The Root Social Justice Center

06/05/2026

Two Adventures, One Evening: Youth & Adult Dungeons & Dragons Sessions! Meets Sundays June 7th and 21st

The Root Social Justice Center invites both youth and adult adventurers to join our bi-monthly Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) Game Nights, part of our HIP – Healing In Practice program. These spaces center multiracial healing, creativity, and connection through storytelling and play.

Both Groups meet concurrently Sunday June 7th 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM and Sunday June 21st 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at The Root, 28 Williams Street in Brattleboro!

Youth DnD (ages 12–17) No experience is needed—we provide character sheets, dice, and guidance from experienced Dungeon Masters. Register in advance with a parent or guardian at tinyurl.com/RootYouthDnD or contact [email protected].

Adult DnD (18+) meets concurrently on the same schedule, offering a relaxed, community-focused space for shared stories, games, and connection. We are currently seeking a Dungeon Master to lead the adult campaign. Sign up or learn more at [email protected]

Bring your dice, your imagination, and your whole self. Come build worlds, connect with others, and have some epic fun together!

06/05/2026

Join the conversation: Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Systems Panel (RDAP)

🗓 Tuesday, June 9th (and every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
⏰ 5:30PM–7:30PM
🔗 Zoom: tinyurl.com/RDAP26

The Racial Disparities in the Criminal and Juvenile Systems Panel (RDAP) is an open public meeting where everyone is welcome to join the conversation. This panel works to address and eliminate racial disparities within Vermont’s juvenile/DCF and criminal justice systems.

Shela Linton, Executive Director of The Root Social Justice Center, has served on this panel since its inception in 2017. Appointed by the Attorney General, Shela represents Black and BIPOC community voices, ensuring that the most impacted perspectives are central to the discussion.

Community participation is encouraged—whether you’d like to speak, share insights, or simply listen. To add an agenda item reach out to Todd Daloz at [email protected] or Anne Walker at [email protected].

Zoom Meeting Details:
🔗 tinyurl.com/RDAP26
Meeting ID: 895 5327 7639
Passcode: 135000

📖 Learn More:
For additional information about RDAP, visit the panel’s webpage at tinyurl.com/RDAPinfo

Let’s work together to create a more equitable justice system!!

06/05/2026

Families United Peer Support Group meets virtually Sunday June 21st

Families United hosts a monthly virtual sessions to hold space for those of us impacted by DCF. Whether you are a parent that has had DCF involvement, a person who has had loved ones involved with DCF, or a person who had involvement as a child or youth, this group is for you. Come join us to participate in collective healing where you share your experience and feelings with people who get it.

Meets virtually Sunday June 21st, 6:30p–8p

To register: email [email protected] or call (802) 451-0468

06/05/2026

Families United Movement Building Group meets virtually Sunday June 14th

Families United hosts a monthly virtual session to help change the DCF foster care system. Many who are familiar, know that the DCF system is broken. If you want to be a part of making the system better for children, youth and families, come join us!

Meets virtually Sunday June 14th, 6:30p–8p

To register: email [email protected] or call (802) 451-0468

06/05/2026

SYNC Playgroup Now Welcomes Children of All Ages!

Saturday, June 6th. 1:00pm to 2:30pm.
At Early Educations Services:
130 Birge Street, Brattleboro VT
To RSVP call 802-416-1563

SYNC Playgroup is a welcoming space for neurodiverse children, siblings, and caregivers to connect, play, and build community in a supportive environment.

This playgroup is open to families with children with autism, suspected autism, developmental delays, sensory needs, communication differences, and other brain-based differences.

Families are invited to join us for connection, community, and play.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

06/04/2026

An opportunity for our friends in Putney to participate in a community conversation on policing. RSVP link in the post 👇🏾

The Town of Putney Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is hosting a community conversation about Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, its effects on our community, and what it means for local law enforcement and immigration.

