Two illustrated people having a conversation, represented by overlapping circles with speech bubbles between them.

Building Bridges is a campaign to bring the
North State together by focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us.

We strive to create a space where people can disagree while still respecting one another as human beings.

We have the opportunity in the North State to choose to listen to each other and create a culture of respect, belonging and civility.

Building Bridges is a non-partisan effort.

Will you join us and help create a new chapter of hope for our communities?

Attend an Upcoming Listening Session

Want to Help Shape Our Community? Our Listening Sessions are a space for your voice to be heard. We gather in smaller groups of 15 or fewer, with no set agenda, to discuss our aspirations for our community. We've had a great turnout so far, and we look forward to meeting and hearing from more of you!

Group of diverse people sitting in a circle and having a discussion in a classroom.

Stay tuned for upcoming sessions in 2026!

Watch a Learning Lounge

Illustration of a cozy living room setup with two colorful armchairs, one red and one yellow, positioned on a white rug with a small round coffee table in between holding a pink mug, against a green background.

Missed a Learning Lounge? Access the full list of recordings here!

Learning Lounge Recordings

Attend a Public Meeting

One of our goals through Building Bridges is to increase participation in the civic process by making it easy for everyone to engage. Check out the list of upcoming public meetings where your voice can make a difference! All community members are encouraged to attend, share their perspectives, and be part of important conversations.

Click on the drop-downs below for details on meeting schedules.

Two overlapping circular landscape photos of rivers and mountains, one with a bridge, under a partly cloudy sky.

Want to suggest a meeting that isn’t listed? Send us an email!

Email Us
A smiling young man in a white shirt with a yellow circle background, speaking about supporting the Building Bridges initiative for civic dialogue in Shasta County and the North State.

Sign our Support Statement Today!

Sign
Cover of a toolkit titled 'Building Bridges: Dialogue Over Division,' featuring diverse people and the United Way Northern California logo.

Download our Building Bridges Toolkit

Our free Building Bridges toolkit is grounded in an othering and belonging framework, which helps analyze how social divisions are maintained and how they can be bridged. It includes:

  • Valuable resources for both self-development and group exercises

  • Exercises that will help you listen empathetically and approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment

  • Useful tools for daily interactions with friends, family, coworkers—anyone!

Download our Building Bridges Toolkit to learn more and begin implementing bridge-building in your daily life.

Download our Toolkit

Engage with the material by reading a book from our reading list!

1. Stepping Forward: Richard C. Harwood

2. Unleashed: Richard C. Harwood

3. High Conflict: Amanda Ripley

4. I Never Thought of it That Way: Monica Guzman

5. How to Know a Person: David Brooks

6. Dare to Lead: Brene Brown

7. Atlas of the Heart: Brene Brown

8. How to be an Antiracist: Ibram X. Kendi

9. How to be a (Young) Antiracist: Ibram X. Kendi & Nic Stone

10. The Sum of Us: Heather McGhee

Two women sharing a joyful moment and laughing together in an office setting.
Download our Reading List

11. The Tyranny of Merit: Michael J. Sandel

12. The Politics of Resentment: Katherine J. Cramer

13. Rest is Resistance: Tricia Hersey

14. The Four Agreements: Don Miguel Ruiz

15. White Fragility: Robin Diangelo

16. The Body Keeps the Score: Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

17. The New Civic Path: Rich Harwood

18. Where We Stand Class Matters: Bell Hooks

19. Building a Vibrant Community: Quint Studer

20. Hearticulations: Jeff Brown

Made possible by our generous donors

  • Logo for The California Endowment with stylized yellow arch over blue text.

  • Logo of The McConnell Foundation with text indicating its location in Redding, California.

  • Sierra Health Foundation logo with a blue, swirling, circular design above the text.

  • Logo for The Ford Family Foundation featuring a stylized green leaf design and text.

  • Logo of Redding Ranger District, describing WinTu Pit River, Yanga with a circular emblem featuring a flying eagle, river scene, and feathers hanging from the border.

  • Logo with blue background and the text "PG&E" in white, with a gold ampersand.

  • Logo of the Community Foundation of the North State featuring a stylized circular wave design and text.

Questions?

Want more information on Building Bridges? Send us an email, and we would love to connect with you!

Email Us