As an approach to improving community health, the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center brought together 16 youth, half of whom identify as white and half of whom identify as people of color, to participate in a year-long racial healing and reconciliation process. Through readings, racial affinity groups, workshops, healing circles and speak outs, the youth are challenged to move beyond purely intellectual conversations about race and racism and are supported by each other and a team of community organizers and social workers, to experience the feelings that come up when we talk about racism and understand the ways it shapes our existence. The youth invited a camera to follow some of their activities, community teachings, and an emotional speak out activity. We want to share with you this video documenting part of their process and their call to action.
Please take 15mins to watch this video and allow yourself to have, and even express, the feelings that come up. That is their charge to us. Racial healing is the work required for and by each of us so we can live into our full humanity.
“Racial equity is about the system, racial healing is about the individual. This is what America Healing is about.” – Rinku Sen, Applied Research Center.
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, Boston Public Health Commission, produced by Intercultural Productions.

Still from the Racial Healing and Reconciliation Documentary Project

As an approach to improving Community Health, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center is working with a group of 12 youth – 6 white plus 6 youth of color- in a racial healing and reconciliation process. Throughout readings, affinity groups, workshops, speak outs and community teaching, youth are challenged and supported to move beyond purely intellectual conversations about racism and transform into racial justice activist. Boston Public Health Commission, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center in collaboration with Intercultural Productions.

PLACE MATTERS is a major initiative of the Joint Center to build the capacity of community leaders to address social, economic and environmental conditions in communities that shape health and health outcomes. PLACE MATTERS is designed to improve the health outcomes of participating communities through shared learning experiences. The program assists participating teams in developing and implementing community-based strategies to address the social factors that determine health. The PLACE MATTERS initiative aims to address health equity by cultivating new leadership and advancing the Fair Health Movement one community at a time.