Weds, June 17th, 2026

5-6 PM FREE Dinner - Menu in RSVP
6-8 PM Forum

At Putney Central School

Please RSVP at bit.ly/FairForum

Guest speakers will include Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson, Vermont State Police Lt. Todd Wilkins, Dr. Cliff Wood, Chair of W.C. Sheriff’s Advisory Committee, State Senator Nader Hashim, Moderated by Kerry Amidon - Filmed by BCTV

06/03/2026

👉🏾The I Am Vermont Too Photo-Story Project has some exciting opportunities happening this month!

📸 Photo Booth at Environmental Justice Summit: We Are One Vermont
Friday, June 12th from 5:45pm - 7:15pm
North Branch Education Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier.
Summit Registration form: https://environmentaljusticevt.wordpress.com/ej-summit-2026/

📸 Photo Booth at Juneteenth Block Party
Friday, June 19th from 12pm to 5pm
Richard Kemp Center, 372 N. Winooski, Burlington.

🖼️ Photo Exhibit at Shelburne Farms Coach Barn
A special photo exhibit that focuses on BIPOC involved in the food system
Now through August 23rd from 9:00am to 5pm
2009 N Gate Rd, Shelburne, VT

The I Am Vermont Too photo-story project uplifts the voices and lived experiences of BIPOC folks living, working and going to school in Vermont— highlighting the impact of racial microaggressions and offering a platform to be seen and heard.

For more information contact [email protected]

06/03/2026

Join us for Out in the Open's annual Pride Family Potluck, Sunday, June 7th, from noon - 3:00pm at SUSU Community Farm!

The Root is once again joining our friends from Out in The Open and SUSU CommUNITY Farm, and we are excited to see you there too! Come eat, play, and celebrate Pride and collective Liberation!

At The Root, we know that Pride is deeply connected with our racial justice work. For Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are LGBTQ+, q***r, trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-expansive, our identities and lived experiences are not separate but beautifully interwoven. This gathering is an opportunity to celebrate and affirm the fullness of who we are, build connections across communities, and spend time in a BEAUTIFUL, natural, setting.

Please bring a dish to share, if you can, as well as your favorite outdoor blanket or lawn chair! We will provide vegan & meat burgers and hotdogs + buns, condiments, & soft drinks! There will be bubbles and toys and good music! All ages and identities welcome but please leave all animal friends at home, unless they are a registered service animal.

See you at SUSU CommUNITY Farm at 94 River Rd, Newfane, VT, 05345 on Sunday, June 7th, from noon - 3:00pm.

Out in The Open is still looking for volunteers for the Pride Family Potluck! If you are interested in setting up, cleaning up, parking support, or grilling, please reach out to [email protected] with your interest!

06/03/2026

Join us for the Beautiful and Ugly Too Poetry Tour!

The BIPOC Writers Group is excited to host a very special poetry reading and discussion with Chuck Perkins on Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 PM.

Chuck Perkins is an Ex-Marine, poet, essayist, and owner of the New Orleans performance venue Café Istanbul. Born and raised in New Orleans, Chuck’s work speaks from the perspective of the Black working poor and offers a powerful, honest, and deeply human look at life in the Crescent City.

His first book, Beautiful and Ugly Too, is a collection of poetry and essays that explores New Orleans history and culture, while also opening up larger conversations about race, class, survival, memory, and what connects us as people.

This is a beautiful opportunity to gather in community, hear powerful work, and be part of a thoughtful conversation about poetry, place, and lived experience.

Beautiful and Ugly Too Poetry Tour
Saturday, June 6
At The Root Social Justice Center
28 Williams street, Brattleboro, Vermont,
5:00 PM

Hosted by the BIPOC Writers Group.

We hope to see you there!

06/02/2026

The Putney Planning Commission is currently engaged in a Comprehensive Village Plan Project.

This is a community engagement effort to envision the Putney Village, with a goal of developing a set of funding-ready projects to include housing, green space, walkability, arts & cultural opportunities, economic development and more. You can learn more details about this project here: https://cms3.revize.com/revize/putney/Documents/Government/Boards%20And%20Committees/Planning%20Commission/Planning%20Studies%20And%20Other%20Information/Comprehensive%20Village%20Plan/09.05.25%20PC%20Comprehensive%20Village%20Plan%20FAQs%20.pdf?t=202511261952270&t=202511261952270