS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE?
The DRC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, community dispute resolution program partnering with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office to offer a healing approach outside of the criminal legal system.
The Restorative Justice Program is an alternative to the traditional criminal legal system that offers a survivor centered and healing model to address wrongdoing, harm or crime.
The restorative justice approach is deeply rooted in North American Indigenous cultural and sacred practices to address harm or wrongdoing between all involved.
Restorative or healing circles aim to:
- Create a safe space for all involved to address the harm(s)
- Provide a safe space for the survivor to be heard
- Provide a safe space for the person who committed the harm(s) to make amends
- Assist the survivor and the one who caused the harm to create a plan for re-entering their communities.
- Create understanding, connection, and reconciliation.
2023 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
This year we will be elevating criminal legal reform advocacy, initiatives, and programs happening throughout Washtenaw County.
Speaker program will begin at 12:30 PM at Brown Chapel AME Church. Stay tuned for more details!
HONORING BLACK LEGACIES
We continue to honor local black history in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and bring forth the contributions of the black community - past, present, and future.
We want to ensure that black legacies and voices in our community are not erased from our local history; that the truth of black history is celebrated and honored with reverence; and to embrace and celebrate the deep cultural roots of the black community that enriches us all.
We are proud to partner again and end in fellowship at the historic Brown Chapel A.M.E Church in Ypsilanti.
IN 1843, Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church came into existence as a mission without a name - 22 yrs after slaves were freed.
As the Second oldest active A.M.E. Church in Michigan, it is likely that Brown Chapel at Adams and Buffalo assisted in the safe travel through Ypsilanti visit the underground railroad of many slaves on their way to the “Promised Land” of Canada.
All proceeds support the DRC's Restorative Justice Program, in partnership with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.
A big thank you to our sponsors!
Community Peace Builder
Washtenaw County Government
Changemaker
Ambassador
Cassie Cammann
Al Raymond
Ted & Eileen Thacker
Friend of the DRC
Eastern Michigan University
