Welcome to our third thematic edition of The Bridge.

At a time when many communities in Beaver County are experiencing loss and disunity, we wanted to create an intentional space for reflection and honest grappling with the heaviness of today. In this edition of The Bridge, you'll find a variety of responses from Beaver County residents.

We asked Beaver County residents

1. Where do you see hope right now?
2. How do we dignify one another even when we disagree?
3. What makes a community whole?
4. Each resident responded as part of a video interview — which you can watch here — through a creative submission, or by responding via social media.
5. Our greatest desire is for The Bridge to be a space where people feel hopeful and seen and not alone; where we become active together and dismantle the harmful things we've historically said about ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities.
6. Feel free to share this edition on social media and use #thebridgenews tell us your answers to the above three questions.
7. Last note: this edition is quite long — be sure to hit "view entire message'" or "view in browser" once you've scrolled as far as your email will let you (there's plenty more to see 😊).
8. By Erik Rusilko
9. Hope seems scarce now. The world currently seems as if the garden of hope has been paved over. Yet, as we see in the real world, that garden still persists. Through the cracks of struggle, one plant persists, and sprouts through the cracks. Though frail, it erodes the surrounding concrete, and carves space that allows for more to grow. Soon, that pavement is no longer a barrier, but a catalyst for a garden of stronger, more interconnected, and deeply rooted plants.
10. Even nature demonstrates the importance of community. Beneath our feet, fungi interweaves its hyphae into the roots of every tree in a forest, creating means for connection, communication, support, sustainability, and growth. Each tree stands independently, yet their roots are woven together. Through this network, each tree is given adequate water, sugar, and strength for the whole forest to thrive. The young trees support the old, and the old guide the young. Even warnings of danger travel through these threads. Because of this community, the forest not only survives, but flourishes. Should this not be the same for us? To thrive as a people in Beaver County, we must weave ourselves together to create that community so we may flourish, so we may be whole.
11. By Kate Trimble
12. When I spend time in my little shared garden space with my neighbor and see our humble tomatoes plants ripening, I remember when we planted them in May on Mother’s Day, wondering if they would even take. Hoping that they would. Dreaming of the pizzas and pastas to come. I wanted to capture this feeling in a painting and put it on my walls.
13. I also leave this painting unfinished because I have hope for tomorrow. The underpainting is uncovered, there’s more work to be done, we’re not done yet. I have hope that we will keep going, and trying, and maybe failing, but trying again anyway.
14. “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” -Audrey Hepburn
15. By Rashaud McKenzie Jr.
16. This is a song about remembering what unity was in times of struggle, miscommunication, and community. With some personal elements from me. Listen here or by clicking below.
17. By Andrew DiNardo
18. Sensing Hope
19. I see
20. Hope
21. In every life
22. Breathing in, out
23. Frail but upheld
24. I hear
25. Hope
26. Springing up
27. It’s faint
28. But real
29. I taste
30. Hope
31. At the table
32. With a friend
33. With a stranger
34. I touch
35. Hope
36. And I am healed
37. Weak still
38. But leaning, learning
39. I smell
40. Hope
41. Following a rain
42. Needed
43. Restoring
44. I sense
45. Hope
46. That can’t be shamed
47. That knows no county line
48. That can heal, does heal
49. By John Bryant
50. John describes his submissions in the following way: "Well I guess I'm attracted to strange signs of mercy and grace wherever I find them. The drawing of the people is called 'The Belly of the Whale is the Best Place to Sing,' and I drew it on a random sheet of paper I found at the Beaver County Courthouse while I was keeping a friend company. And it's about the long journey we all take together out of pride and lies, through trouble and loss (the wilderness), toward meaning and rest (the table)."
51. By Akyera Thompson
52. Can We?
53. what if we remember two things can be true & took time to nuance opposing perspectives?
54. what if we listen instead of just hearing & sought to understand?
55. what if we fight to find- even a little- common ground with our other?
56. can we unclench our jaws and open our hands?
57. can we remember what we needed as children and be that for our own today?
58. can we protest hope together and acknowledge the glimmers of it in the darkness?
59. i hope that we can.
60. By Dr. Don Sheffield
61. Do No Harm—By Thoughts, Words or Actions!
62. (For Equity, Mental Health, Bullying and Cross-Cultural Competency)
63. *School Version*
64. I’ll do ------ no harm ------ by words that I say.
65. And pledge to make my school, the best in every way.
66. It starts with me to keep my thoughts, respectful, kind and fair.
67. So, all my fellow students will return to me my share.
68. Do No harm, by actions, ------, words, or thoughts,
69. Remember when you come in here, everyone is taught
70. Respect, honor, and excellence, together we can achieve
