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
- Where do you see hope right now?
- How do we dignify one another even when we disagree?
- What makes a community whole?
Each resident responded as part of a video interview — which you can watch here — through a creative submission, or by responding via social media.
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.
Feel free to share this edition on social media and use #thebridgenews tell us your answers to the above three questions.
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 😊).
HOPE, DIGNITY & COMMUNITY WHOLENESS
Submissions
INSTAGRAM RESPONSES
By Carey McDougall
By Anonymous
Community Matters
Community Matters is a column by Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., that was originally published in the Beaver County Times.
Dive deeper into hope, dignity and community wholeness
Keep scrolling to find resources that promote hope, dignity and community wholeness. Some of these resources include podcasts, organizations, books tools, people, products and more.
FOR THE CURIOUS...
Curiosity as an Act of Courage
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.
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."
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.
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."
"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.
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
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF INSPIRATION...
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:
"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."
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.
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."
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."
FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATION...
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."
"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.
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.
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.
FOR FURTHER READING
"Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict"
By Donna Hicks, Ph.D. (foreword by Desmond Tutu)
"The Spaces Between"
By Jaspreet Kaur
(This book book helps children find peace during the hustle and bustle)
"When You Wonder, You're Learning"
By Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski (foreword by Joanne Rogers)
"Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit"
By Brené Brown
"The Breaking News"
By Sarah Lynne Reul
(This book helps children process devastating news.)
"The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World"
By Robin Wall Kimmerer
"Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective"
By Elizabeth Olsen and Robbie Arnett
(This book helps children who are feeling worried.)
"Grief is an Elephant"
By Tamara Ellis Smith and Nancy Whitesides
(This book helps children process the loss of loved ones.)
"Here I Can Be Mindful"
By Ally Condie
(This book helps anxious children with mindfulness.)
Opportunities
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.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Science Spooktacular from 6 to 8 p.m. at Neighborhood North Museum of Play, 716 14th St., Beaver Falls.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
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.
Wednesday, Oct. 15
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.
Saturday, Oct. 18
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.
LibraryCon'25 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the CCBC Dome and Library, 1 Campus Dr., Monaca.
Thursday, Oct. 23
Crop & Kettle's Commencement Celebration from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Northbridge Church, 216 Mystic Pine Trail, Cranberry Twp. Register here.
Friday, Oct. 24
Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chippewa Branch Library, 2811 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.
Saturday, Oct. 25
Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chippewa Branch Library, 2811 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls.
The Bridge is a project of
The Bridge is a prototype for what RiverWise envisions as a growing center for relevant community news and resources for Beaver County residents.
Dani Brown
Dani Brown is the editor-in-chief of The Bridge and also works as RiverWise's Director of Strategic Communication. She's an award-winning journalist and former reporter for the Beaver County Times and USA Today Network.
Beaver Falls, Pa