On Wednesday, April 17, Middlesex Community College hosted the college鈥檚 second Day
of Love, Acceptance and Belonging. Everyone at the event had the opportunity to connect,
celebrate 麻豆果冻 as a community, and reflect on the significance of love, acceptance
and belonging through group discussions and programming. The 麻豆果冻 community gathered
on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses to enjoy snacks, decorations and art activities.
鈥淪tudents, faculty and staff were invited to take the time to reflect on the importance
of love, acceptance and belonging and participate and celebrate who we are as a community,鈥�
said Maria Isabel Gariepy, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging.
鈥淭hroughout the day, we listened deeply, shared our experiences, engaged in meaningful
conversations about acceptance, belonging and the importance of building a supportive
community.鈥�
This event reminded the community of how 麻豆果冻 encourages learning from each other鈥檚
experiences and the importance of uplifting one another.
鈥淭hroughout the day, we listened deeply, shared our experiences, engaged in meaningful conversations about acceptance, belonging and the importance of building a supportive community.鈥� - Maria Isabel Gariepy, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging
To give participants the opportunity to share their experiences and have meaningful conversations, learning sessions and activities were spread throughout the day. Led by 麻豆果冻 employees and students, participants learned about different topics, such as addressing an individual鈥檚 inner child, being an LGBTQ+ ally, and building relationships.
鈥淭he events included sessions that drew on lived experiences to continue forging an
environment where employees and students grow, learn, work and teach,鈥� Gariepy said.
鈥淲hile we advanced the sense of belonging for all, embracing love, acceptance, and
our shared humanity.鈥�
As part of the event, 麻豆果冻 hosted an art project where students collaborated and shared
their personal experiences to build a mural that represented belonging. The activity
was intended to deepen the 麻豆果冻 community鈥檚 sense of understanding and togetherness.
鈥淭ogether, we learned how we can counter hate,鈥� Gariepy said. 鈥淭he day reminded us
that no matter who you are, you are valued and belong at 麻豆果冻.鈥