71. Just do no harm and strive to show, the best of you and me.
72. Our diversity can be our strength, with skills learned to explore,
73. Not a melting pot but salad bowl, of lettuce, olives and more.
74. Let’s all prepare and learn the skills, yes lightly tossed we’ll be.
75. And do no harm will lead the way, to a world of unity.
76. Acknowledge ------ show attention ------ accept, and appreciate
77. Are basic to relating, to better communicate,
78. With the richness of our diversity, united, full, and free
79. America can be beautiful, God shed His grace on thee.
80. Our future can be one of peace if we just do our part,
81. To do no harm and guide the world, our youth can make a start.
82. We’ll show adults a better way, for teamwork rules our hearts,
83. And unify a divided state, and stop being torn apart.
84. By Carey McDougall
85. By Anonymous
87. By Daniel Rossi-Keen, PhD
88. Below is an excerpt from Daniel Rossi-Keen's recent Community Matters piece, now published on RiverWise's website and in each edition of The Bridge. Click here to read the full article.
89. Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and community development advocate. He is the executive director of RiverWise, a nonprofit focused on organizing community voice and power so that residents can reclaim agency over the future of Beaver County. Daniel’s writing is featured regularly in "The Bridge," a publication containing curated news and original stories for, by, and about residents of Beaver County. You can reach Daniel at [email protected].
90. Keep scrolling to find resources that promote hope, dignity and community wholeness. Some of those resources include podcasts, organizations, books, tools, people, products and more.
91. For the curious...
93. Curiosity as an Act of Courage
94. A conversation with journalist and bridge builder Mónica Guzmán on the power of curiosity in a polarized world. Read more. Listen to the podcast below via Spotify.
97. The Builders Movement seeks to equip citizens to overcome toxic polarization and solve our toughest problems together. According to their website, "if enough people adopt a Builders Mindset, we can replace our toxic “us vs. them” culture with one of curiosity, compassion, courage, and creative innovation."
98. The Builders mindset is rooted in what they call the 4Cs: curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity. "By adopting these values as daily habits, we promote flexible thinking, constructive problem solving, and respecting the dignity of all people," their website reads.
101. According to its website, "Better Together is an interfaith initiative of The King Center with the goal of spreading the message and practice of nonviolence as taught and practiced by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We call this Kingian Nonviolence."
102. "The Better Together initiative will guide participants in exploring the posture of love and nonviolence in their thinking, speaking, acting, and engaging by examining strategies to bridge racial divides and eradicate barriers to the Beloved Community. In addition, Better Together modules effectuate leadership development using evidence-based approaches that have been proven to transform individuals and cultures," the website reads.
104. Locally, Undivided In Christ is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational group of pastors and lay-leaders committed to seeing racial reconciliation and healing in Beaver County.
105. For those in need of inspiration....
107. Andrea Gibson, a poet and writer who died from cancer on July 14, 2025, posted a short video on Instagram back in November 2022 after the Club Q shooting. Here's a quote from the video:
108. "What I could be thinking about something in any given moment could be wrong and to always have a mind that is open to being changed... Because strength very often comes from unexpected places, because war and weapons will not be what saves us, and because the key to building a more compassionate world is keeping our minds supple, open to being taught and changed."
109. Mamá Networker is a podcast hosted by Caro Mojica, who was featured in the video at the top of this edition. According to the description on Spotify, the podcast is meant to be a space particularly for working moms to learn how to better balance work and life. In the episode below, Caro interviews author Paula M. Zaragoza.
111. The On Being with Krista Tippett podcast, according to its description on Spotify, offers "wisdom to replenish and orient in a tender, tumultuous time to be alive."
112. In this episode, host Krista Tippett starts out by saying, "Joy in human life is a resilience-making, life-giving birthright of being human. And to suggest you can't be joyful in a time like this is akin to the idea that you can't be hopeful unless everything has gone right for you. Joy is a companion to hope as a wellspring of resilience."
114. For those looking for practical application...
115. Here's how The Dignity Index describes itself on its website: "Our disagreements aren’t causing the divisions in our country; it’s what we do when we disagree. Do we treat the other side with dignity, or do we treat them with contempt? The first brings us together; the second drives us apart."
116. "We created The Dignity Index to show us the difference. To learn more about the principles of dignity and how they can be applied in our families, communities, workplaces, and country, check out The Dignity Index," the website reads.
120. Parents Are Human offers card decks with questions designed to bring people closer together. Some of the themed decks include Teenagers Are Human, Loving Is Human, Grief Is Human, and more. Decks are available in digital form and in 13+ languages.
122. Sharon McMahon is an author, speaker and a longtime government and law educator. She became known as "America's Government Teacher" during the 2020 election when she went viral for breaking down complex topics with a steadfast commitment to the facts. Her followers call themselves "Governerds." Follow her on social media @sharonsaysso and check out her publication called The Preamble which helps break down government and politics in a digestible, nonpartisan way.
124. "Dignity" by Donna Hicks, PhD (foreword by Desmond Tutu)
126. "Between the Listening and the Telling" by Mark Yaconelli
128. "The Spaces in Between" by Jaspreet Kaur (helps children find peace during the hustle and bustle)
130. "When You Wonder, You're Learning" by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski
132. "Resurrection" by Leo Tolstoy
134. "Strong Ground" by Brené Brown
136. "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life" by Marshall B Rosenberg, PhD
138. "The Breaking News" by Sarah Lynne Reul (helps children process devastating news)
140. "Making Stories: Law, Literature, Life" by Jerome Bruner
142. "Emergent Strategy" by Adrienne Maree Brown
144. "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker
146. "The Serviceberry" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
148. "Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective" by Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett (helps children who are feeling worried)
150. "The Culture of Education" by Jerome Bruner
152. "Grief is an Elephant" by Tamara Ellis Smith and Nancy Whitesides (helps children process the loss of loved ones)
154. "Philosophy and Social Hope" by Richard Rorty
156. "Democracy and Education" by John Dewey
158. "Here I can be Mindful" by Ally Condie (helps anxious children with mindfulness)
159. Donations for the family of Kendric Curtis, who was killed earlier this month by an ATF officer in Aliquippa, can be given to Stop the Violence before Friday, Oct. 10. Stop the Violence will be receiving donations for the funeral reception, including food, drinks and desserts. Contact Sandra Gilbert at 724-630-6755 to let her know what you would like to donate or to see what is still needed.
160. Thursday, Oct. 9
161. Science Spooktacular from 6 to 8 p.m. at Neighborhood North Museum of Play, 716 14th St., Beaver Falls.
162. Tuesday, Oct. 14
163. Free Air Monitors. Visit the Beaver Area Memorial Library, 100 College Ave., Beaver, either in person or via zoom at 6 p.m. to learn how to get a free air monitor for your home.
164. Wednesday, Oct. 15
165. Tree ID Hike with Reforest Our Future from 10 a.m. to noon at the Forest Exploration Center & Native Tree Nursery, 526 Brady's Run Road. Register here.
166. Saturday, Oct. 18
167. Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uncommon Grounds Cafe, 380 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa. Pumpkin painting, crafts, games, comfort food and drinks, fall photoshoot, face painting, and a costume parade at 1 p.m.
168. LibraryCon'25 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the CCBC Dome and Library, 1 Campus Dr., Monaca.
169. Thursday, Oct. 23
170. Crop & Kettle's Commencement Celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Northbridge Church, 216 Mystic Pine Trail, Cranberry Twp. Register here.
171. Friday, Oct. 24
172. Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chippewa Branch Library, 2811 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.
173. Saturday, Oct. 25
174. Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chippewa Branch Library, 2811 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.
175. The Bridge is a project of
177. The Bridge is a prototype for what RiverWise envisions as a growing center for relevant community news and resources for Beaver County residents.

OPPORTUNITIES

FOR FURTHER READING

On Being with Krista Tippet

Mamá Networker por Caro Mojica

DIVE DEEPER INTO HOPE, DIGNITY & COMMUNITY WHOLENESS

As I reflect on both my own community and the broader American experience at present, I — like so many others — am concerned that we are currently swimming in a sea of stories that makes it impossible for us to thrive. I am concerned that we have, as a nation, lost agency over the ways we describe ourselves, one another, and our shared experiences ...

... The greatest danger of swimming in this sea of toxic stories is less about what it actively inclines us to do and think, though that is indeed a grave danger. More and more, I suspect that the greatest danger of living daily inside this predictable story comes from what it makes impossible. The greatest danger, to put it differently, is not what this story illuminates, but what it obscures and what it forestalls ...

...Simply telling better stories will never be enough to get us out of the cultural bind we find ourselves in at present. But, whatever this next chapter of the human saga holds, I can assure you that the stories we tell ourselves and others will be at the very heart of whatever unfolds.

COMMUNITY MATTERS: Humanity desperately needs a different story

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HOPE, DIGNITY & COMMUNITY WHOLENESS